Luther professor Nancy Barry's radio program talks about the art of writing

Luther College English Professor Nancy Barry says she's a fan of the National Public Radio program "Car Talk."  She admires the way the hosts, brothers Tom and Ray Magliazzi, talk about cars so that the average non-mechanical person can understand the process followed to figure out the cause of a car problem.

It's that same "opportunity for conversation" she's hoping for in a new radio program on 1240 KWLC at 7:00 p.m. Sundays.  "The Naked Page" is subtitled "Car Talk for Writers."

She says when someone writes, there are two audiences--not just the readers, but also the writer herself or himself.  That means the writer must be more aware of his or her thoughts.  It's not a case of "give it to the readers, it's finished," she says, because the reality on the page is not fixed.

Barry will take phone calls and e-mails about writing, but also on any other topic people want to discuss.  For instance, this Sunday her program will discuss Bob Dylan, who received a Nobel Prize for Literature earlier this month.  Her guest, local Dylan aficionado Ben Gardner, will discuss Dylan's works with her.  She's looking forward to the conversations, saying of Dylan, "What his lyrics did was to create a cultural movement."

You can e-mail questions to Barry in advance at barrynan@luther.edu or you can call her after 7:00 p.m. Sunday at (563) 387-1240.