This American Wife Episode 56 - Pamela Ribon, special guests Amy Tan and Sam Barry
“Side Gigs” The Rock Bottom Remainders are bestselling authors by day, and rock stars by night. Hear tales of this literary supergroup (including Stephen King, Matt Groening, Dave Barry, and Byrds cofounder Roger McGuinn) from band members Sam Barry and Amy Tan. Also, bestselling author Pamela Ribon has a new book called “You Take It From Here,” and so we take it to a lot of fascinating detours, including her time as an anime actress and a roller derby girl. Stay with us.
Produced and edited by Eric Martin.
Hosted by Paul Jay, co-produced by Jen Goldberg.
Created by Ned Hepburn and Eric Martin.
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July 2012
5 posts
I first thought up the idea for this novel when I was on an airplane. My first set of scribbled notes has the telltale signs of a bumpy flight. I work well on airplanes – trapped in a tiny seat, facing forward, usually no Internet, trapped with strangers and questionable food choices. I find the words come freely the more uncomfortable my situation. (This also explains why I enjoy working in television.) A friend of mine does an impression of me in what she calls my “writing stance” – doubled over at the edge of the couch in a protective hunch, attacking the keyboard in an attempt to get the words out before I pee myself. That is exactly what I’m doing when I’m at my most inspired.
When literary agents say they are looking for “voice-driven” writing (of any genre), I imagine they are looking for someone like Pamela Ribbon.
Because I’ve been so immersed in the world of creative nonfiction and memoir for the last few years, my fiction reading is rather anemic….
3. If he’s got a girlfriend, you need to stop trying to be so great of a best friend to him.
This isn’t a romantic comedy; this isn’t how you’re going to find a soul mate. This is a recipe for disaster. Either you are going to fall in (what you think is) love and waste months upon months waiting for this guy to feel the same way about you, or he is going to keep using you as his girlfriend Fairy Godmother, who keeps making him a better boyfriend by telling him how you wish he felt about you. Also, his actual girlfriend? Hates you so much right now. Not to mention, all that time she’s got on her hands because you’re off with her boyfriend? Right now she’s using it to make everyone else hate you just as much as she does. Go find some nice girls to hang out with until you find a cute, single boy who wants to play video games with you and only you.
