I recently discovered the New Yorker's fiction podcast series. (See here or search on iTunes.) In each (monthly) podcast, a writer selects a short story from the New Yorker's archives, reads it, and discusses it with the magazine's fiction editor.
It's a really great way to (i) "read" a really good short story, (ii) listen to writers discuss their craft, and (iii) inspire ideas for one's own fiction. The podcasts generally last from 20 to 30 minutes, with about 10 minutes or so reserved for discussion of the piece.
The one I listened to today -- T.C. Boyle reading Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain" -- gave me all sorts of inspiration, arising from both the story's unique structure and Boyle's discussion of what makes the story effective.
Anyway, I thought I'd pass it on, as it's a good way to spend a half-hour.
It's a really great way to (i) "read" a really good short story, (ii) listen to writers discuss their craft, and (iii) inspire ideas for one's own fiction. The podcasts generally last from 20 to 30 minutes, with about 10 minutes or so reserved for discussion of the piece.
The one I listened to today -- T.C. Boyle reading Tobias Wolff's "Bullet in the Brain" -- gave me all sorts of inspiration, arising from both the story's unique structure and Boyle's discussion of what makes the story effective.
Anyway, I thought I'd pass it on, as it's a good way to spend a half-hour.