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Writing the MemoirWriting the MemoirYou CAN handle the truth (in your memoir)Readers seek out memoirs because they want true stories. But the truth, according to Judith Barrington in her book Writing the Memoir, is more than using Google to fact check. There are also emotional truths, which are harder than factual truths due of our imperfect memories, because they might offend our friends, families and communities, and because they can be painful, both to write, and to read. All of these ideas made for a fascinating podcast conversation. Also in this episode, we interview Raime Liddle, whose on-the-road life adventures with her mother-in-law went viral and led to a her writing...2024-02-2859 minWriting the MemoirWriting the MemoirFinding Your Memoir’s FormChronological, essays, skipping through time, interspersed non-fiction — there are so many forms that memoir can take. Judith Barrington covers several in her book, Writing the Memoir, and in this episode we discuss the options, and which one is best for your memoir. As a bonus, Renee shares an exercise she’s come up with for finding your memoir’s theme. Want to hear more of our exercise workshop? We post the bonus podcast, SnarkNotes, and detailed write up of the exercises on our Words to Write by Patreon account.2024-02-1452 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E8: Disclosure and Trans Representation Trans rights are human rights. In our latest episode we talk about Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen and discuss the importance of trans representation. 2024-01-0754 minBird by BirdBird by BirdWhy Do You Write?Well, why do you? The answer for most authors is to get published. But is that the only reason, or even the best reason? As we near the end of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird we investigate other rewards for writing, like to to find ones voice, or as way of giving. And then we get back to publishing (this is a writing advice podcast) and discuss Lamott’s opinion that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. We also check in with writers Patrick Dugan and John Gibson about how they deal wit...2023-11-0151 minBird by BirdBird by BirdWriting Groups: The Good, The Bad, and The UglyBehind most successful authors there is a writing group (at least according to their novel's acknowledgment section). But how does one find a writing group, and how do you get the most of out of one once you're in? In todays episode, we discuss the chapters "Writing Groups" and "Someone to Read your Drafts" from Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird. We also recall some WTF moments from our own writing workshops and address the dangers of toxic beta readers. Want to hear more of our exercise workshop? We post the bonus podcast, SnarkNotes, and...2023-09-2147 minBird by BirdBird by BirdWriting Advice from the 90sSome advice is timeless, some is not. In this episode, we evaluate writing techniques from Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird and see if they still have value in our current Information Age. Specifically, Lamott writes about capturing one's thoughts on index cards, and how to use a telephone to get information and also, to get a larger sense of people's views. Although we now use our phones for much more, there's still some nuggets of inspiration in these chapters of the book. Want to hear more of our exercise workshop? We post the bonus...2023-09-0637 minSnark NotesSnark NotesACOWAR Chapters 31-45: High Lord's Supply Closet MeetingIntroducing SNARK NOTES, the rebranded B Word Podcast! Get ready for an exhilarating and unpredictable episode as hosts Paige and Mal dive into the thrilling High Lord's meeting. Join them as they explore the intentions of the attendees and delve into intriguing theories about their motives, including speculations on who might end up in the mysterious supply closet. With a focus on Elain's remarkable sight, the hosts and guest share their thoughts while dismissing any interest in uncovering Nedra's true identity. Brace yourself as Ariel rejoins the hosts, providing genuine real-time reactions to the discussion, despite not having read...2023-06-231h 02Bird by BirdBird by BirdTilling Your Characters’ Emotional AcresAnne Lamott's Bird by Bird Chapters 4, 5, & 6 Subscribe to our Newsletter So you’ve committed to Anne Lamott’s daily writing practice (as discussed in our previous podcast), good for you. Now let’s find out how to turn those embarrassing word scribbles into profound and meaningful insights. In this episode we start with the Bird by Bird chapters, "School Lunches" and "Polaroids," which, trust us, are about that transformative process. Then it’s onto the "Character" chapter and we talk about giving the people in your novel their own emotional acre. Also in the podca...2023-03-2249 minThe Art of FictionThe Art of FictionMetafiction, Deconstruction, and Jazzing AroundChapter 4 -The Art of Fiction After last episode's mother of all chapters, we get a reprieve - a much shorter and  lighthearted chapter devoted to those weird genres of metafiction, deconstruction, and jazzing around (that last one we're pretty sure Gardner made up.) While we do discuss Gardner's take, we mostly just have fun geeking out over our favorite examples of the genres. But, just when you think it's all congenial conversation, we come upon an eye-raising quote by Gardner, and once again, the knives come out. For our exercise, Renee shifts her memoir into poetry and we discuss t...2021-12-2932 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E9: Get Out In today’s episode, Keli and Alice discuss the social commentary and symbolism of Get Out. Keli forgets about Posh Kenneth. Alice reads too much into Froot Loops. 2021-02-0849 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E8: Disclosure and Trans Representation Trans rights are human rights. In our latest episode we talk about Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen and discuss the importance of trans representation. 2020-12-1454 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E7: Mindy Kaling How much do we love Mindy Kaling? Let us count the ways! This episode is dedicated to one of our all-time favorite creators: the woman who taught us the importance of soupsnakes and having confidence in who you are. Join us while we fangirl. 2020-09-0859 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E6: Fictional Female Friendships More often than not pop culture fails at its depiction of female friendships. The creators of Sex and the City and Girls want us to view their characters as “BFFs” and “Squad Goals”, but don’t seem to know what real friendships actually entail. Join Keli and Alice as they talk about good and bad examples of fictional female friendships and ask that age-old, unanswered question: why are these people even friends? https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/female-friendships-final.mp3 2020-08-1747 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E5: You The time has come to talk about You. (Not you, specifically. Sorry! But You the little-watched Liftetime series turned Netflix hit.) Over the course of two seasons, You has crafted a fascinating phycological thriller that turns the typical boy meets girl romance on its head. Join Keli and Alice as they talk about all the things that make this show compelling, including Penn Badgley’s willingness to lean into his Gossip Girl roots, and his refusal to let the internet romanticize his character. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/you-combined-draft.mp3 2020-08-0339 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E4: Red, White & Royal Blue Looking for a good romance, but can’t be expected to date right now? Keli and Alice have the answer! Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston! (It’s the classic story of boy meets other boy, boy hates other boy, boy pushes other boy into a cake.) Join Keli and Alice as they talk about everything that makes this romance great and the importance of a happily ever after. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/red-white-and-royal-blue-combined-final.mp3     2020-07-1335 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesSnarkNotes Short: More Thoughts Keli and Alice have more thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement and our national reckoning with racial injustice. This short provides some extra content and recommendations that we wanted to share with you all. (Essentially all the things we wanted to include in our last episode, but cut to keep it from being 90 minutes long.) https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/black-lives-matter-additional-content.mp3 2020-07-0616 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E3: Black Lives Matter BLACK LIVES MATTER. And including Black voices in your media consumption is important. That’s why Alice & Keli will spend this episode trying to help you be the Michelle Williams of white ally-ship by highlighting some Black creators and giving recommendations for books, Tv shows, movies, and other content for your enjoyment. (Warning: may include titles from all those anti-reading racist reading lists going around, but also several other bangers you might not have heard of yet.) https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/black-lives-matter-draft-main-ep.mp3 2020-06-291h 08SnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E2: Normal People Are we taking crazy pills here or is Normal People actually not that good? In this episode, Alice and Keli talk about the novel Normal People and its recent Hulu adaptation. Join us as we try to figure out what “normal people” love about an Irish couple that can’t communicate. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/normal-people-draft-to-share.mp3 2020-05-3144 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS3 E1: Educated The girls are back in town! SnarkNotes returns for Season 3. First up, Isolationism. Living off the grid. Doomsday theories. No, it’s not an episode about coronavirus. It’s Educated by Tara Westover. Essential oils not included. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/educated-combined-draft-to-share.mp3 2020-05-2457 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E8: Compassionate Journey SnarkNotes has its first ever guest star! Keli’s mom – the wonderful Cheryl Gillespie – joins the podcast to talk about Compassionate Journey: Honoring Our Mothers’ Stories, a book she wrote with four other Maine women. In it, Cheryl bravely discusses her complicated relationship with her mother, and what she learned when she started looking for a letter that may never have existed. Tune in to learn more! https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/compassionate-journey.mp3 2019-01-0738 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E7: The Bechdel Test Gather round Snarknotes listeners! The time has come to get educational. Did you know that two women can talk about something other than a man? It’s true! It happens every day! (Shocking, we know.) Women have depth. Women have range. Women cannot be replaced with sexy lamps! https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/bechdel-test-revised-1.mp3 2018-09-1719 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E6: Characters We Would Save Have you ever wanted to rescue a fictional character from their creator? To somehow give them the storyline they deserve? Keli and Alice have. Often. Join them as they discuss their many, many feelings about Ron Weasley and other characters who weren’t given the chance to live up to their full potential. Expect spoilers, and an inordinate amount of love for Rupert Grint. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/characters-we-would-save-edits.mp3 2018-09-0329 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E5: Problematic Rom-Coms Who doesn’t love a good rom-com? Person meets person. Sparks fly. Angst ensues. And before you can say — “Wait, do you really need to run to the airport? Can’t you just call her?” — the music swells over a perfectly cinematic, happily ever after. Roll credits. But the path to “you had me at hello” is often paved with creepy intentions — actions so egregious that sometimes you’re just a girl, sitting in front of a screen, asking, “what the HELL did I just watch?” https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/problematic-rom-coms-edits.mp3 2018-08-2626 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E4: Ladies We Love to Love Sometimes the character you’re supposed to love to hate becomes a character you love to love. Join Keli and Alice as they defend the Lady Susans, Blair Waldorfs, and Amy Dunnes of the world. Listen up, and raise a glass to the mean girls, the crazy girls, the bitchy girls—the girls who make our lives a little bit more interesting. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/ladies-we-love-to-love-edits-1.mp3 2018-08-2032 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 E3: NanetteHannah Gadsby’s “Nanette” is a comedy special unlike any other. Part stand-up, part TED talk. All the emotions. Join Keli and Alice as they return to the pod fort to fan-girl over Hannah’s heart, humor, and knowledge of art history. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/nanette-edits.mp3 2018-08-1234 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 Ep 2: Snape vs. Malfoy  Keli and Alice have a lot of thoughts about Severus Snape. So many, in fact, that they have tried to record this episode on three separate occasions. (Alice always gets angry, Keli always talks her down. Spoilers abound.) On the one hand: Snape is a middle age man obsessed with torturing eleven-year-olds because he got friend-zoned that one time. On the other hand: #Always, I guess? So, where does that leave us. Listen to hear Alice and Keli’s thoughts on all things Snape, and whether his redemption arc comes at the expense of Draco Malf...2018-04-2300 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS2 Ep 1: Cat Person Keli and Alice kick off the second season of SnarkNotes by hanging out in a blanket fort! (Clearly the more things change, the more things stay the same.) Join them as they dive into “Cat Person”, a short story by Kristen Roupenian that details the perils of dating in a world full of aggressive texts and unwanted forehead kisses. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cat-person-final-with-notes.m4a 2018-03-1900 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesSnarkNotes Short: Where Are They Now? Most people spend the night of their 10 year high school reunion catching up with old classmates. Alice and Keli have never been most people. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/reunion-edited.mp3 2017-11-2614 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesSnarkNotes Short: Pop Star Conspiracies Hey, hey! You, you! Have you heard about Melissa? Keli walks us through a few of her favorite conspiracy theories. Alice does her best to keep up, but gets distracted by her love of Sk8er Boi. Which is basically a perfect song. I mean, he was a boy, she was a girl. Can I make it any more obvious? Seriously people. What more can I say? https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/celebrity-conspiracies-edited.mp3     2017-11-2013 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 7: Ed Sheeran What does a large inflatable lobster have to do with multi-platinum singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran? Listen to this episode of SnarkNotes to find out! Self-professed “Sheerios”, Keli and Alice discuss their favorite Ed Sheeran songs and explain the many, many reasons he should want to be their friend. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ed-sheeran-v5.mp3 2017-10-0232 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 6: Beauty and the Beast It’s a tale as old as time: girl meets troll bear, household objects start to sing, and Stockholm Syndrome ensues. Keli and Alice are avid Disney fans with mixed feelings about Beauty and the Beast. On the one hand, who doesn’t love a bookish heroine who wants adventures in the great wide somewhere? On the other, does she have to be such a brat? Spoiler: They all live happily ever after. Except for Gaston. And maybe Chip. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/beauty-and-the-beast-vdraft-ab.mp3 2017-08-0727 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesSnarkNotes Short: the Art of Shipping Want more SnarkNotes? In an effort to release more content with greater regularity, Keli and Alice have decided to publish some shorter, bonus content. In the first SnarkNotes Short they explain the art of shipping and discuss the popular Remus / Lupin (or WolfStar) ship. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/remus-sirius.mp3 2017-07-2308 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 5: Body Sock Kids Keli and Alice were sensitive children who eventually grew and matured into neurotic adults. In this episode they each recount four books or movies that messed with their young, fragile minds – sometimes scarring them for life. In this episode they’ll explain how almost anything – from green ribbons, to songs about cavemen, to Muppets – can be scary. Mild spoilers related to stories you probably don’t care about. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/body-sock-kids-vfinal-ab.mp3 2017-07-1027 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 4: Romantic Zeroes O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou the absolute worst? Let us count the ways. In this SnarkNotes episode, Keli and Alice take the time to discuss heroes (and couples) that the general public romanticizes even though they really shouldn’t. They argue that the romantic heroes of classic literature are seriously lacking. Romeo is a player. Healthcliff is a sociopath. Gatsby isn’t exactly “great”. All in all, a stand up group of guys. Spoiler warning. This episode touches on major plot points in Romeo & Juliet, Wuthering Heights, and the Great Gatsby. (You’ll never guess how...2017-06-1822 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 3: Dystopian Literature Dystopian literature was all fun and games until Trump got elected. Now, terrifying hypotheticals feel a little too real. In this episode of Snarknotes, Keli and Alice discuss what they like about dystopian literature before counting down the plots that seem most likely to happen given our current political climate. Warning: this episode is dark and full of spoilers. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/dystopian-future-v-to-edit-2.mp3 2017-05-2231 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 2: The Cursed Child You may not be able to go home again, but you can go back to Hogwarts. Whether or not you should is a different matter entirely. Keli and Alice discuss their long established love for Harry Potter before laying out some grievances with the Cursed Child. Draco / Harry and Harry / Hermione fans beware – we think both your ships are batshit insane. Please expect copious amounts of love for Scorpious Malfoy – the lovable cinnamon roll the Harry Potter fandom needs, but does not deserve. Listen here! Spoilers, spoilers everywhere. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2-cursed-child-v-to-edit.mp3 2017-04-0925 minSnarkNotesSnarkNotesS1 Ep 1: Mr. DarcyIt is a truth rarely acknowledged, that the best Darcy is a socially awkward Darcy. In SnarkNotes’ pilot episode Keli and Alice discuss the many ways that Pride & Prejudice’s Mr. Darcy is incredibly, painfully, awkward. Here at SnarkNotes each cringe-worthy moment makes us (love, love) love him all the more ardently. Judge for yourself just how socially inept Darcy can be and whether you like him better that way. Listen here and comment below! As always, please expect spoilers. https://snarknotespodcast.blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/1-pride-prejudice-v-to-edit.mp3 2017-03-1221 min