T.C. Boyle’s Collected “Stories” Poke Fun at Love, Death … and Everything in Between
DIY MFA Reading List: “Collected Stories and Other Writings” by John Cheever
Cheever channels Kafka and Fitzgerald in his “Collected Stories and Other Writings”.
DIY MFA Reading List: “Jesus’ Son” by Denis Johnson
Denis Johnson’s starry-eyed protagonist fumbles towards ecstasy, in this lyrical collection of linked short stories about addiction, loss, and recovery.
DIY MFA Round 2: “Rabbit, Run” by John Updike
Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom can only be counted on to screw things up. Or just to screw.
DIY MFA Reading List: “American Tabloid” by James Ellroy
James Ellroy re-imagines American history in a highly stylized, ultra-violent, and chillingly detached novel of suspense.
The DIY MFA in Creative Writing
MFA programs help authors hone their craft. They’re also hugely expensive and, for full-time parents, the residency requirements can be impractical. Introducing the “DIY MFA in Creative Writing”.
Made To Be Broken
Never use the phrase “all hell broke loose” – and other tips for aspiring authors.
Peeling Back The Onion
Writing can be like peeling an onion: there are always more layers, new things to learn. And sometimes you just want to cry.
Local Hero
Searching for a satisfying, complex plot structure for your next story? Look no farther than your front window – the answer might be closer to home than you think.
Conflicted
Sometimes you can find conflict in the most mundane of settings … like the pediatrician’s office.