Some Story: Recent Episodes
Some Story Productions
Some Story is a podcast about short stories. In the spirit of George Saunders’ A Swim In a Pond in the Rain, friends and writers Russell Hehn and Brian Blickenstaff try to discover what makes good stories work.
Russell Hehn is a father, writer, and lawn care professional living in Birmingham, Alabama. He has work published in McSeeeney’s, the Barcelona Review, and the Museum of America.
Brian Blickenstaff is an American writer and journalist based in Heidelberg, Germany. He is a former VICE staff writer.
Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer
Brian and Russell discuss the short story "Ponies" by Kij Johnson and observe the therapeutic role of community pools... applaud Russell for his latest publication... remember My Little Pony... canonize a new Saint of Late Bloomers... consider positive cliches... wonder about the patriarchy and "girl stuff"... and much more!
This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Read Ponies here.
Read Russell's newest publication, "Queen of Wrath," here.
Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow
Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books, Kij Johnson
Brian and Russell discuss the short story "Water Liars" by Barry Hannah and do a Historians of History (TM) on Russell's papaw... discuss other sightings of water liars... consider some old Barry Hannah advice... laugh at about an old guy saying "intercourse" ...wonder why writers don't just say what they mean more often... and much more!
This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow
Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books
Brian and Russell discuss Andrea Barrett's short story "The Littoral Zone" and talk Shorties... congratulate Russell on his new job... remember when Brian (almost) passed out on a school trip... consider the pros and cons of putting constraints on artistic work... talk about memory... discuss a lesson writers might take from drawing comics... learn about how Russell met and wooed his wife... and much more! This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Tags: writing, fiction, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books, Andrea Barrett, the National Book Award, the ocean.
Brian and Russell discuss Deesha Philyaw's short story "Peach Cobbler" and talk pencils... remember Austin Powers... discuss what makes a good cobbler... consider the sexiest dessert... avoid cliches... argue about good endings... and much more! This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books, Deesha Philyaw, the National Book Award, dessert.
Brian and Russell discuss the short story "The Stone Boy" by Gina Berriault and do a Historians of History (TM) about how Dick Chaney once shot a man... discuss shame and the adolescent mind... learn writerly things about detail and mixing description and action... remember Sea Monkeys and Brian's failed business... talk about the secret language of adults... and get a sneak preview of an exciting collection of poetry Russell is working on. This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. Follow us on Twitter @SomeStoryShow
Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books
In this first episode of Some Story Short, Russell brings you an exercise that will help you learn from your favorite writers and work on your own creativity without getting bogged down in story structure. It's a great way to build confidence, explore technique, and get inside the head of the writers you most admire. When it comes time write your next story, you'll have an expanded toolkit to work with.
Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books
Brian and Russell discuss Isaac Babel's short story "My First Goose" and admire George Saunders' Story Club newsletter... wonder if Street Fighter II's M. Bison is Savitsky... remember a time night floating on Black Creek... learn about the Soviet Revolution and Lenin as Historians of History... talk about glasses and goose murder... listen to poetry... and much more! This podcast features music by Blue Dot Sessions. Tags: writing, fiction, George Saunders, storytelling, creativity, reading, writer, books