THE STORY SPOT

Writers of Creative Non-Fiction and Memoir tell their true-to-life tales using the same ancient storytelling techniques that writers of invented tales employ. We all work to capture attention, create immersive dream worlds, and memorably move our audiences. But at times, it may seem as if truth and fiction share no common edges.

Don’t be fooled.

CNF, memoir, biography, autobiography, and other truth-based narratives aren’t all that different from a good old-fashioned work of fiction in shape and intent. They do however, present their own set of unique challenges not the least of which is separating author from narrator from main character.

In 2006, William Zinsser spoke on NPR about the challenges of writing personal history. His book, “How to Write a Memoir” offers this advice: Read on »

Lists, lists, and more lists! In case you didn’t find what you needed here, try this:

The Los Angeles Times 2008 Summer Reading List compiled by fellow Antioch devotee, Books Editor David Ulin.

As you know, I love to plug LA writers and those who live a literary life. I stumbled upon Julie Robinson’s site a while ago and though I haven’t attended any of her salons, I wanted to pass her Summer Reading List on to you. The authors and works she’s selected are some of my personal faves. She’s collected a good variety of genres from fresh and established novelists around the world so there’s something sure to please everyone.
Happy reading!

Literary Affairs’ Summer Reading List

I’m a dork. Even worse, I’m a Facebook dork. And who can I tell but you, dear reader, that I’ve recently become one-FaceBook-friend-removed from James Frey.

I know. Who cares, right? But hey, this guy got literary tongues a waggin’ and for more than a blink too. Is he a big fat liar? When will his name cease to be mentioned in the same sentence as the word, “liar”? Dunno. Don’t care. This guy got people to R-E-A-D and talk about books again and he writes about Los Angeles in his new novel. Love ya, buddy.

Visit James Frey’s BigJimIndustries where you can leave a message on his cell. Then, when you’re done with that, head on over to Amazon.com and pick up your fresh copy of Bright Shiny Morning.

Ahoy, writerly folks. It’s that time of year again: Time to support your species and purchase the fine, fine fiction issue published annually by the Atlantic Monthly. Don’t be halted by the nagging awareness that The Atlantic may not ever publish your work unless you change your name to Updike. Instead, think rosy thoughts like this one: While the fiction ship sinks in these times of waning literary interest, the editors at The Atlantic are waving their fiction flags high!

Had enough nautical metaphor? Good. Now go buy the darned thing.

The Atlantic Monthly Fiction Issue 2007

And while you’re at it, read about the top MFA programs in the country of which my alma mater, Antioch University Los Angeles, is one.