Patrick Hicks is an Irish Catholic writer from Minnesota who has a deep fascination with the Holocaust. He has written three Holocaust novels and has conducted extensive research on the subject, visiting twelve different concentration camps and speaking with survivors. Patrick is also a professor at Augustana University in South Dakota, where he teaches writing and literature.
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Patrick about his newest book, Across the Lake. In his second time on the Make Meaning Podcast, Patrick explains what inspired this novel, driven by research on gender and violence. He reflects on the impact of writing about such a dark period in human history and the importance of standing up to fascism at any time, especially today. The interview concludes with a discussion on topics that engage students today and a look at the future of writing.
In this episode, Lynne and Patrick discuss:
Inspiration for Across the Lake
Braided narratives
How to create compelling characters that are starkly different from the author
Challenging yourself as an author
Why it’s so important for an Irish Catholic novelist to write about the Holocaust
Character development and story visioning
The art of naming characters
Gender differences in violence during the Holocaust
The impact on the author of writing about the Holocaust
The importance of addressing fascism and hatred in fiction
Contemporary students' interest in equality and progressivism
Links and Resources:
Patrick’s first interview on the Make Meaning Podcast, episode 102
In the Shadow of Dora
Ravensbrück concentration camp
PBS: Public Broadcasting Service
Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower
Aufseherin
B17 bombers
Augustana University
Patriot Front
Find Patrick Hicks:
Website
Twitter
Blog
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically
Episode 123 – Karen Gordon – On Surviving the Surviving
Episode 117 – Steven Wingate – How to Find Your Voice Again & Again
Episode 102 – Patrick Hicks – How to Write Historical Fiction
Episode 68 – M.L. Liebler – H ow to Use Writing & Performance to be an Activist
Episode 61 – Merle Saferstein – How to Leave a Legacy Through Journaling
Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie
Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore
Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author
Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction
Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing
Episode 159 – April Davila - Meditation & Writing
Episode 158 - Suzanne Nugent - On Character Development
Episode 157 - Blake Kimzey - Creating a Writing Community
Episode 156 - Blair Fell - Original Storylines & Unique Characters
Episode 155 - Martha Anne Toll - Finely Crafted, Award-Winning Fiction
Episode 154 - Dawn Chalker - Writing What You Know
Episode 153 – Jewish Books, Jewish Authors
Episode 152 - Ami Irmen - Character-Driven Narratives
Episode 151 - Rochelle Weinstein - Writing Best-Selling Novels
Episode 150 - Lisa Peers - First Novels & Writing Friendships
Episode 149 – Anne-Marie Oomen - Writing through Family
Episode 148 – Woman of Valor - Katie Scott interviews Lynne about her debut novel!
Episode 147 – Diane Gottlieb - Writing Short & Writing Well
Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon - Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
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