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 64 - Communicating Faith with Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Episode 63 - Purpose at the Core with Nikki Little
Episode 62 - Finding “Soul Purpose” with Jen Coken
Episode 61 - Merle Saferstein - How to leave a legacy through journaling
Episode 60 - Vickie Thompson-Sandy - How to lead a nonprofit by inspiring others to reach their potential
Episode 59 - Higher Learning with Molly Worthen
Episode 58 - Being Grateful: A special Thanksgiving episode with Kristi Nelson and Nedal Al-Hayek
Episode 57 – Positive Public Health with Tista Ghosh
Episode 56 - Ken Budd - How to be a voluntourist
Episode 55 - Understanding Adolescence with Lisa Damour
Episode 54 - Quilting Advocacy with Sandy North
EPISODE 53 – RERUN: Just Be Nice with Paul Saginaw
Episode 52 - Journey to the Self with Stacy Dockins
Episode 51 – Storytelling Marketing & Strategic Messaging with Lynne Golodner and Christina Weaver
Episode 50 - Strengthening Intellect With Gautam Jain
Episode 49 - Saving The Bees
Episode 48 - The NFHS Reunion Episode: Reflecting on 30 Years Since graduation
Episode 47 – Quieting the Mind with Linda Makowski
Episode 46 – Creating Communities with Amy Haimerl and David Dwaihy
Episode 45 - Life from Death with Dr. Joshua Mezrich, MD
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