Craft: Exploring Creativity

And here’s part two of my talk with improv performers from Columbus Unscripted. 

Quick, give me three words: Dog Bicycle Dandelion. With input as limited as that, Columbus Unscripted improv performers can create a scene that will make you laugh. A few weeks ago, Barbara, Bill, Lamont, Lorinda and Kayla from Columbus Unscripted stopped by … Continue reading →

He’s killed 70+ people across 25 books, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys it. “I’m going through what’s on that page. Even if someone is getting killed, maybe I’m getting killed, or maybe I’m feeling what occurs before I’m going to … Continue reading →

Bestselling author Marisa de los Santos knows about more than just writing books. The bestselling author joined us ahead of her April 1 visit to Columbus’s Thurber House to talk about her successful transition from poetry to prose, the struggle of returning … Continue reading →

Tyler Clementi Some writers claim to have all the answers. Joseph Kanon isn’t one of those writers. The NYT bestselling author is bringing more questions than answers with him to Columbus when he visits Thurber House Evenings with Authors on Thursday, March … Continue reading →

Ellis Paul, who will perform on March 6 with Six String Concerts, knows how to get people to pay for his art. Over 600 donors crowdfunded his most recent release Chasing Beauty to the tune of over $100,000, echoing the … Continue reading →

NYT bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini, will visit Columbus’s Book Loft on March 9 for a reading and book signing, featuring her latest novel, Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule. This historical fiction re-imagines the relationship between Julia Grant, wife of Union general Ulysses S. … Continue reading →

Singer-songwriter Irene Kelley has been singing and writing songs since her 1983 debut “Pennsylvania Is My Home.” Her latest album, the all-bluegrass “Pennsylvania Coal” was released in 2014. She’ll be appearing in Columbus with Six String Concerts on February 13. … Continue reading →

I love reactions and dialogue, so I got some immensely talented folks into a recording studio and played some snippets from past Craft interviews for them to get their take on aspects of creativity. Specifically, Columbus illustrators Dominic LaRiccia and Drew … Continue reading →

Last year, I was fortunate enough to talk to comedian Erin Foley before her very funny appearance at the Woodlands Tavern. She’s back this year on January 23 at the Woodlands Tavern to enjoy the potential of an Ohio polar … Continue reading →

Before graduating from Dartmouth College and the University of Minnesota’s MFA program, Matt Burgess grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens. His hometown has served as the location for both his first novel, Dogfight, A Love Story, which was a New … Continue reading →

  Singer-songwriter Rebecca Frazier will perform in Columbus on Friday, January 16, 2015 with Six String Concerts, along with Iris DeMent at the Columbus Performing Arts Center’s Shedd Theater. We talked about the writing of her  2013 album When We … Continue reading →

One rainy Saturday during the Ohioana Book Festival, Harmony Evans sat down with Kayla, the Craft summer intern, and was interrupted mid-interview by a low rumble that shook the entire room. This romance author responded, “Hey, I try to make … Continue reading →

Traveling or working out this Thanksgiving? Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman have suggestions for you about audiobooks and what to do if you find yourself in an audio booth reading from one of your uber-popular books, like Palmer’s The Art … Continue reading →

Best know for the international bestseller, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” Garth Stein will be in Columbus on Monday, November 24 as part of  the Thurber House’s Evenings with Authors series. His most recent release is the gothic/historical/coming-of-age/ghost story, … Continue reading →

Janet Evanovich’s 4 dozen books have sold millions of copies. Her latest book, part of the co-authored Fox and O’Hare series, is The Job, and she’ll discuss it and other aspects of her life on November 18th with the Thurber … Continue reading →

In case you don’t want to (or like me, really can’t) stay up until 12 AM Saturday for the Craft Halloween special tonight on WCBE (90.5 FM), you can listen here for storyteller Kevin Cordi, ghost-story collector Robin Smith, spiritual … Continue reading →

Egyptologist Kara Cooney makes dusty old topics fun. An associate professor at UCLA’s Near Eastern Languages and Cultures program, she’s a great mix of engaging speaker and public intellectual. My talk with her was one of most fun and smartest I’ve … Continue reading →

Nicholson Baker is a novelist, humorist, and social critic. His most recent release is The Paul Chowder Chronicles, which brings together two novels about Paul Chowder: The Anthologist and Traveling Sprinkler. Baker received a National Book Critics Circle Award in … Continue reading →

Matt Fraction (Twitter) writes comic books and won the first-ever PEN USA Literary Award for Graphic Novels. His comic collaborations and solo projects have won Eisners, Harveys, and Eagles, with his signature piece, Sex Criminals winning TIME Magazine’s Best Comic … Continue reading →

-Kayla If you’ve ever seen the design of a Lindsay Ward book, you realize reality is overrated. Ward is an accomplished children’s book illustrator and author who published Please Bring Balloons, When Blue Met Egg, and Pelly and Mr. Harrison Visit the … Continue reading →

            It’s Columbus’ third annual improv comedy festival, the Columbus Unscripted Improv Festival 2014. Hosted by Columbus Unscripted, the festival will include professional-level improvisational workshops as well as performances by over 15 local improv troupes and … Continue reading →

Got an itch to buy some new art to go with your collection, but you’re not a Wexner? Make plans to attend One Night,  the main  fundraiser event for the Ohio Art League. One Night will happen on Friday, October 10, and you … Continue reading →

Brad Henry is a doctoral student at the Ohio State University, working with technology, as well as Director of Technology for eStudent Learning. We sat down to talk about computer programming, technology, and his project with Code.org that encourages students to … Continue reading →

Several years ago, when Lee Child was in town with the Thurber House, I was scheduled to interview him. Unfortunately, I had to go out of town unexpectedly and missed him. Fortunately, I was able to catch up with him … Continue reading →