In 2004, Daniel Wallace led a workshop at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference that changed James’s life. They reconnect to discuss Daniel’s wonderful new book, EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES, and in the process touch on not trusting compliments, using word clouds, writing sex scenes, and why no one is named Crouton. Then, Kelly Luce joins the show to talk about working with Denis Johnson, who passed away on May 24.

Daniel Wallace

James and Daniel Discuss:

Hannah Tinti

Gordon Lish

Columbia University

Amy Hempel

ESQUIRE MAGAZINE

Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference

ONE STORY

Thomas Edison

Leo Tolstoy

–

Kelly Luce

Kelly and James Discuss:

Denis Johnson works-

JESUS’ SON

TRAIN DREAMS

TREE OF SMOKE

ANGELS

FISKADORO

THE NAME OF THE WORLD

Thomas Pynchon

Joy Williams

“The Late Homecomer” by Mavis Gallant

The Book of Jonah

“Gambling Hans” by the Grimm Brothers