Check out the February 2010 edition of The Writer's Chronicle for a terrific interview with Taos Summer Writers' Conference fiction instructor, Pam Houston (Houston is leading an Advanced Short Fiction weeklong workshop, and a weekend workshop called "Into the Deep End: Getting a Piece of Writing Off to A Running Start").
The interview, which covers topics ranging from Houston's forthcoming book to her love of travel (including, even, rides on the Hertz bus), reveals her thoughtfulness and sense of humor. In one of my favorite quotes, Houston says, "Sometimes I think I'm writing the same story, over and over again, which is: smart woman in love with the physical world tries to make relationship work, fails repeatedly, loves dogs." Ah yes -- but with what richness, depth, and humor!
Houston's books include Cowboys Are My Weakness, Waltzing the Cat, A Little More About Me, and Sight Hound. We are so delighted to have Pam Houston back again this year at the Conference!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
John Dufresne Featured in Jan/Feb 2010 Poets & Writers
Longtime and much admired Taos Summer Writers' Conference instructor, John Dufresne, addresses the question "Where do you begin writing a novel?" in the current issue of Poets & Writers. In the article, Dufresne discusses the origins of his excellent novel, Louisiana Power & Light, and offers "Nine Ways To Begin Writing" for writers struggling with the daunting task of getting started. The essay is smart and funny, just like the author himself.
Dufresne's new book, Is Life Like This? A Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months, promises lots of sage advice from a writing master, who also happens to be one instructor of this year's Master Class in the Novel (Jonis Agee is leading the other section of our Master Class in the Novel). The book may be preordered at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Like-This-Writing-Months/dp/0393065413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264623085&sr=1-1. For Louisiana Power & Light, visit: http://www.amazon.com/Louisiana-Power-Light-John-Dufresne/dp/0393330524/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264623085&sr=1-6.
Dufresne's new book, Is Life Like This? A Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months, promises lots of sage advice from a writing master, who also happens to be one instructor of this year's Master Class in the Novel (Jonis Agee is leading the other section of our Master Class in the Novel). The book may be preordered at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Life-Like-This-Writing-Months/dp/0393065413/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264623085&sr=1-1. For Louisiana Power & Light, visit: http://www.amazon.com/Louisiana-Power-Light-John-Dufresne/dp/0393330524/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264623085&sr=1-6.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Minrose Gwin's New Novel Selected as Barnes & Noble "Discover Great New Writers" Book!
Taos Summer Writers' Conference returning workshop instructor, Minrose Gwin, has fabulous news! Barnes & Noble has chosen The Queen of Palmyra, Gwin's forthcoming novel, as a "Discover Great New Writers" selection. From the back of the book:
"Florence Irene Forrest lives in Millwood, a segregated town like any other in the South in 1963. Florence's father is a burial insurance salesman with dark secrets. Her mother is stuck in a marriage far from her educated, liberal upbringing and makes secret trips to the local bootlegger. This leaves Florence with her grandparents' longtime maid, Zenie, named for Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra. As Florence spends time in Zenie's home, she sees how race truly divides her town, but nothing prepares her for what happens with the arrival of Zenie's niece, the vibrant college student Eva Greene. Soon Florence, who has moved fluidly between two families, between two races, finds herself stuck in the middle, a witness to the brutality and the truth of her times, in Minrose Gwin's astonishing and moving novel."
The book, due to come out this April, may be pre-ordered at Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Queen-of-Palmyra/Minrose-Gwin/e/9780061840326/?itm=3&usri=Minrose+Gwin and Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Palmyra-Novel-P-S/dp/0061840327/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264449936&sr=1-1
"Florence Irene Forrest lives in Millwood, a segregated town like any other in the South in 1963. Florence's father is a burial insurance salesman with dark secrets. Her mother is stuck in a marriage far from her educated, liberal upbringing and makes secret trips to the local bootlegger. This leaves Florence with her grandparents' longtime maid, Zenie, named for Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra. As Florence spends time in Zenie's home, she sees how race truly divides her town, but nothing prepares her for what happens with the arrival of Zenie's niece, the vibrant college student Eva Greene. Soon Florence, who has moved fluidly between two families, between two races, finds herself stuck in the middle, a witness to the brutality and the truth of her times, in Minrose Gwin's astonishing and moving novel."
The book, due to come out this April, may be pre-ordered at Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Queen-of-Palmyra/Minrose-Gwin/e/9780061840326/?itm=3&usri=Minrose+Gwin and Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Queen-Palmyra-Novel-P-S/dp/0061840327/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264449936&sr=1-1
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