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The Drunken Odyssey

~ A Podcast About the Writing Life

The Drunken Odyssey

Category Archives: Florida Literature

Episode 435: Ariel Francisco!

29 Saturday Aug 2020

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Episode, Florida Literature, Poetry

≈ Leave a comment

Episode 435 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing).

Photo by Carlie Hoffman.

On this episode, poet Ariel Francisco and I talk about Florida’s wildness, Miami, Hollywood (Florida), multilingualism, Anna Nicole Smith, a sinking state, Jack Kerouac, FIU’s MFA program, and many other important matters.

TEXT DISCUSSED

NOTES

This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile.

Scribophile

TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

Check out my literary adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.Episode


435 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing).

Episode 407: Nathan Holic!

22 Saturday Feb 2020

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Comic Books, Craft of Fiction Writing, Episode, Florida Literature, Graphic Novels, Literature of Florida

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bright Lights Medium-Sized City, Burrow Press, Nathan Holic, Orlando

Episode 407 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing.)

This week, I talk to my friend and colleague Nathan Holic about his new novel that is a true epic of our hometown (Orlando), Bright Lights, Medium-Sized City.

Nathan Holic

Nathan Holic at an undisclosed location in Orlando, without a beer.

This is Nathan’s 8th appearance on TDO!

TEXT DISCUSSED

Bright Lights Medium Sized City15 Views of OrlandoAmerican Fraternity Man

NOTES

  • This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile.

Scribophile

typewriter

  • If you are in Orlando on February 29, come to the Typewriters and Jazz Write-in from 1-3 PM being held at Jack Kerouac’s old residence (from when On the Road came out).

Episode 407of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing.)

Episode 389: Ron Cooper!

19 Saturday Oct 2019

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Craft of Fiction Writing, Episode, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida

≈ Leave a comment

Episode 389 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing).

In this week’s episode, I interview Ron Cooper about Florida literature, research, and the mystery of existentital characters.

Ron Cooper

TEXTS DISCUSSED

All My Sins Remembered

Fringe Florida

NOTES

This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile.

Scribophile

TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

If you are in Orlando on November 2nd from 6 to 9 PM, be a part of the book party for my literary adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame Cover

There will be a raffle for those who show up, no purchase necessary. Raffle items include autographed books, a t-shirt, a gift package from bachelor Pad Magazine, a gift certificate for a medium sized literary tattoo, plus …

Guy Psycho Raffle

this framed, autographed poster featuring the book cover of Walter Mosley’s Debbie Doesn’t Do it Anymore.

IMG_0304.JPG

Guy Psycho Book Launch Party

6-9 PM

1418 Clouser Ave, Orlando, FL 32804-6209

https://www.facebook.com/events/619433221793908/

Check out my earlier interview with Ron, back on Episode #210.


Episode 389 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that’s your thing).

Episode 371: C.H. Hooks!

15 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Craft of Fiction Writing, Episode, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida

≈ Leave a comment

Episode 371 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

In this week’s show, C.H. Hooks and I sit down with some questionable red wine to discuss Florida, Florida literature, and the uses we make of writing.

Christopher Hooks for 8 x 11 300 dpi DSC08626

Photo by Miriam Berkley.

TEXTS DISCUSSED

Alligator Zoo-Park Magic

NOTES

This episode is sponsored by Scribophile.

Scribophile

TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

Check out my adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame Cover


Episode 371 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

Episode 367: A Discussion of Eudora Welty’s “Place in Fiction” with Vanessa Blakesklee!

19 Sunday May 2019

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Craft of Fiction Writing, Episode, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Eudora Welty, Place in Fiction, The Eye of the Story, Vanessa Blakeslee John King

Episode 367 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

In this week’s episode, Vanessa Blakeslee and I discuss Eudora Welty’s “Place in Fiction” (1955).

John & Vanessa Flash 2.JPG

TEXTS DISCUSSED

The Eye of the Story

NOTES

This episode is sponsored by Scribophile.

Scribophile

TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

*

Check out my adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame Cover

And check out Vanessa’s books, too.

Perfect_Conditions_Front_CoverJuventudTrain Shots


Episode 367 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

Episode #342: Linda Buckmaster!

24 Saturday Nov 2018

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Episode, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida, Memoir

≈ Leave a comment

Episode 342 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

In this week’s episode, I talk to poet and memoirist Linda Buckmaster about how our subjects sometimes choose us, the wondrous weirdness of Florida, and how the find form in the flux of composition.

Linda Buckmaster

TEXT DISCUSSED

space heart


Episode 342 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

Episode 262: David James Poissant’s Keynote from Litlando 2017!

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Episode, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida

≈ Leave a comment

Episode 262 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

On this week’s show, David James Poissant reads his keynote at Litlando, from February 25th, 2017.

David James Poissant Keynote

TEXTS DISCUSSED

The Heaven of Animals

 


Episode 262 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

Episode 220: Sam Slaughter!

20 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Episode, Florida Literature, Literary Prizes, Literature of Florida, Memoir, Travel Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

A Brief History of World Travel (Part 8): Notes on Baltimore, Bastard Out of Carolina, Denis Johnson, Dorothy Allison, Florida Man, God in Neon, Jesus' Son, Mark Powell, Orlando, Sam Slaughter, The Bambi Molesters, The Young Widower's Handbook, There Will Be Words, Tom McAllister, When You Cross That Line

Episode 220 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

In this week’s episode, I talk to my friend, fiction writer Sam Slaughter, who I met back in 2014, when he wrote a little something about Denis Johnson’s Jesus’ Son for the show. We talk about his short story collection, God in Neon, his chapbook, When You Cross That Line (inspired by Florida Man stories), alcoholism, how we evolve as writers, and the Orlando writing scene.

Sam Slaughter

Photo by Oxley Photography 2014

Plus Tom McAllister of Book Fight fame reads his personal essay, “A Brief History of World Travel (Part 8): Notes on Baltimore, MD.”

Tom McAllister

TEXTS DISCUSSED

God in Neon

When You Cross That Line

The Sheltering

Bastard Out Of Carolina

NOTES

  • Check out Sam Slaughter’s website.
  • Hear Sam read his essay about Denis Johnson’s Jesus’s Son back on episode 119.
  • Or hear Sam read his essay about his misadventures in brewing beer back on episode 126.
  • Or hear Sam reads his essay about helping himself to some sacramental wine as part of our Repeal Day 2014 show back on episode 129.
  • Read the text of A Brief History of World Travel (part 8) – Notes on Baltimore, MD, or check out Tom McAllister’s other essays in this series, and his other work, on his website.
  • Consider pre-ordering Tom McAllister’s forthcoming novel, The Young Widower’s Handbook.

Young Widowers HandbookListen to the music of The Bambi Molesters.

Sonic Bullets


Episode 220 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

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Buzzed Books #36: When You Cross That Line

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Buzzed Books, Florida Literature, Literature of Florida

≈ 1 Comment

Buzzed Books #36 by Chris Blanchard

When You Cross That Line

Sam Slaughter’s chapbook, When You Cross That Line, was published as an award for the reading series There Will Be Words based here in Orlando. At a mere 41 pages, this little chapbook can fit right in your back pocket. The cover is minimal, just the title and author name over a white background. Something about the simplicity and size instantly stirred my curiosity. This unassuming book was carefully planned and executed, its formatting tight, and overall appearance highly professional. What’s inside doesn’t disappoint, either. There are five stories within, all based off Florida Man, a parody twitter account highlighting crazy news accounts of people committing various crimes in Florida.

When You Cross That Line

Most of the stories were subtly surprising. The best example, She’ll Never Hurt Me Again, takes an interesting approach to the classic post-relationship heartbreak story by showing two beefy redneck brothers coping with a relationship that recently turned sour. Seeing two rough n’ tough Southern bad-asses so distraught over a heartbreak serves a refreshing reminder that even the tough guys are liable to get their hearts crushed into dust. Based on the context of the story, we assume these two brothers are drinking to forget, to run from their emotions (that’s the point, right?), but towards the end, the subversion of our expectations comes from the realization that instead of grieving, the brothers are taking action. They aren’t drinking to run, they’re drinking to face the truth, and the task they need to perform: she’s gone, and this tattoo’s gotta go.

Another great example is When You Cross That Line, the story for which the chapbook is named. This story does a great job subverting the traditional role of the main character. The antagonist wins, getting away with holding the main character at gun point, and forcing our hero to take illegally obtained ‘gators in broad daylight before fleeing the scene in a puff of engine exhaust. The whole time, you’re expecting some type of action from the main character, or even a positive resolution to this royally awkward situation, but when the story ends without either, the reader is left with one shocked question: “Did he just get away with that?” These types of tiny tweaks to expectations are present throughout all five stories, adding just enough uncertainty to make them compelling.

Additionally, each story starts off with a high-concept sentence that let’s you know enough to jump right into the action, but not enough to guess what’ll happen. A good example is Neighborhood Watch: “The landlord was ten minutes late, and my girlfriend and I sat on the hood of my car, waiting.” This sentence establishes character and through minimalist diction, creates a false sense of comfortable simplicity. This comfort is soon shot to hell, as the couple, expecting a casual meeting with a prospective landlord, are greeted instead by a senile neighbor, threatening them in his wrinkly birthday suit. Another example, from A Solider Fights for Freedom: “Paul ate lunch at Applebee’s everyday since his wife died five months earlier.” This type of high-concept sentence is worthy of a Disney logline. It perfectly sums up the main character, showing his routine-oriented mindset, only to have the old-timer turn around and beat up a douchebag spouting obscene comments about women at the drop of hat. Sam Slaughter understands how to layer each sentence, utilizing preconceived connotations only to undermine them through zany characters and crazy situations.

All in all, this chapbook kicked ass, and solidifies the fact that There Will Be Words is something to pay attention to. Sam Slaughter’s When You Cross That Line is poignant in its brevity, and obviously well thought out. Writing compelling short-form fiction is tough in and of itself, so when you find a writer that manages to juggle good storytelling with strict word-count limitations and obscure formatting, you know you’re onto something good. If you’re looking for well-balanced prose, go for Sam Slaughter.

If you’re looking to get your hands on some illegally obtained ‘gators, stop by any 7-11 in Central Florida. Tell ‘em Chris sent ya.

_______

Chris BlanchardChris Blanchard grew up in rural Colorado, where the dramatic landscape inspires many of the set pieces in his work. His short stories and screenplays are heavily influenced by Kurt Vonnegut, the Cohen brothers, Stephen King, and GZA The Genius. Currently cooped in Central Florida, his free time is dedicated to reading books, honing his craft, and pretending to be a viking.

Episode 183: Mary Karr!

13 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by thedrunkenodyssey in Episode, Florida Literature, Memoir, Poetry

≈ 3 Comments

Episode 183 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

In this week’s episode, I interview Mary Karr,

Mary Karr

and share her talk at Miami Book Fair International 2015, plus I share a Miami Bookfair Event I was in, Tiffany Razzano’s Saved by the Sunshine State.

Tiffany Razzano

Tiffany Razzano ruling over The Swamp!

NOTES

Check out our latest video on our youtube channel: J.C. Sevcik’s farewell reading at the end of his residency at the Kerouac House.

 TEXTS DISCUSSED

The Art of MemoirSinners WelcomeMary Karr LitA Sky the Color of ChaosJuventudSofritoHello American Lady Creature


Episode 183 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on iTunes, or right click here to download.

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