192: On Writing and Identity - Interview with David Plante

03/28/18 • 29 min

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have David Plante on the show!

David grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, within a French-Canadian parrish, much the same way as Jack Kerouac did in Lowell, Massachusetts, in an area which was known in the 17h century as La Nouvelle France. David has written several books rooted in La Nouvelle France, most notably in The Family, a contender for the National Book Award.

He then went on to live in London for fifty years where he wrote several memoirs including Becoming a Londoner and Worlds Apart. David is also the author of the nonfiction book Difficult Women which has recently been republished by The New York Review of Books Press, and has been a regular contributor to the New Yorker with short stories and profiles of people he knew.

David is calling in to the show today from his home in Lucca, Italy, to discuss his most recent novel American Stranger.

Listen in as we chat about the elements that went into crafting this novel, and how writing can give you a voice and identity belonging to only you.

Also, just a quick heads up if you have not yet read American Stranger. We got so excited talking about the book that we may have disclosed a few spoilers... so SPOILER ALERT!

In this episode David and I discuss:

How he unboxed Franco-American culture through the eyes of an outsider.
Why not having identity can actually be liberating, and can also help you find your writing voice.
Crafting a timeless novel by grounding the story with details.
The best way to deal with a bad review... (all authors get them!).
Drawing inspiration from a writer’s day in Italy.

Plus, David’s #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/192

Hey there word nerds!

Today I am delighted to have David Plante on the show!

David is calling in to the show today from his home in Lucca, Italy, to discuss his most recent novel American Stranger.

Listen in as we chat about the elements that went into crafting this novel, and how writing can give you a voice and identity belonging to only you.

Also, just a quick heads up if you have not yet read American Stranger. We got so excited talking about the book that we may have disclosed a few spoilers... so SPOILER ALERT!

In this episode David and I discuss:

How he unboxed Franco-American culture through the eyes of an outsider.
Why not having identity can actually be liberating, and can also help you find your writing voice.
Crafting a timeless novel by grounding the story with details.
The best way to deal with a bad review... (all authors get them!).
Drawing inspiration from a writer’s day in Italy.

Plus, David’s #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/192

Previous Episode

191: Writing Around a Heavy Issue - Interview with Kiersi Burkhart

Hey there word nerds!

Today I’m thrilled to have author Kiersi Burkhart on the show!

Kiersi is an author and freelance writer living in windy, wild Wyoming. She is the co-author, along with Amber J. Keyser, of the middle grade series Quartz Creek Ranch; four stand alone stories all about a summer horse camp in her own home state of Colorado.

She went to college at a small, and extremely remote school in Portland, Oregon, where she got really plugged into their literary community. The secluded campus and insular culture of this college inspired the setting in Kiersi’s latest book and YA debut, Honor Code.

Listen in as we chat about Kiersi’s amazing book, and how to focus on characters in an issue driven book.

In this episode Kiersi and I discuss:

Crafting an issue-driven book that doesn’t feel issue-driven.
Flipping a known concept on its head to form a more interesting theme.
How to use a blog as a device to layer your story with different perspectives.
The wider world of writing, ways to get out of your writer’s bubble and into the community.
Tips to survive the introvert hangover after an in person event.

Plus, Kiersi’s #1 tip for writers.

For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/191

Next Episode

193: The Aesthetics of Writing - Interview with Michael Imperioli

Hey there word nerds!

Today I have the distinct pleasure of having acclaimed writer and actor Michael Imperioli on the show!

Though Michael is best known for playing Christopher Moltisanti in the The Sopranos, a role that earned him an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor, he is also an accomplished screenwriter. He wrote five episodes of The Sopranos and was co-screenwriter for the film Summer of Sam which was directed by Spike Lee.

While still acting and writing for film and TV, with several upcoming projects in the works, Michael has also turned his artistic talent to novel writing with his debut The Perfume Burned His Eyes.

Listen in as we chat about this amazing book, and how to know when you’ve found the story to take all the way to the end.

In this episode Michael and I discuss: