Podcast
True Fiction Project
Hosted by Reenita Hora · EN
The True Fiction Project is an unscripted-to-scripted podcast series that explores the journey of a story from non-fiction to fiction. It showcases the art of audio storytelling to explore how scripted fiction is inspired by our daily life, and it explores how audio storytelling can spark interesting IP that can be further developed for other media. Join our host Reenita Hora, as she conducts audio interviews with guests from all walks of life that have interesting stories. A fiction writer then listens to the interview, defines a main character inspired by it, and creates a piece of short audio fiction based on it. The episode pieces together the interview (non-fiction), the audio story + the print version (both fiction). Learn more at https://reenita.com/podcasts/true-fiction-project/
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Episodes
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S7 Ep 12 - Last Light Over Galveston
3w ago00:22:01Summary readyHistorical fiction meets raw human resilience in this rich conversation with award-winning author Jennifer Wright on this episode of the True Fiction Project. Jennifer’s book, Last Light Over Galveston, centers on women's empowerment during the turn of the century, following a young woman who defies her wealthy family in search of purpose, only to find herself stranded in Galveston as a monster hurricane bears down. Jennifer reveals how writing fiction based on real historical events gives readers the empathy that dry textbooks simply cannot. From her journalism roots to her life as an Air Force wife abroad, Jennifer brings an outsider's curiosity and an insider's discipline to every story she tells. Tune in to hear an excerpt of the book to when the character Kathleen arrives in Galveston, contemplating a decision as she arrives at the ocean.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why historical fiction is one of the most powerful tools for helping readers connect emotionally with real historical events, and how award-winning author Jennifer Wright uses storytelling to bring the human side of history to life in ways that journalism and textbooks simply cannot.How women's empowerment in the early 1900s was both revolutionary and dangerous, and what it cost a young woman to walk away from wealth and family in pursuit of purpose and passion during the turn of the century.What the research process looks like for a fiction writing project rooted in a real natural disaster, including how firsthand newspaper accounts from 1900 shaped the world of The Last Light Over Galveston.Why the period voice of historical fiction is one of the most challenging craft elements to master, and how collaboration with a skilled editor protects the authenticity of the story.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Jennifer Wright, award-winning author, introduces Kathleen, a wealthy woman craving purpose beyond marriage at the turn of the century02:27 Jennifer shares her journey from journalism to marriage to historical fiction and explains why historical storytelling can reveal the human side of history07:30 The plot of Last Light Over Galveston unfolds: women's empowerment, family conflict, and survival during the Galveston Hurricane10:30 Jennifer discusses the different time periods she chooses to write about and how books are marketed15:30 Jennifer and Reenita discuss the challenge of period voice and how editors protect the authenticity of historical fiction18:34 Jennifer Wright reads a snippet of the prologue of Last Light Over Galveston, of character Kathleen's arrival in GalvestonKEY TAKEAWAYS: Historical fiction has a unique power to draw readers into events they might otherwise dismiss. Jennifer Wright's work proves that when you place a fully realized human being inside a natural disaster, readers stop seeing history as a subject and start feeling it as an experience.Jennifer Wright's creative process begins with six months of deep research into a historical event before a single word of fiction is written. Her ability to compress that into three months under a publishing contract for Last Light Over Galveston speaks to both her discipline and her instincts as a fiction writing professional.Labeling books by age category, such as young adult or new adult, can quietly shrink an award-winning author's readership. Wright argues that a compelling protagonist transcends age and that character development should be the draw, not a marketing bracket.ABOUT THE GUEST: Jennifer Wright has been writing since middle school and eventually earned a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul–and definitely way more fun. A born-and-bred Hoosier, she was swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to fit old curtains into the windows of a new home. She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband and two children.Her debut novel, 'If It Rains,' was nominated for a Kipp Award, and her second novel, 'Come Down Somewhere,' was a 2023 Carol Award finalist. She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).Jennifer Wright - FacebookJennifer Wright - InstagramJennifer Wright - WebsiteLast Light over Galveston: by Wright, Jennifer L. - AmazonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 11 - Taylor Era by Era
Apr 2100:22:31Summary readyTaylor Swift biography writing takes rare skill, and Caroline Sullivan has mastered it. On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora sits down with UK-based music journalist Caroline Sullivan, author of Taylor Era by Era: The Unauthorized Biography, exploring Taylor Swift's remarkable rise. Caroline shares how deep research and dry wit shape her storytelling, revealing surprising details about Taylor's music activism, her fight to reclaim her album rights from Scooter Braun, and her extraordinary bond with her mother. Tune in to hear Caroline read from the afterword of Era by Era, capturing the final emotionally charged night of the Eras Tour in Vancouver and what comes next for Taylor Swift.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What an unauthorized biography actually means legally, and how a skilled music journalist like Caroline Sullivan conducts deep research without ever meeting the subject, using published sources, industry contacts, and her own expert voice to tell a compelling story about a Taylor Swift biography.How Taylor Swift's music activism led her to spend nearly five years fighting to buy back her first six albums from Scooter Braun, ultimately reclaiming her album rights and setting a powerful precedent for artists across the music industry.How Caroline approached the tone of Era by Era differently from other Taylor Swift books by weaving in dry British humor and personal music journalism perspective, turning dense research into a reading experience worthy of a Sunday Times bestseller.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Reenita opens with a bold question about unauthorized biography writing and what permissions are actually required.02:00 Caroline Sullivan discusses her six books, including pop star profiles of Madonna, Ed Sheeran, Adele, Dua Lipa, and Taylor Swift04:10 Deep dive into music journalism research methods and why published sources form the backbone of a music biography06:36 The origin story of Taylor Era by Era, how the publisher approached her after her Dua Lipa book, and how it sold 50,000 copies12:20 Discussion of Taylor Swift's music activism, her long battle to reclaim her album rights, and her influence on the broader music industry19:00 Caroline reads from the afterword of Taylor Era by Era, covering the final night of the Eras Tour in Vancouver and Taylor's appearance at the Grammy AwardsKEY TAKEAWAYS: Writing a Taylor Swift biography without the subject's cooperation is entirely legal and achievable through thorough research, industry sources, and a strong authorial voice. Caroline Sullivan proves that an unauthorized biography can outsell the competition when personality and craft drive the narrative.Taylor Swift's relentless pursuit of her album rights against Scooter Braun is one of the most significant acts of music activism in modern industry history, and one that Caroline documents with admiration throughout Taylor Era by Era, showing how Taylor uses her platform to benefit all artists.The Eras Tour was far more than a concert series. With 149 dates, a terrorist threat in Vienna, and fans paying just to listen from behind the stage, it became a cultural phenomenon that Caroline argues marks a turning point in pop star history and in Taylor's personal legacy.ABOUT THE GUEST: I'm a UK-based music journalist who writes for The Guardian and more, and have written seven books, most recently Taylor: Era by Era - an unofficial biography of Taylor Swift.Caroline Sullivan - FacebookCaroline Sullivan - Instagram X: @TheCSullivanTaylor Era by Era: The Unauthorized BiographyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 10 - The Last Spirits of Manhattan
Mar 3100:19:29Summary readyWhat happens when Alfred Hitchcock, Manhattan ghost stories, and a family legend collide? In this episode, debut novelist John McDermott reveals how he crafted The Last Spirits of Manhattan from a true event where Hitchcock rented his ancestor's decaying house for a celebrity-studded party. McDermott shares insights into the fiction writing process, navigating permissions for historical fiction featuring real figures, and why he added actual family ghosts to crash Hitchcock's 1956 soiree. From his publishing journey with Simon and Schuster to teaching undergraduates at Stephen F. Austin State University, McDermott offers invaluable lessons on creative writing and perseverance. Tune in to hear the chilling opening of The Last Spirits of Manhattan where Snug, a ghost trapped in the coal room, stirs as a new venture begins.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How to balance historical fiction writing accuracy with poetic license when featuring real celebrities like Alfred Hitchcock, Henry Fonda, and Charles Addams as characters in your supernatural fiction.The importance of literary research in crafting authentic period pieces, including navigating copyright permissions, advertising archives, and biographical sources when developing your novel.Strategies for incorporating family history and personal anecdotes into creative writing, as demonstrated by McDermott's transformation of a Manhattan ghost story family legend into a publishable manuscript.The reality of the publishing journey, including the persistence required through finding the right agent and working with major publishers like Simon and Schuster.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal.Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/.TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 A story inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 party at John McDermott's great aunt's Manhattan house 02:30 Discussion of McDermott's family roots from Wisconsin to Texas and his role at Stephen F Austin State University's creative writing program04:48 Exploring the marriage plot as an inciting incident and how poetic license shapes historical fiction writing 06:03 Navigating permissions and copyright issues when featuring deceased celebrities like Henry Fonda and Charles Addams in fiction09:45 The addition of supernatural fiction elements, including family ghost stories and getting this novel published 15:32 An excerpt from The Last Spirits of Manhattan prologue introducing the blue girl ghost who hangs out in the coal roomKEY TAKEAWAYS: Historical fiction success requires extensive literary research to capture authentic voices and settings, but the magic happens when authors blend documented facts with imaginative storytelling through careful poetic license.The publishing journey for a debut novel often spans decades with multiple manuscript attempts. McDermott's 20-year persistence and four complete manuscripts before finding success with Simon and Schuster demonstrate that timing, craft improvement, and presenting the right idea to the right people all matter.Creative writing drawn from family history creates deeply personal and compelling narratives. By weaving real family members who died from the Spanish influenza into his Manhattan ghost stories, McDermott transforms historical research into emotionally resonant supernatural fiction.ABOUT THE GUEST: John A. McDermott was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He now serves on the board of directors for the Writers’ League of Texas and teaches creative writing at Stephen F. Austin State University. Before teaching, he worked as an actor, bartender, house painter, and advertising copywriter. He lives in Nacogdoches with his wife and teenage daughter.RESOURCES MENTIONED: John A McDermott - WebsiteJohn A McDermott - LinkedInJohn A McDermott - FacebookThe Last Spirits of Manhattan - InstagramBook Shop - WebsiteAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 9 - Get Up and Get it
Mar 1700:15:11Summary readyWhat does it look like when a woman refuses to be put in a box? On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora sits down with the fearless Keldamuzik Diva, a singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer whose life is the ultimate blueprint for women's empowerment. Keldamuzik shares how she went from childhood auditions to starring in films, performing in live theater, launching her beret collection Tamz, and hosting her own fashion shows, all while building a fiercely independent brand. Her story is proof that creative entrepreneurship has no ceiling. Tune in to hear Keldamuzik Diva deliver a powerful verse from her song "Get Up and Get It," a bold declaration of independence and self-sufficiency for women everywhere. Listen here to stream her musicWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why women's empowerment and financial independence go hand in hand, and how Keldamuzik Diva's music speaks directly to women who are building lives on their own terms as independent artists and entrepreneurs.How a multifaceted artist can successfully manage a music career, an acting career, and a fashion line simultaneously without sacrificing quality or passion, even when industry insiders say otherwise.What it truly takes to succeed in the entertainment industry as a creative entrepreneur, from navigating auditions and live theater to launching a product line and hosting your own fashion shows.How personal branding in the entertainment industry requires more than one skill set, and why having your hands in multiple areas of performing arts can actually strengthen rather than dilute your brand.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Keldamuzik on why the entertainment industry demands a strong personal brand and multifaceted creative approach01:56 Keldamuzik explains how she ignored industry advice to specialize and instead pursued creative entrepreneurship across multiple fields04:34 Kelda discusses how acting came first, from childhood auditions to co-starring in the live stage play How Black Mothers Say I Love You06:32 Living in California and having a song on The Housewives of Atlanta08:05 Keldamuzik describes her beret collection, Tams, her inclusive fashion shows, and her upcoming glitter lipstick line10:12 Keldamuzik shares the women empowerment message behind her song "Get Up and Get It" and performs a verse liveKEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 The entertainment industry is crowded, and the most resilient creatives are those who build a distinct personal brand by developing skills across multiple disciplines rather than limiting themselves to one lane.💎 True women's empowerment is not just a message in a song. For Keldamuzik Diva, it is a lived practice: she earns her own income, produces her own shows, creates her own fashion line, and answers to no one but herself.💎 Launching a beret collection and hosting inclusive fashion shows that welcome customers of all heights, weights, and backgrounds is Keldamuzik's way of dismantling traditional gatekeeping in the fashion world and making space for every woman to shine.ABOUT THE GUEST: Keldamuzik is a multifaceted artist known for her international touring, music placements on The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and an acting role in the film "First Date," available for streaming on Hulu. In addition to her accomplishments in the entertainment industry, she has launched her own beret line, Tamz, and is involved in producing fashion shows.Keldamuzik - WebsiteGet Up and Get ItKeldamuzik - Apple Musichttps://weartamz.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 8 - Freefall: A Divine Comedy
Feb 2400:22:07Summary readyMemoir writing blurs the line between truth and imagination in this revealing conversation with Lily MacKenzie. We explore how creative writing techniques shape both fiction narrative and personal stories, as Lily explains her unique approach: "you lie in the service of the truth." The prolific author, with works published in over 170 venues, teaches writing dialogue, narrative structure, and storytelling techniques at the University of San Francisco's Fromm Institute for older adults. Discover why age matters, and doesn't matter, in the writing community, and what connects memoir to traditional storytelling. Hear an excerpt from Freefall: A Divine Comedy where Tilly, an installation artist approaching 60, confronts her anxieties about aging and finances in San Francisco.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How memoir writing employs storytelling techniques identical to fiction, including writing dialogue that reconstructs past conversations through imagination in writing and memory recreation.Why traditional narrative structure rules can be broken in favor of fragmented, non-chronological approaches that create compelling conversations between different life stages.The distinction, or lack thereof, between memoir writing and historical fiction, and how both genres recreate time periods through similar creative writing processes.How the writing community serves older adults by providing audience, connection, and purpose while preserving family legacies through literary arts.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Memoir writing and the concept of lying in the service of truth with creative writing techniques03:30 Does age affect readership and character development in novels featuring women over 6005:51 Why writing community and memoir writing appeal to older demographics seeking legacy preservation07:07 Exploring narrative structure and making a comparison to historical fiction10:58 Inspiration behind the Freefall: A Divine Comedy novel about four women writers reuniting in Whistler and Venice15:09 Reading excerpt from Freefall: A Divine Comedy featuring installation artist Tilly confronting aging and financial anxietyKEY TAKEAWAYS: Memoir writing succeeds by "lying in the service of truth," using creative writing techniques like scene construction, imagery, and writing dialogue to recreate authentic experiences from imperfect memory recreation.Narrative structure doesn't require chronological order or traditional story arcs; fragmented approaches can create powerful juxtapositions between life stages, allowing pieces to "talk to each other or clash."Writing community for older adults serves multiple purposes beyond skill development, creating audiences for each other's stories and fostering connections through shared memoir writing experiences.ABOUT THE GUEST: Lily Iona MacKenzie has published poetry, essays, and short stories in over 170 venues. She’s also published four novels: Fling!, Curva Peligrosa, Free Fall: A Divine Comedy, and The Ripening: A Canadian Girl Grows Up, a sequel to Free Fall and two poetry collections: All This and California Dreaming. Shanti Arts Publishing released her hybrid memoir Dreaming Myself into Old Age: One Woman’s Search for Meaning on 9/19/23. She blogs at http://lilyionamackenzie.com and teaches creative writing at the University of San Francisco's Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lily MacKenzie - WebsiteLily MacKenzie - LinkedInLily MacKenzie - FacebookLily MacKenzie - Business FacebookLily MacKenzie - TwitterLily MacKenzie - InstagramFree Fall - A Divine Comedy - Website Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 7 - Jurassic Girl
Feb 1000:18:49Summary readyMiddle-grade historical fiction meets women in science in this inspiring episode! In this episode we welcome Michele Hollow, author of the novel Jurassic Girl, a biographical fiction about Mary Anning, the remarkable 12-year-old fossil hunter who discovered an ichthyosaur in 1811. Despite being poor, female, and self-educated, Mary triumphed over the dismissive men of the Geological Society. Michele shares her journey from animal writing and wildlife conservation journalism to crafting this middle-grade biography, discussing her research at the Lyme Regis museum and the challenges of writing historical research with authentic dialogue. Tune in to hear an excerpt from Jurassic Girl where young Mary visits Elizabeth Philpot's library for the first time.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Michele Hollow discovered the story of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who made groundbreaking discoveries in paleontology despite facing gender and class barriers in 1811The process of transforming journalism skills into middle-grade historical fiction writing, including researching Lyme Regis and the Geological Society archives to create authentic biographical fictionWhy Mary Anning was dismissed by male scientists of her time and how she persisted in her fossil hunting work along the dangerous cliffs of England's Jurassic CoastMichele's background in animal writing and wildlife conservation, from childhood classes at the Bronx Zoo to writing a middle-grade biography about the Grateful DeadSubscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Michele Hollow shares her work: animal writing, wildlife conservation, and middle-grade historical fiction02:19 - Michele's childhood passion for animals, from the Bronx Zoo zoology classes to volunteering at Central Park Zoo and learning about wildlife05:03 Michele discusses her experiences writing about the Grateful Dead07:42 - Discovering Mary Anning, the 12-year-old fossil hunter who found an ichthyosaur in Lyme Regis in 1811, despite being dismissed by the Geological Society10:12 - Research process for Jurassic Girl, including connecting with the Lyme Regis museum and studying Mary Anning's life through biographical fiction sources14:32 - Excerpt from Jurassic Girl where Mary Anning visits Elizabeth Philpot's library and discusses fossil hunting and paleontology discoveriesKEY TAKEAWAYS: Mary Anning overcame extraordinary obstacles as a poor, self-educated 12-year-old girl in 1811 to make groundbreaking fossil hunting discoveries that changed our understanding of prehistoric life, yet faced dismissal from the male-dominated Geological SocietyMichele Hollow demonstrates how journalism skills translate powerfully to middle-grade historical fiction, using research abilities to uncover details about Lyme Regis, museum archives, and Mary Anning's life while creating authentic dialogue for biographical fictionJurassic Girl brings women in science history to young readers, showing how Mary Anning's persistence and passion for paleontology paved the way for future scientists despite the gender barriers of her timeABOUT THE GUEST: Michele C. Hollow writes about health, pets and wildlife, climate, and lifestyle. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Next Avenue, The Guardian, Parents, AARP, and The Costco Connection. She's the author of The Everything Guide to Working with Animals (Adams Media) and a middle-grade biography of the Grateful Dead (Enslow Publishing).RESOURCES MENTIONED: Michele C. Hollow - LinkedInMichele C. Hollow - FacebookMichele C. Hollow - WebsiteJurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning, Paleontologist and the First Female Fossil Hunter (Dinosaur books for kids 8–12): Hollow, Michele C.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 6 - Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage
Jan 2700:14:04Summary readyWhat is a cozy mystery? Author Lori Pollard-Johnson joins host Reenita Hora to discuss her mystery book, Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage. This episode explores the cozy mystery genre and Lori discusses fiction writing, creative writing processes, and how contemporary mystery fiction blends genres. Her protagonists are divorced best friends running a house flipping business, discovering mystery and mayhem in unexpected places. Learn about cozy mystery authors, mystery novel writing, and the importance of sisterhood in mystery genre storytelling. Then, listen to the fiction read to hear how the protagonist discovers a waterlogged corpse hidden inside a closet aquarium while renovating a 1920s craftsman cottage.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Discover what defines a cozy mystery and how violence stays off the page while maintaining compelling mystery elements and engaging dead body scenarios in cozy crime fiction.Learn the importance of crafting strong female friendships in women's fiction, including how divorced protagonists support each other through house flipping adventures and mystery solving.Gain insights into the mystery novel writing process, from finding inspiration in real-world food critics and chefs to developing small-town mystery settings that keep readers engaged without graphic cozy mystery violence.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The cozy mystery genre, violence occurs off the page in cozy crime fiction02:15 Lori's fiction writing journey from periodicals to mystery books, including culinary mystery and women's fiction projects03:28 Defining a cozy mystery and a culinary mystery inspired by working with chefs 06:32 The importance of female friendship and sisterhood themes in contemporary mystery fiction and cozy mystery storytelling10:52 Reading from Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage featuring a shocking dead body discovery in a house flipping projectKEY TAKEAWAYS: Cozy mystery novels keep violence off the page, allowing readers to enjoy mystery solving without graphic content—the dead body exists. Still, readers don't witness the killing, making cozy crime fiction accessible and entertaining.Culinary mystery books blend food industry knowledge with mystery writing, creating authentic chef characters and restaurant settings that add flavor to contemporary mystery fiction while exploring themes beyond traditional small town mysteries.Strong female friendships elevate women's fiction within the cozy mystery genre—protagonists who support each other through divorce, house flipping businesses, and mystery adventures create compelling, relatable narratives for cozy mystery authors to explore.ABOUT THE GUEST: Lori Pollard-Johnson writes from Washington and Arizona with two 2024 releases: Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage, featuring BFF amateur sleuths, and Toxic Torte, a culinary cozy about a critic's demise. She has 100+ publishing credits and holds an MA in writing from Seton Hill University. A former teacher and college professor, she's been a PNWA Literary Contest finalist and won awards for short fiction and poetry. When not writing, she enjoys her grandbabies, yoga, swimming, hiking, renovating fixer-uppers, and watching javelinas in her backyard.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lori Pollard-Johnson - FacebookLori Pollard-Johnson - Business FacebookLori Pollard-Johnson - TwitterLori Pollard-Johnson -Instagram Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage (A Flippin' Good Mystery Book 1) - AmazonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 5 - Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World
Jan 1300:17:04Summary readyHi everyone! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of songwriting, screenwriting, and fiction writing with author Eva Moon. We explore her journey from musician to playwright to novelist, discovering how storytelling evolves across musical theater, one-woman shows, and her debut novel, Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World. Eva shares how her genetic mutation diagnosis transformed her creative writing process, leading to the comedy show Mutant Diaries and ultimately inspiring her fantasy fiction novel about Pinocchio at midlife, grappling with body image and self-discovery. Tune in to hear an excerpt from the book as Pinocchio reflects on his transformation and feeling like an imposter in his human body.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How storytelling naturally evolves across different creative mediums—from songwriting to screenwriting to fiction writing—and how to let your story dictate its own formatThe power of using fantasy fiction and character development to process personal trauma, as Eva transformed her genetic mutation experience into compelling creative writingHow Pinocchio becomes a metaphor for body image, imposter syndrome, and self-discovery when dealing with physical transformation and identityWhy authentic storytelling that explores internal versus external identity resonates with audiences dealing with their own transformative experiencesSubscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Eva Moon's multi-format creative writing career as songwriter, playwright, screenwriter, and novelist03:20 How songwriting evolved into musical theater through patter and storytelling between songs at performance venues05:00 Eva's genetic mutation diagnosis and creating Mutant Diaries, a woman's show, as creative writing therapy08:00 Origin story of Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World, exploring body image, transformation, and self-discovery11:25 Eva reads an excerpt from Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World, featuring Pinocchio at midlife reflecting on his transformationKEY TAKEAWAYS: Let your creative writing take multiple forms throughout your career: Eva's evolution from musician to songwriter to playwright to novelist shows that storytelling mastery isn't about choosing one lane—it's about following where each story needs to goTransform lived experience into universal themes through character development: Rather than writing another autobiographical piece after Mutant Diaries, Eva used Pinocchio to explore body image and identity crisis in ways that resonated beyond her personal genetic mutation storyThe entertainment industry offers multiple entry points for independent creators: Eva's path included performing at clubs, attending screenwriting school, touring her musical theater show internationally, and self-distributing content—proving there's no single formula for author successABOUT THE GUEST: Eva Moon is an author, songwriter, playwright, screenwriter, performer, and former Huffington Post blogger. Her plays and musicals have been staged across the US and UK, and her solo musical, “The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes,” is streaming on Amazon. “Pinocchio’s Guide to the End of the World” is her first novel.RESOURCES MENTIONED: Eva Moon - WebsiteEva Moon - Author | LinkedInEva Moon (@evamooon) • Facebook, Connect with friendsEva Moon, Writer (@evamoonwriter) • FacebookEva Moon, storyteller, author (@evamoon) / Posts / XEva Moon - InstagramAmazon.com: Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World eBookAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 4 - Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford
Dec 3000:23:37Summary readyHistorical true crime, genealogical mysteries, and unsolved deaths await in this gripping episode of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the mysterious world of true crime with author Michelle Graff and her book Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford. We'll explore genealogical research, unsolved mysteries from 1899, and the dark reality of human trafficking and unwed mothers. Michelle uncovers parallels between her great-grandmother and 15-year-old Sarah Mumford through newspaper archives and primary source research. This blend of narrative nonfiction and historical fiction reveals the secrets of a Victorian-era death investigation. Then, hear an excerpt from the book as we witness Amelia giving birth to her daughter and, despite the shame of being unwed, courageously insisting that the baby's father be recorded in the doctor's records. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How genealogical research and newspaper archives can uncover historical true crime cases from the 1800sHow orphanage records reveal the dark history of human trafficking and exploitation of children in the Victorian eraThe investigative techniques used in death investigations and forensic investigations during the 19th-century crime eraHow narrative nonfiction and historical fiction blend to tell the stories of unwed mothers and hidden truths in family historySubscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Michelle Graff explains how genealogical research on her great-grandmother led to discovering the 1899 historical true crime case of Sarah Mumford’s unsolved mystery 04:54 The death investigation reveals Sarah was dead before the train hit her, and the coroner uncovers that she was treated as an indentured servant07:56 Michelle discusses using newspaper archives, primary source research, and orphanage records to piece together the narrative nonfiction story in Hidden13:33 The themes of human trafficking, unwed mothers, hidden truths, and how children were exploited in the Victorian era17:33 Michelle Graff reads an excerpt from Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah MumfordKEY TAKEAWAYS: Sarah Mumford's death investigation in 1899 revealed she was dead before being placed on train tracks, transforming the case from suicide to a covered-up murder involving child welfare exploitationMichelle Graff combined genealogical research techniques with historical true crime investigation, using newspaper archives and orphanage records to uncover the parallel stories of Sarah and her great-grandmother AmeliaThe book exposes how children from orphanages were exploited as indentured servants for profit, drawing connections to modern-day human trafficking issuesABOUT THE GUESTS: Michelle is drawn to mystery and true crime novels. Like so many true crime lovers, she longed to solve a real-life mystery. Fellow fans of history, genealogy, research, puzzles, true crime, mystery, social justice, and child advocacy can contact her at resiliencyonline.com.Cultivating Human Resiliency - WebsiteMichelle Graff - LinkedInHidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford - AmazonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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S7 Ep 3 - The Practical Marketer
Dec 1500:38:39Summary readyWelcome to the True Fiction Project, your go-to podcast for exploring the journey of stories from their non-fiction roots to their fictional outcomes! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, and today we're doing something different and special. We have marketing strategy expert Saurabh Bajaj, Executive Vice President at Vodafone Idea and author of the fascinating book The Practical Marketer. We explore practical marketing strategies, brand positioning, consumer insights, and social media marketing. Saurabh reveals how category growth, market share, personal branding, and domain authority shape successful marketing campaigns and how those concepts can be applied to fiction writers and artists. He shares his digital marketing journey and the power of brand strategy. Tune in to hear his Cadbury Celebrations story—how a profound consumer insight about the Diwali holiday, "Iss Diwali Aap Kise Khush Karengay" (This Diwali, Who Will You Make Happy), inspired the iconic, successful campaign.What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The fundamental brand strategy decision: pursue category growth or steal market share—this choice determines your entire marketing campaign approach.✅ Build personal branding and domain authority through social media marketing with vulnerable, authentic content that resonates with audiences.✅ How consumer insights and digital marketing evolved—why establishing context and authority matters more than keywords in modern practical marketing strategies.✅ The story behind Cadbury's iconic Diwali campaign and how understanding genuine human connection created a timeless brand positioning success.Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymalCheck out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Saurabh Bajaj, author of The Practical Marketer and how the pandemic sparked his writing journey 03:56 The fundamental brand strategy question: grow the category growth or steal market share08:03 Understanding your brand positioning task before executing any marketing campaigns13:33 Storytelling techniques for authors and how practical marketing strategies apply to creative professionals17:48 The evolution of social media marketing and building domain authority through authentic content26:11 Creating vulnerable, authentic content that builds personal branding and consumer insights32:00 Saurabh tells us an anecdote about the Cadbury Celebrations Diwali campaign story he spearheaded: discovering the power of genuine consumer connectionKEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Understanding whether your goal is category growth or stealing market share is the most fundamental brand strategy decision that shapes all marketing campaigns and determines success.💎 Building domain authority through social media marketing requires authentic content creation and vulnerability—the posts that make you uncomfortable often perform best and create a genuine consumer connection.💎 Great consumer insights come from profound observation—Saurabh's Cadbury Celebrations campaign succeeded by discovering that Diwali represents a genuine human connection rather than transactions, a timeless insight still relevant today.ABOUT THE GUEST: Saurabh Bajaj has served as the Executive Vice President and Prepaid Marketing Head at Vodafone Idea since August 2022. An alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering and IIM Indore (2004), he brings over 21 years of sales and marketing expertise.His career spans a decade at Mondelez, Innovation Head for Premium & Luxury Spirits at Diageo, and over 5 years as Head of Marketing for Dairy & International Business at Britannia before joining Vodafone Idea. He was recognized among the 50 Best Marketing & Communication Professionals by White Page International (2020) and as a DMA Trailblazer Rising Star CMO (2021).The Practical MarketerSaurabh Bajaj - LinkedInThe Practical Marketer - InstagramAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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