Welcome to The Write Question, a program that explores the world of writing and publishing in the western United States. Our guest today is poet David James Duncan from Lolo, Montana.
LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM
READ THE WRITE QUESTION BLOG
David James Duncan is a father, a fly fisher, a practitioner of what he calls “direct, small-scale compassion/activism,” and the author of the novels The River Why and The Brothers K, the story collection River Teeth, and the nonfiction collections My Story as Told by Water and God Laughs & Plays.
Duncan has spoken all over the U.S. on rivers and wilderness, the necessity of imaginative and religious freedom, the tragi-comedy of the writing life, the dire importance of wild salmon, and the charm of the non-monastic contemplative life.
Duncan's work has won three Pacific Northwest Bookseller’s Awards, two Pushcart Prizes, a Lannan Fellowship, the Western States Book Award, a National Book Award nomination, inclusion in four volumes of Best American Spiritual Writing and forty other anthologies, an honorary doctorate in humane letters from University of Portland, the American Library Association's 2003 Award for the Preservation of Intellectual Freedom (with co-author Wendell Berry), and many other honors. He is a contributing editor to Orion magazine, a co-founder of the Liam Wood Fly Fishers and River Guardians, and an advisor to several grassroots organizations.
Duncan also scripted and narrated a multiple-award-winning 2005 documentary on bamboo flyrods: Trout Grass
David James Duncan lives with his family in western Montana, where he is working on a novel called Eastern Western.
A list of books written by David James Duncan.
David James Duncan on Wikipedia.
"What Fundamentalists Need for Their Salvation," by David James Duncan.
"A Prayer for Water and Children," by David James Duncan.
A "Grist" interview with David James Duncan.
FYI: Information About New Books By Regional Authors
Recently published books by regional writers include, Hiking Alone: Trails Out, Trails Home, by Mary Beath from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
And new from Riverbend Publishing: Sherlock Holmes: The Montana Chronicles, by Dr. John H. Watson, edited by John. S. Fitzpatrick from Helena, Montana..
For more information about new books, contact your favorite bookseller or library.
And here’s a quote from David James Duncan: "To let real sorrow, pain and joy come as they will, to open to each, then send them flowing from life into pen onto paper -- this, I believe, is the truest fun in writing.”
The Write Question is produced by Chérie Newman.
Executive producer, Michael Marsolek.
Special thanks to Barbara Theroux, Prageeta Sharma, Renée McGrath, and Kim Anderson.
This program is supported in part by The Greater Montana Foundation — encouraging communication on issues, trends, and values of importance to Montanans. And by Humanities Montana, enriching intellectual, cultural, and civic life for all Montanans.
This program included music by Michael Blessing and Springhill.
Send comments to Chérie Newman
