© 2024 Kansas City Public Radio
NPR in Kansas City
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Author John Irving on Writing Process and His Latest Novel

John Irving in the KCUR studios
photo: Laura Spencer/KCUR
John Irving in the KCUR studios

Steve Kraske talks with novelist John Irving about his unique writing style, his latest book Last Night in Twisted River and its theme of wanting to control the uncontrollable.By Up to Date, Nov 12, 2009

?Listen?Podcast

John Irving writes backwards. He begins writing a book with the last sentence and from there he works back to where the story begins. The backwards writing process - from the last sentence to the first chapter- sometimes takes a year or eighteen months. But in eleven out of Irving's twelve novels, the last sentence has come first.

Steve Kraske talks with Irving about his unique writing style, his latest book Last Night in Twisted River and its theme of wanting to control the uncontrollable. We also dive in to his experiences in the movie business, how many screenplays he currently has in the works, and his Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Additional Information:
John Irving, author and wrestler, is one of America's most widely-read novelists. He is the author of nine novels, among them The World According to Garp, The Hotel New Hampshire, The Cider House Rules, A Prayer for Owen Meany, and A Son of the Circus.

KCUR serves the Kansas City region with breaking news and award-winning podcasts.
Your donation helps keep nonprofit journalism free and available for everyone.