On May 22, PBS launched a new television series called The Great American Read. The goal is to discover the country’s most loved book. Following a nationwide survey of Americans, an advisory panel assembled an initial list of 100 possibilities. Over the next five months, the list will be whittled down via viewer voting until… Read more »
Writing is hard enough. You do it all by your lonesome, forever battling that cranky voice in your head that snipes at every word you write, and when that doesn’t stop you, switches tactics and suggests you have a snack. Or a nap. Or look, a squirrel! But you have the grit to keep writing… Read more »
Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have debut author Kimmery Martin on the show! Kimmery is an emergency medical doctor and, like me, a life-long literary nerd. On top of being a doctor, an author, and a mom, she writes book reviews and volunteers with the library foundation in her home… Read more »
In April, bestselling authors Steven James and Robert Dugoni taught the ninth Novel Writing Intensive (NWI) at the Eureka Inn, in Jonesborough, Tennessee. There were only twelve seats, and I managed to grab one before the event was waitlisted. (And I’m so glad!) It was an amazing chance to learn from two master storytellers. I… Read more »
Welcome to week three! In my last two articles I’ve discussed two major beats in every story: the disturbance and the care package. Both of these beats focus on how events or vulnerabilities impact or develop the Lead (i.e. – the protagonist). So you shouldn’t be surprised as we venture into James Scott Bell’s third… Read more »
Around the time I was getting ready to graduate with my BA in English, I made the decision not to pursue an MFA. Although I knew I had made the right decision for myself, I still didn’t know how I could be part of a writing community without going back to school for it (cue… Read more »
Hey there word nerds! OMG DIY MFA Radio is 200 episodes old! Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning of this journey or are just tuning in now, thank you for listening. Since this is our 200th episode, we’re doing things a little bit differently. Instead of being the interviewer, my producer Marielle Orff… Read more »
Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of talking with Dharma Kelleher on the show! Dharma Kelleher is the author of several gritty crime fiction novels from a transgender/queer perspective. She has worked as a radio news director and is a current member of Sisters in Crime, the International Thriller Writers, and the… Read more »
I’m guilty. Of overwriting. Of indulging in hooptedoodleeandering. But not always. I just completed National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). I wrote a poem and posted it on my blog everyday in April. I chose to do NaPoWriMo because I often overthink when I write, which leads me to overwrite. Or worse, freeze up and not… Read more »
One of the most fantastic things about writing short form work is the ability to submit it for publication in a literary magazine or journal. You can write something you’re truly proud of, have it published in print or online, and (in many cases) get paid for your words. It’s exciting to start collecting professional… Read more »
