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To the Best of Our Knowledge Share

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Public Radio International

WPR
Wisconsin Public Radio

 
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WRITERS ON WRITING

Program 10-04-04-A

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Writers write. I mean that's what they do, right? But…why? In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, writers on writing. Jane Hamilton's latest, a satirical romp was inspired by a writing workshop she taught on a cruise – that she hated. High-powered New York City lawyer Daniyal Mueenuddin went back home to Pakistan to take over his family farm and found himself writing short stories. And, why would a rock star write a novel? We'll ask bad seed Nick Cave.

SEGMENT 1:

Nicholson Baker's latest novel is called "The Anthology." Baker tells Anne Strainchamps the book's about a writer who longs to be a poet. Baker shares his character's passion for verse and quotes several examples to illustrate his points about, for example, the problem with "iambic pentameter."

SEGMENT 2:

Daniyal Mueenuddin divides his time between the United States and Pakistan, where his family owns a farm. His collection of short stories, "In Other Rooms, Other Wonders," a Finalist for the 2009 National Book Award. He talks with Steve Paulson. Also, rocker Nick Cave of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds has written his second novel. It's called "The Death of Bunny Munro." He talks with Steve Paulson about the relative freedom of writing prose versus song-writing, and disputes the conventional wisdom that performers can't get any new, creative work done while they're on the road.

(Listeners should be aware that the Bunny Munro character is a mysogynistic sexaholic. All profanity in the readings has been electronically masked, but the material is intended for mature audiences and may be offensive for some listeners.)

SEGMENT 3:

Keith Miller is a novelist for whom libraries function as a muse. He reads an essay about the library he knew as a child in Africa then talks with Jim Fleming about the importance of libraries for him. His novels are called "The Book of Flying" and "The Book of Fire." Also, Jane Hamilton is the author of several well-respected and thoughtful novels. Her latest is a departure: a satire called "Laura Rider's Masterpiece." Hamilton tells Anne Strainchamps the inspiration for the book came when she was teaching a writing workshop on a cruise ship.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 10-04-04-A.

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Books & CDs:

Nicholson Baker, The Anthologist (Simon & Schuster)

Nick Cave, The Death of Bunny Munro (Cannongate Books)

Jane Hamilton, Laura Rider's Masterpiece (Grand Central Publishing)
Keith Miller, The Book on Fire (Immanion Press)
Daniyal Mueenuddin, In Other Rooms, Other Wonders (Norton) (2009 National Book Award Finalist)

Music:

  • Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. “Red Right Hand” on Let Love In on Mute Records.
  • Charles Mingus. “Pithecanthropus Erectus” on Pithecanthropus Erectus on Atlantic Jazz.
  • Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. “Idiot Prayer” on The Boatman’s Call on Reprise Records.
  • Charles Mingus. “Love Chant” on Pithecanthropus Erectus on Atlantic Jazz.
  • Thelonious Monk. “Rhythm-A-Ning” on Criss-Cross on Columbia Jazz Masterpieces.

Distribution dates:
week of 04/17/2011 - hour 2
week of 04/04/2010- hour 1
click HERE for timings and cues

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: ttbook@wpr.org

     


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