Podcast Summary: Totally Booked with Zibby – Episode Featuring Jennifer Chavalyan and A Beautiful Family

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Totally Booked with Zibby, host Zibby Owens welcomes Jennifer Chavalyan, the author of the novel A Beautiful Family. Released on August 14, 2025, this episode delves deep into Jennifer's literary journey, the themes of her novel, and her insights into character development and the grieving process.

About the Book: A Beautiful Family

Jennifer Chavalyan provides a compelling overview of her novel, setting the stage for the discussion. A Beautiful Family is a coming-of-age mystery set in 1985 on the Kapiti Coast of New Zealand. The story revolves around a young girl named Alex who, during a family holiday, befriends a boy on the beach. Together, they embark on solving a local mystery. Amidst their adventure, Alex observes unsettling changes within her family—her mother's strange behavior, her sister's questionable associations, and the eerie presence of a man next door who seems to be watching them closely.

Jennifer Chavalyan [03:40]: "A Beautiful Family is set in 1985 on the Kapiti coast of New Zealand and it's a sort of coming of age mystery novel about a little girl who goes away on a holiday with her family and she befriends a boy on the beach and they decide to try and solve a local mystery."

Character Development and Themes

Zibby Owens commends Jennifer on her ability to evoke fear and tension, particularly through the character of the mysterious neighbor. Jennifer acknowledges the effectiveness of this portrayal.

Zibby Owens [04:21]: "Yeah, he creeps me out."

Jennifer Chavalyan [04:24]: "Yeah, he's supposed to creep you out. That's good."

The conversation shifts to the nostalgic elements of the 1980s, with both hosts reminiscing about their childhood experiences, such as the significance of Walkmans and the absence of social media, which made music and books essential escapes for children during that era.

Zibby Owens [04:49]: "And also I was reading the book and thinking, wait a minute, I was 10 years old in 1986... and knowing how it felt when you Lost the Walkman and just all of that dependence on music at that time, especially because there was no social media."

Jennifer reflects on her own memories, emphasizing the authenticity they bring to her writing.

Jennifer Chavalyan [05:10]: "I was 10 in 1985, and my Walkman was my world... It was very easy to remember what that was like and sort of see it into my memory."

The discussion further explores sibling dynamics, particularly focusing on Alex's relationship with her older sister and the inherent tensions that arise as children grow and change.

Zibby Owens [07:03]: "Especially the older sister part, too, where you're growing up... you reflect so beautifully the interior life of your main character."

Jennifer Chavalyan [06:11]: "I think Alex worries a lot and wants to protect, but at the same time, they're driving each other crazy because it's just that time in life where your sibling drives and she doesn't want to get in trouble herself."

Exploring Grief and Emotional Depth

A pivotal moment in the conversation centers around the portrayal of grief in the novel. Zibby highlights a scene where Alex interacts with a grieving mother, capturing the subtle yet profound emotional expressions without overt exposition.

Zibby Owens [08:30]: "So you don't have to say all of this, but in the way you describe the emotions flashing over her face, you tell the whole story with just the way she looks."

Jennifer draws from her personal experiences as a mother to authentically depict grief, ensuring the narrative remains sensitive and genuine.

Jennifer Chavalyan [09:21]: "It's not that hard to imagine, sadly, something awful like that... I just try and get right into the scene and get into both characters and imagine it as I'm writing. And hopefully that was authentic."

She shares a poignant personal anecdote that influenced her portrayal of grief, emphasizing the realism she strives for in her characters' emotions.

Author's Journey: From Aspiration to Publication

Zibby delves into Jennifer's path to becoming an author, uncovering the challenges and triumphs she experienced along the way. Jennifer candidly discusses her initial struggles with writing, her disciplined approach to crafting her first drafts, and the pivotal moment when she decided to pursue a Master’s in Creative Writing.

Jennifer Chavalyan [18:01]: "I always did want to write... when I was about 39, I realized if I didn't knuckle down and do something, this was not going to happen."

Jennifer shares the sacrifices and unwavering commitment that fueled her writing journey, highlighting the importance of perseverance and continuous improvement.

Jennifer Chavalyan [21:02]: "I am trying to challenge myself. I'm not trying to write A Beautiful Family again. So I'm trying new things that scare me a little bit. And it's exciting."

Advice to Aspiring Authors

In a heartfelt segment, Jennifer offers invaluable advice to budding writers. She stresses the importance of being "ruthless" with one's writing time, a term she credits to renowned author Elizabeth Strout.

Jennifer Chavalyan [24:55]: "First of all, I do think it's really important that you're ruthless with your writing time... Elizabeth Strout said that you have to be ruthless."

She encourages writers to passionately connect with their stories, comparing the first draft to having a secret crush—something fragile yet irresistible.

Jennifer Chavalyan [25:13]: "I feel like a first draft especially should feel like when you have a crush on someone... It must feel that sort of obsessive, like, I'm so fascinated with this, I can't let it go."

Jennifer emphasizes dedication and the necessity of carving out dedicated time to nurture one's craft, ensuring that external distractions do not hinder the creative process.

Conclusion

The episode culminates with Jennifer expressing her hopes for readers to form lasting connections with her characters and to engage deeply with the unresolved elements of the story. Zibby and Jennifer share personal reflections on memory and the subjective nature of experiences, reinforcing the novel's themes of memory and perception.

Jennifer Chavalyan [16:19]: "I want the book to stay in your mind when you put it down... to leave a few things to the imagination so that you can mull it over and think, well, maybe they did this, maybe they did that."

Zibby relates this to her own family memories, underscoring the universal quest to understand and recall personal histories accurately.

Zibby Owens [17:22]: "My dad, my brother, and I all had this experience in a car where I could swear I was driving... now we'll never know."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a profound exploration of Jennifer Chavalyan's A Beautiful Family, shedding light on the intricate crafting of a mystery novel that intertwines personal growth, familial tensions, and the haunting presence of grief. Jennifer's candid discussions provide aspiring authors with both inspiration and practical advice, making this episode a must-listen for anyone passionate about writing and storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Jennifer Chavalyan [03:40]: "A Beautiful Family is set in 1985 on the Kapiti coast of New Zealand and it's a sort of coming of age mystery novel..."

• Zibby Owens [04:21]: "Yeah, he creeps me out."

• Jennifer Chavalyan [09:21]: "I just try and get right into the scene and get into both characters and imagine it as I'm writing."

• Jennifer Chavalyan [24:55]: "First of all, I do think it's really important that you're ruthless with your writing time."

• Jennifer Chavalyan [16:19]: "I want the book to stay in your mind when you put it down."