Writer Nicholson Baker on writing a love song in “Traveling Sprinkler”

GUEST: NICHOLSON BAKER

Last time we spoke with writer NICHOLSON BAKER we met his character Paul Chowder in the 2009 novel, “The Anthologist.” Chowder was a poet toiling on an introduction to a poetry anthology and missing his former girlfriend, Roz. Well, Chowder still wants Roz back and in Baker’s new novel he’s going to do it through song. Chowder is supposed to be writing a new book of poetry, but thinks of himself as a former musician (he put down the bassoon when he was 20, 35 years ago), takes guitar lessons and ponderously dabbles in pop culture, hoping to write that poignant love ballad. Nicholson Baker’s new novel is “Traveling Sprinkler.”