Episode 004: “Why Can’t I Write,” I Write OR Inventing Trans Fat
Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of Pete Seeger. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.
Most writers, whether hobbyists or professionals, would defend that writing is a compulsion. Yet despite this apparent need, writers find a lot a lot of ways to procrastinate (creating this podcast being one). In this episode, three Velvet members discuss why writing is so necessary, what keeps us from writing when we know we should, what keeps us writing once we start, and how helpful are writing exercises (Writers Digest would say “very;” their bottom line depends on it).(WARNING: We like tangents. Be weary)
Episode Panelists:
Caleb/thirstygerbil (Moderator)
Mark/PocketFives
Rob/MuttersomeTaxicab
00:01:39
Episode Topic: Why aren’t you writing?!
Is getting a book on a shelf still a reasonable goal?
Writing allows us to deal with people. William S. Burroughs could only truly communicate through writing.
Writing keeps us from doing worse things to ourselves
Writing/reading offers a window to other people dealing with situations that may be similar to our own
In the same way folktales engage us, modern fiction, especially crime writing, engages us by passing on morality lessons
What inspires or motivates?
Knowing other people do it (and knowing about people like Stephen Graham Jones who writes a novel in 3 days AND has the time to keep a journal about the experience)
University writing workshops (with credit given to Tamas Dobozy and his story “The Encirclement” and Padgett Powell of The University of Florida)
Constant rejection
What are your writing goals?
Session-based word count goals
Truly writing for yourself (not for academics or any other specific audience). Academics are still skittish about an author like Paul Auster, and he’s relatively not threatening.
Rob wants to gain eligibility to apply for a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts
Have you tried writing Exercises?
Max Berry’s 500 word maximum
Shotgun writing – just sit down and go; turn off the internal editor
Binge writing – hole up in a motel for a few weeks, just you and the laptop. Create your own prison.
Blogging as a character
Gilbert Sorrentino and art as the shattered mirror
Recommendations for books on writing
Pat Walsh’s 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why it Just Might
Read interviews with authors
00:33:16
Other Voices, Other Rooms
Tracks by Louise Erdrich
The Comintern: A History of the Third International by Duncan Hallas
Ulysses by James Joyce
My White Planet by Mark Anthony Jarman
2666 by Roberto Bolano
“The Encirclement” (short story) by Tamas Dobozy
Queer by William S. Burroughs
The Broken World by Tim Etchells
Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk
00:39:51
What are you currently jamming to?
Deftones, Diamond Eyes
The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards
Burning Love
Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record
Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis
Murder By Death, Good Morning, Magpie
Ha Ha Tonka
Elliot Smith
Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska
00:45:26
The Lastlies:
Buy Caleb J Ross’s Charactered Pieces: stories
Rob is awaiting a response from subTerrain Magazine. Good luck!
Subscribe to my amazing, hilarious YouTube channel. Just click the button below.
Most writers, whether hobbyists or professionals, would defend that writing is a compulsion. Yet despite this apparent need, writers find a lot a lot of ways to procrastinate (creating this podcast being one). In this episode, three Velvet members discuss why writing is so necessary, what keeps us from writing when we know we should, what keeps us writing once we start, and how helpful are writing exercises (Writers Digest would say “very;” their bottom line depends on it).(WARNING: We like tangents. Be weary)
Episode Panelists:
Caleb/thirstygerbil (Moderator)
Mark/PocketFives
Rob/MuttersomeTaxicab
00:01:39
Episode Topic: Why aren’t you writing?!
Is getting a book on a shelf still a reasonable goal?
Writing allows us to deal with people. William S. Burroughs could only truly communicate through writing.
Writing keeps us from doing worse things to ourselves
Writing/reading offers a window to other people dealing with situations that may be similar to our own
In the same way folktales engage us, modern fiction, especially crime writing, engages us by passing on morality lessons
What inspires or motivates?
Knowing other people do it (and knowing about people like Stephen Graham Jones who writes a novel in 3 days AND has the time to keep a journal about the experience)
University writing workshops (with credit given to Tamas Dobozy and his story “The Encirclement” and Padgett Powell of The University of Florida)
Constant rejection
What are your writing goals?
Session-based word count goals
Truly writing for yourself (not for academics or any other specific audience). Academics are still skittish about an author like Paul Auster, and he’s relatively not threatening.
Rob wants to gain eligibility to apply for a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts
Have you tried writing Exercises?
Max Berry’s 500 word maximum
Shotgun writing – just sit down and go; turn off the internal editor
Binge writing – hole up in a motel for a few weeks, just you and the laptop. Create your own prison.
Blogging as a character
Gilbert Sorrentino and art as the shattered mirror
Recommendations for books on writing
Pat Walsh’s 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why it Just Might
Read interviews with authors
00:33:16
Other Voices, Other Rooms
Tracks by Louise Erdrich
The Comintern: A History of the Third International by Duncan Hallas
Ulysses by James Joyce
My White Planet by Mark Anthony Jarman
2666 by Roberto Bolano
“The Encirclement” (short story) by Tamas Dobozy
Queer by William S. Burroughs
The Broken World by Tim Etchells
Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk
00:39:51
What are you currently jamming to?
Deftones, Diamond Eyes
The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards
Burning Love
Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record
Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis
Murder By Death, Good Morning, Magpie
Ha Ha Tonka
Elliot Smith
Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska
00:45:26
The Lastlies:
Buy Caleb J Ross’s Charactered Pieces: stories
Rob is awaiting a response from subTerrain Magazine. Good luck!
Originally posted 5/26/2010
Subscribe to my amazing, hilarious YouTube channel. Just click the button below.
Consider sharing this post on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Think of it as a way to tell a friend “I’m thinking of you.”
The post Episode 004: “Why Can’t I Write,” I Write OR Inventing Trans Fat appeared first on Caleb J Ross The World's First Author Blog. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.
No comments have been added yet.
