What happens when a celebrated children's author decides to explore the messy, vulnerable truth of adult friendships and motherhood? Corey Ann Haydu takes us behind the scenes of her vulnerable leap into adult fiction with Mothers and Other Strangers, a dual-timeline story exploring friendship, motherhood, and the weight of secrets across generations.

In this episode, Corey reveals the seven-year journey behind her stunning adult debut. She opens up about the fear of leaving her comfort zone, how writing for children prepared her to honor the gravity of childhood and adolescence, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your manuscript is walk away for months at a time.

Whether you're contemplating a genre shift, wrestling with point of view, or wondering how to balance creative freedom with craft discipline, this conversation offers wisdom earned through years of experience—and the courage to start over.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to transition between genres without losing your voice—and why constraint can be both limiting and liberating

• The art of roving close third-person POV—techniques for seamlessly moving between multiple characters' perspectives

• When to put a manuscript aside—how taking breaks and evolving as a person can strengthen your work

• Character development strategies—finding the emotional entry point and building from small connections to fully realized people

• The power of taking childhood seriously—why honoring adolescent perspectives creates deeper, more resonant adult fiction

• Navigating vulnerability in a new market—what it's like to submit as an unknown after years of publishing success

• Craft accountability tricks—why writing down your creative decisions (not just thinking them) transforms your work

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Topics Covered:

[0:00] - Introduction

[0:36] - Starred Reviews & Praise

[2:09] - About Mothers and Other Strangers

[3:05] - The personal inspiration behind the story

[4:42] - Transitioning to Adult Fiction

[9:48] - Writing Childhood from an Adult Lens

[12:05] - Mom Friends - the unique dynamics of parent friendships

[14:45] - Point of View Choices - The roving close third-person POV and how Corey made it work seamlessly across four main characters

[19:37] - Why May became Corey's entry point into the story

[22:08] – Corey’s Writing Process and the value of stepping away and returning with fresh perspective

[27:55] - From Actor to Writer - Corey's journey from theater conservatory to realizing writing was her true calling

[30:50] - Road to Publication

[39:23] - Lessons Learned - What Corey wishes she'd known before publishing her first book

[43:56] - Teaching at Vermont College of Fine Arts - How teaching MFA students has clarified Corey's own craft and provided emotional grounding beyond publishing's uncertainties

[49:26] - Advice for Aspiring Authors

[52:26] - Theme Song choice