Created and hosted by writer and editor Rachel Yoder and produced by Draft: The Journal of Process and The Iowa Writer’s House, The Fail Safe is a podcast on a mission to help struggling writers overcome the obstacles that come with the creative writing process. Each episode invites different successful writers to reflect on the challenges and failures they have faced and examine what it is that helps turn them into successes.

In this episode, recorded live at Prairie Lights as a part of Iowa City’s Witching Hour festival, Yoder prompts MTV’s editorial director Jessica Hopper and award-winning author Alissa Nutting with the questions that loom over every creative mind: How do I get through this?

Before the conversation began, audience members were given a sheet of paper with a list of ten rules titled “Immaculate Heart College Art Department Rules,” originally written by John Cage and Sister Corita Kent, as shown in the image below. As the conversation began, Yoder noted that she keeps this list pinned to her work desk as a reminder and guide, reading a few of them aloud. This led into a deeper conversation on several more specific topics surrounding writing.

The first major topic discussed by the writers was that of managing self-doubt. After agreeing that “Facebook stalking” is a totally valid form of expressing admiration for those who inspire you, the three writers reflected on times they had doubted themselves and their writing and how they overcame that. Hopper recalled the times she had looked back on her ”awful,” “rookie” published writings and how that had hindered her current work flow. She stressed that writing is an ever-evolving process, and that a person should be gentle with him or herself when looking back on old works.

Nutting revealed to us a similar evolution, sharing her early writing memories of trying to replicate what her mind told her was “good writing” instead of it coming from herself. She shared a story about one of her early works as an undergrad where she wrote a fictional story from the point of view of a male soldier in Vietnam… We all have to start somewhere.

Another point concerning self-doubt, in Nutting’s words, was to “divorce writing from personal self-worth.” Both writers shared stories of getting caught in the whirlwinds of the constant, instant feedback of internet comments and reviews, and how damaging that was to their conceptions of themselves. Nutting mentioned that she found herself curtailing her writing because she was worried about the response it would get.

The big tip for this was to force yourself to unplug and silence the notifications, to avoid reading any comments to keep yourself sane. Both writers agreed that writing is something personal, something between yourself and your editor, and in order to create the truest writing, a person shouldn’t let unwanted, outside opinions stand in the way.

It’s important as well to mention that although this is true, the “Facebook stalking” mentioned at the beginning of the conversation was more than a cute joke – it was a way to tell us listeners that creative minds shouldn’t let the public dictate what or who you yourself aim to create or be. Instead, find inspiration and choose role models that suit YOU. Hopper mentioned some of her first inspirations, especially seeing women as leaders and role models, namely her own mother.

Many other topics and obstacles were touched in this episode of The Fail Safe – parenting, teaching, and job security, to name a few. If you are interested in hearing more of what these three wonderful, insightful, and funny women have to say, this podcast should be published within the next month or two, which you can anticipate here. If that seems too long, The Fail Safe already has several other episodes published – click here to catch up!

Right now Hopper is working on a proposal for a new novel, which is moving “at a glacial pace,” she said. Click here to keep up with what she’s doing.

To keep up with Nutting’s work, visit her site or follow her on Twitter.

The post Witching Hour: The Fail Safe @ Prairie Lights 11/5/16 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Disclaimer: This review contains content unsuitable for minors, work situations, and the well mannered. Read at the risk of being offended.

Bo Burnham is no stranger to Iowa City. In 2010 he had a show at The Englert Theatre, and in 2012 he had another show at Englert Theatre. Last night Bo returned once again to the IMU Main Lounge, with brand new material in his fourth comedic tour, the “what.” Tour.

For those unaware, Bo Burnham is a musical comedic sensation who gained a fan-base via YouTube in 2006. His popularity grew over the years, and in August 2008 he became the youngest comedian to record a Comedy Central comedy special, just four days shy of his 18th birthday. His first CD was released in 2009, and has since released a second, and in the process of recording his third, What. Recently he filmed the first season of his MTV show, “Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous”, in which he stars, writes and produces. The first episode premiered last Thursday night, (watch the first full episode here), and 11 more episodes of season 1 are set to air Thursday nights at 9:30 central.

People, (mainly UI students), lined the street outside the IMU waiting to see Bo. Some people had been waiting for so long that they were working on homework while waiting for the 7pm doors. Loyal Bo Burnham fans.

Opening comedian Drew Lynch had me laughing through the entirety of his set. Not one of his jokes flopped and I was highly impressed with his bravery. Lynch has a verbal stutter due to a sports accident involving his vocal chords, yet still is an amazing comedian and stand-up performer. Check out his stand-up here.

After Lynch’s act, Bo Burnham hit the stage. He opened the show with a funny, but bizarre five-minute-long narrated introduction. It included dancing, singing, magic tricks, 40 seconds of “prolonged eye contact” with an audience member in front of him, and shouting “Fuck you!” to the front row.

The first song he played was called #Deep,  a new song from his upcoming album, and followed it with the most hilarious and vulgar “love poem” you’ve ever heard titled “I Fuck Sluts”.

One thing that must be said about Bo Burnham is that he is undoubtedly unique with both his verbal and physical comedy. A short list of the outrageous things Burnham did on stage would include throwing bouncy balls at the crowd (unexpectedly), simulating masturbation, pulling a cloud of rainbow glitter out of his pocket, and telling a joke in slow motion.

No one can argue that Bo Burnham is not talented in any aspect, and I was pleasantly surprised by his ability to play the keyboard. I also was surprised that some of his comedic songs and material had some serious underlying commentary on actual issues like religion, gay rights, and shallowness of the music industry.

Bo closed the show with a hilarious new song he recently wrote, which he described as “a song from the perspective of God.”

But after he exited the stage, Bo came back on stage and performed two of his classic and highly popular songs, “Love Is . . .” and “OH BO”. During “Love Is . . .” he changed the Anne Frank lyric to “. ..like Anne Frank wanted to be a Belieber.” Which the crowd went crazy for, and even earned a laugh from Bo himself as he delivered it. He also spent some time talking to the crowd, and thanking them for coming out on a Tuesday night. He exited the stage saying “If you liked what I did, my name’s Bo Burnham  If you didn’t like what I did, my name’s Kendrick Lamar.” To which the crowd responded with applause and a standing ovation.

After the show both Drew and Bo waited to meet and take pictures with every single fan that lined up, (which was a couple hundred roughly). When I met Bo I asked him, “What did you think of Iowa City and the crowd?” and he responded with, “Iowa City is amazing.  Been here three times in three years, always fun. They’re great. Very patient, they listen, they’re loud and excited. It’s great. So in conclusion, I hate it.” He kept his humorous answers going when I asked him about his plans to return to Iowa City, “Uh when I have new material  It might take me ten years but. . ” Lastly I asked him how I should end my article about his show, so here you go Bo. What ever you want.

To stay updated with Bo’s stand-up and his new show on MTV, follow him on Twitter.

To read reporter Eric Moore’s one-on-one interview with Bo after the show, click here.

The post Bo Burnham Returns to Iowa City With New Material appeared first on KRUI Radio.