The Literary Cafe

November - National Novel Writing Month

2006-02-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook.

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Ah, this show was such fun! I interviewed National Novel Writing Month founder, Chris Baty, when he was in Portland last August for the Willamette Writer's Conference. It was a great interview. For those of you who don't know about NaNoWriMo, as it is affectionately called, it is a 30 day novel-writing marathon (frenzy) that takes place every November, and has participants from all around the world numbering in the tens of thousands! Every November, people gather in their home cities and write together weekly, even more frequently, to see what novel writing is really like. This event is for anyone who ever wanted to try their hand at writing a best-seller. Chris talked to me about how the idea for NaNoWriMo originated, started out, and how it's grown by leaps and bounds. He has a very charismatic personality, and his enthusiasm and ability to inspire all people, not just writers, is contagious. Chris also talked about his book, No Plot? No Problem!, equally fun and informative on writing a novel in a month.

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Also featured on this show was Seattle author and teacher, Waverly Fitzgerald. She talked about NaNoWriMo, and her experiences with the monthly writing marathon. Waverly has a great website for writers, with articles for writers featured. Visit it at www.waverlyfitzgerald.com

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Portland author Bill Johnson talked about the craft of novel writing and his book, A Story is a Promise. He gave advice on beginning the story on page one, and talked about how many authors don't begin the real story of their novels until page forty. Bill is the office manager for Willamette Writers, and a great resource, himself. Visit his website at www.storyispromise.com

for more essays on writing, order his book, and dig into all of his advice on writing and stories.

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Jennifer Kammerdiener of Austin Texas discussed her first few years as a NaNoWriMo novelist. Jennifer works as a painter and has another job, so November is pretty intense for her. There is a great group in Austin, she said, and they meet year-round. She found that making an outline helped greatly, and sharing the experience with a friend was really important. She also talked about making a huge calendar just for the month of NaNoWriMo. Very creative! You can find her profile on NaNoWriMo's website at La Luna Unita.

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Finally, in this show, I told listeners who needed more structure for their novel to visit Randy Ingermanson's site. There you can find his famous Snowflake Method of structuring a novel with spreadsheets on your computer. Find this method, and more at www.rsingermanson.com

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Many thanks to Chris Baty, Waverly Fitzgerald, Bill Johnson, Jennifer Kammerdiener, and Randy Ingermanson! For those of you who wish to try your hand at writing a novel in thirty days, good luck!

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To see just how I fared during November, check out my blog on NaNoWriMo at www.kerribuckleysnanowrimo.blogspot.com

October 2005 Show with guest Paula Kamen

2006-02-15T01:41:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook.

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Paula Kamen went on a book tour last summer along the West Coast by train and plane. When she pulled into Portland, I met her at a women's bookstore in the Hawthorne District, In Other Words, and took her to Powells City of Books. I interviewed her there, and that interview was amazing.

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Fifteen years ago, Paula Kamen was in Chicago at a journalism conference. She went to the bathroom to put in her contacts, and as she put in her left contact, she triggered a neurological reaction that cause a headache unlike any she had ever experienced before. The successive results of that incident became truly a nightmare, for she was unable to get rid of the headaches, and they grew worse and worse. Her book, All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable, and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache reads like a memoir, but also a book full of research and resources, for Kamen is truly an exceptional journalist. She chronicles her appointments with doctor after doctor; treatment after treatment, and tells, finally, how she has learned to manage her headaches and still have a life.

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In this show, I also mentioned the blogs:

www.thedailyheadache.com

www.chronicbabe.com

www.butyoudontlooksick.com

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Many thanks to Paula Kamen. Visit her site, read her book, admire her courage.

Best of luck to her. Kerri

September 2005-Interview with Mitch Luckett

2006-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook.

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In September, one of my favorite Pacific Northwest authors talked with me about his book, To Kill a Common Loon. Mitch Luckett came to Astoria and chatted about the significance of the loon, his character, Harp. P. Gravy, and how he'd lost his rhythm through a head injury. A couple of traumatic events led to the lead Gravy's only recourse of following what his Grandfather Two-Loons taught him as a boy, and allowing himself to shape-shift into a bird, a loon. It was one of the best Literary Cafe shows to date, and I found a poem by New England poet Hugh Ogden entitled Loons to cap off the show. An unexpected surprise was the same poem as a classically composed musical piece by Ogden's friend and composer, Evan Hause. It was a wonderful, earthy show.

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Find Mitch Lucket on the web at www.mitchluckett.com

Find Hugh Ogden on the web at http://www.trincoll.edu/~ogden/

and Evan Hause at www.hausemusic.com

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Many thanks to Mitch Luckett, Hugh Ogden and Evan Hause for making this edition of The Literary Cafe' great.

August 2005 Literary Cafe with Bill Johnson

2006-02-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook.

KMUN in Astoria at 91.9 FM; KMUN in Wheeler and Manzanita at 88.9 FM,

and KTCB in Tillamook at 89.5 FM

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This month Portland author Bill Johnson, (A Story Is A Promise) joined me in the studio to talk about writer's conferences. Bill is a regular around the West Coast at conferences, and teaches a workshop as a companion to his book. The office manager at Willamette Writers, he knows all the presenter, and spends a year organizing it, with the other 80 or so volunteers. Bill also talked a bit about writer's groups, differentiating critique groups from support groups. According to Bill Johnson, sometimes we need support, sometimes critique. Finding the right group for you is essential. Bill talked about the upcoming Willamette Writer's Conference in Portland, and the line-up of presenters. The website for the conference can be found at www.willamettewriters.com. The Kay Snow Writing Contest always holds its awards ceremony at the conference. The deadline each year for the contest in any genre is May 15. Thanks to Bill Johnson.

July 2005 - Retreats and a tribute to Walt Whitman

2006-02-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook

now heard streaming on the worldwide web

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July's show featured an interview with Astoria writer Trace Bergerson, who talked about retreats. Trace discussed what to look for in a retreat, her experiences, local and regional retreats, and how to apply for fellowships. Soapstone, a Writing Retreat for Women near the Oregon Coast, also contributed comments from their past fellows on the value of writing retreats. Thanks to Trace, and to Ruth. This show aired on July 4, 2005.

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Also, a focus in this Fourth of July edition of The Literary Cafe' was a tribute to Walt Whitman, who perhaps wrote the quintessential Independence Day Poem.

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His Independence Day Poem has three parts: first, the excitement of the parade, then a procession of ghost soldiers, and finally, a morid suggestion for improving the parade. Whitman finishes this poem with a grand finale, the fact that a boy is watching, who will soon be a parade participant, and perhaps soon after, a ghost.

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Here is the poem,

Independence Day

by Walt Whitman.

To get betimes in Boston Town, I rose this morning early,

Here's a good place at the corner, I must stand and see the show.

Clear the way there Jonathan!

Way for the President's marshal -- way for the government cannon!

Way for the Federal food and dragoons, (and the apparitions copiously tumbling).

I love to look on the Stars and Stripes, I hope the fifes will play Yankee Doodle.

How bright shine the cutlasses of the foremost troops!

Every man holds his revolver, marching stiff through Boston town.

A fog follows, antiques of the same come limping,

Some appear wooden-legged, and some appear bandaged and bloodless.

Why this is indeed a show--it has called the dead out of the earth!

The old graveyards of the hills have hurried to see!

Phantoms! phantoms countless by flank and rear!

Cock'd hats of mothy mould -- crutches made of mist!

Arms in slings -- old men leaning on young men's shoulders.

What troubles you Yankee phantoms? what is all this chattering of bare gums?

Does the ague convulse your limbs? do you mistake your crutches for firelocks and level them?

If you blind your eyes with tears you will not see the President's marshal,

If you groan such groans you might balk the government cannon.

For shame old maniacs -- bring down those toss'd arms, and let you white hair be,

Here gape your great grandsons, their wives gaze at them from the windows,

See how well dress'd, see how orderly they conduct themselves.

Worse and worse -- can't you stand it? are you retreating?

Is this hour with the living too dead for you?

Retreat then -- pell mell!

To your graves -- back -- back to the hills old limpers!

I do not think you belong here anyhow.

But there is one thing that belongs here -- shall I tell you what it is,

gentlement of Boston?

I will whisper it to the mayor, he shall send a committee to England,

They shall get a grant from the parliament, go with a cart to the royal vault,

Dig out King George's coffin, unwrap him quick from the grave-clothes,

box up his bones for a journey,

Find a swift Yankee clipper -- here is freight for you, black-bellied clipper,

Up with your anchor -- shake out your sails --steer straight toward Boston Bay.

Now call for the President's marshall again, bring out the government cannon,

Fetch home the roarers from Congress, make another procession,

guard it with foot and dragoons.

This centre-piece for them:

Look, all orderly citizens -- look from the windows, women!

The committee open the box, set up the regal ribs, glue those that will not stay.

Clap the skull on top of the ribs, and clap a crown on top of the skull.

You have got your revenge, old buster -- the crown is come to its

own, and more than its own.

Stick your hands in your pockets, Jonathan -- you are a made man

from this day,

You are mighty cute -- and here is one of your bargains.

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This show featured Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring, closing with

John Phillips Sousa, and fireworks.

The Literary Cafe June 2005 Show

2006-01-27T05:38:00.000-08:00

The Literary Cafe June 2005

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In honor of Father's Day, this edition of The Literary Cafe' was dedicated to my father, Kansas City jazz musician, Jim Buckley. This show also honored another Kansas City native and father, Calvin Trillin, with an excerpt from Family Man.

You can read more about this recording, and Calvin Trillin at http://www.smithsonianassociates.org/programs/trillin/trillin.asp

The Literary Cafe May 2005 Show

2006-01-27T05:19:00.000-08:00

The Literary Cafe May 2005

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The May show featured local author Wendy French, whose newly released book, Going Coastal has received many great reviews. Wendy joined me in the studio to discuss writing, her novels, rejection and her future, which is certain to be shining. Her first book s'Mothering, is a gem, and Going Coastal promises to follow in those footsteps. You can find more information about Wendy French, and her books and appearances on her website, http://www.wendy-french.com.

Seattle author Waverly Fitzgerald also graciously allowed me to read her piece, The Rejection Game. Visit Waverly's website at http://www.waverlyfitzgerald.com

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Many thanks to Wendy French and Waverly Fitzgerald

The Literary Cafe April 2005 Show

2006-01-27T04:43:00.000-08:00

April 2005 Literary Cafe Radio Show

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The April 2005 show was dedicated to poetry and the poets who craft them, in honor of National Poetry Month. The featured poet of the show was Ilya Kaminsky, award winning poet and author of the chapbook Musica Humana, and his first full-length book Dancing in Odessa.

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Another poet featured on this show was Southern writer, poet and radio professional Wayne Cain. Fellow KMUN programmer David Paul read the following poem written by Wayne Cain. It is a perfect example of alliteration

in poetry:

Larry Talbot's Night on the Town

for Lon Cheney, Jr.

The pull of the moon

explodes inside my head

like a silver beam

madness, madness.

Your screams rolling like sighs

across my pointed ears,

mixing with the howls

my brothers raise

like gypsy bullets

fired into the ivory

heart of darkness.

I smell your blood.

It perfumes the night.

This poem can be read in Southeastern Louisiana State's Outside the Lines, along with a sampling of more excellent works by other Louisiana writers, and an additional poem by Wayne Cain entitled Heather in Flight.

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Also featured on this April show was New York attorney and poet Simon Perckik. His essay entitled Magic, Illusion and Other Realities was also read by David Paul. View that essay on his website at http://www.geocities.com/simonthepoet.

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Finally, on this show, one more excellent piece on the craft of writing poetry, and the importance of Chopin's works for all poets especially was a highlight. You can read Al Rocheleau's wonderful essay, Poetry As Music, Music As Poetry here on the website of the Rose and Thorn E-zine.

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Many thanks to Wayne Cain, David Paul, Simon Perckik, Al Rocheleau,

and The Rose and Thorn Ezine. Consider checking out the books and

brilliance of Ilya Kaminsk, Musica Humana and Dancing in Odessa.

March 2005 Show

2005-11-04T03:32:00.000-08:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, and KTCB in Tillamook.

March 2005 was the first Literary Cafe aired. This show featured Betty Dover, a writer, poet and editor who has put together an anthology from the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. This institution is the only correctional facility for women in the state of Oregon. The literary journal she created is called Bound for Freedom, and contains art, essays and poetry by Dover and by women in the Coffee Creek facility. Dover talked during the interview about all the steps necessary to bring her journal to life, and how she felt about marketing. She also read several selections of poems from the journal. For more information about Bound for Freedom, email Betty Dover at boundforfreedom@hotmail.com.

The March 2005 show also featured the writing of Irish women, and music by acclaimed violinist Scarlet Rivera, as a tribute to National Women's History Month.

The Literary Cafe

2005-10-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

Join writer Kerri Buckley for the monthly radio show, The Literary Cafe - A Production of Coast Community Radio.

Welcome to the Literary Cafe

2005-10-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Literary Cafe, a show about written works of art and the people who write them. The Literary Cafe is aired on the first Monday morning of the month at 9:30, and brings you profiles of authors, writers, poets, and books.

The Literary Cafe celebrates authors, writers, poets, agents and other artists from the Pacific Northwest region and around our world.Tune in to the Literary Cafe to hear interviews of authors and people in the literary world, reviews of books, announcements of contests and writing events, also music to read and to write by.

The Literary Cafe is hosted by Kerri Buckley, and is a production of Coast Community Radio; KMUN in Astoria, at 91.9 FM, KMUN in Wheeler and Manzanita at 88.9 FM, and KTCB in Tillamook at 89.5 FM.

Settle in, grab your latte, chai or tea, and pen. Thanks for hanging out with the Literary Cafe.