Turning Stories Into Novels With Joseph Esper

About this episode

Joseph Esper discusses the intersection of acting and creative writing with Melissa Ford Lucken.

Actor, author and Lansing Community College student Joseph Esper chats with Professor of Creative Writing Melissa Ford Lucken. Esper, a Creative Writing major, muses about the role of acting in his creative life, reveals his intense dislike for The Catcher in the Rye , and ponders the ways gaming story structure inspires his own creative works. Joseph's website Joseph’s novel, Follies of Humanity _________________________ Website: Washington Square Review Melissa's Website: Adventures in MFALand Facebook: Melissa Ford Lucken Instagram: Melissa Ford Lucken

People in this episode

Host: Melissa Ford Lucken

Guest: Joseph Esper

Topics covered

• creative writing
• acting
• story structure
• gaming
• literature

Keywords

• creative writing
• Joseph Esper
• Melissa Ford Lucken
• The Catcher in the Rye
• Follies of Humanity
• storytelling
• gaming

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Lansing Community College, Washington Square Review, Adventures in MFALand

Books & works: The Catcher in the Rye, Follies of Humanity

More episodes of Washington Square On Air

• Wielding Words Like Excalibur With Ayesha Montgomery · June 9, 2026 · 31 min
• Remembering the In-Between Moments With Matt Thompson · May 26, 2026 · 33 min
• Myth-Crafting Through Fan-Fiction With Sarah DeToy · April 28, 2026 · 32 min
• A Pasodoble in Prose With Richard Stimac · April 14, 2026 · 30 min
• Braiding the Essay with Conviction With Lyzette Wanzer · March 31, 2026 · 27 min
• Pairing Poetry and Wine With Michael Waterson · March 17, 2026 · 26 min