2005 Video INTERVIEWS
Molly Ivins
In this video interview from “Writing Across Texas,” Sara Laas sits down with Austin icon Molly Ivins (1944-2007), the newspaper columnist, author, and political commentator who had a gift for using her wit to critique political figures and their follies.
Ann Patchett
Author Ann Patchett received the 2002 PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction in the same year, for her novel Bel Canto. Patchett’s other novels include The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, The Magician’s Assistant, Run, State of Wonder, Commonwealth, The Dutch House, and Tom Lake.
The Writers’ League of Texas honored her with its first-ever award for literary merit. Watch her interview with Sara Laas.
Christopher Lawford
Many books have been written about the Kennedy family, and Christopher Kennedy Lawford wrote a memoir, Symptoms of Withdrawal, about his journey with drug and alcohol addition, and also about being the son of Hollywood and political powerhouses (Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy Lawford). Watch his interview with Sara Laas.
Jodi THomas
Jodi Thomas is an award-winning author who has written more than 60 popular books of historical women’s fiction before turning her attention to more contemporary topics, such as a thriller set in Austin. Thomas sat down with Sara Laas for this interview.
Michael Barnes
Sara Laas interviewed Michael Barnes, who writes about the history and culture of Texas for the Austin American-Statesman. Barnes has written more than 5,000 articles on everything from architecture to opera.
Kathi Appelt
Sara Puig Laas interviewed Kathi Appelt, an author with a flair for rhyme and for capturing the attention of young readers. Appelt has won many awards, including the 2005 Teddy Award from the Writers’ League of Texas. That book is Miss Lady Bird’s Wildflowers, which is a book that shows how the former first lady used her love of wildflowers to make America more beautiful.