True Fiction Project: S5 Ep 12 - "How We Healed"

Host: Reenita Hora
Guest: Melody Fowler
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Introduction

In Season 5, Episode 12 of True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora welcomes Melody Fowler, a versatile storyteller from Vancouver, Canada. Melody brings a rich background in government service, poetry, painting, and novel writing, offering a multifaceted perspective on the transformation of real-life experiences into compelling fiction.

Meet Melody Fowler

Reenita Hora [02:28]:
"Melody Fowler is from Vancouver, Canada, and she retired after decades of working for the government. And she writes stories, books, poetry."

Melody shares her journey as a writer who began with poetry at a young age but was encouraged to pursue a stable government career instead of journalism. Despite the demands of her professional life, she continuously nurtured her creative passions through various outlets, including editing an in-house government magazine.

Melody Fowler [02:53]:
"I got the good job and suffered for it for decades. But I'm happy to come out on the other side of it."

Creative Evolution: From Poetry to Painting

Melody discusses her dynamic creative process, highlighting how her primary artistic medium shifts based on her life circumstances and mood.

Melody Fowler [04:46]:
"It depends on where I'm at. It kind of moves around..."

After completing her novel "How We Healed," Melody felt the need to explore painting as a means of expressing her creativity, especially during the pandemic. Her spontaneous foray into painting quickly became a passionate pursuit, leading to a prolific period of artistic output.

Melody Fowler [05:15]:
"The lights, the shadows. And I never do anything small. I'm a compulsive person. So I was just churning out all kinds of paintings."
[05:16]

However, her creative output ebbs and flows with her personal life, as illustrated by her recent hiatus from painting.

Deep Dive into "How We Healed"

Reenita Hora [06:02]:
"How We Healed. So tell us a little bit about that. What is How We Healed about?"

How We Healed is a historical fiction novel inspired by Melody’s husband's grandmother, Lucinda. Initially intending to write a biography, Melody opted for fiction to creatively honor Lucinda’s life and lessons without the constraints of legalities associated with non-fiction.

Melody Fowler [06:16]:
"It's historical fiction. It's based on my husband's grandmother... I could take a lot of creative license and just have fun with it."
[06:16]

Her husband co-authors the book to ensure authenticity, particularly in capturing the local vernacular of Mississippi, where Lucinda resided.

Melody Fowler [07:59]:
"We have our own view of a situation... not holistic."
[12:06]

Exploring Genre and Structure

Reenita probes the choice of historical fiction over memoir or biography, discussing how the span of decades covered in the novel incorporates significant historical events that shaped Lucinda’s life and the broader world.

Melody Fowler [08:54]:
"It literally goes from when she's 16 in 1930 all the way until Obama is elected the first time... huge things that happened during her lifetime."
[08:54]

The narrative structure blends factual historical events with fictional storytelling, creating a seamless journey that mirrors both memoir and traditional fiction narrative arcs.

Melody Fowler [09:48]:
"Honestly, it's such a combination. Parts are true... the historical events."
[09:48]

Thematic Insights: Relationships and Perspective

Melody emphasizes the universal importance of relationships and the evolving perspectives that come with maturity.

Reenita Hora [11:23]:
"Why do you feel, as the storyteller, as the author, they are important to bring to the world?"

Melody Fowler [11:41]:
"Relationships that she formed... something that we can all relate to."
[11:41]

She explores how understanding others' viewpoints fosters empathy and a more holistic understanding of interpersonal dynamics.

Melody Fowler [12:34]:
"None of us are perfectly good or perfectly bad... If there's two sides, the truth is somewhere in the middle."
[12:34]

Exclusive Content for Subscribers

Before concluding the episode, Melody offers an exclusive reading from her book of poetry, Life Lyrics, available only to paid subscribers.

Melody Fowler [13:24]:
"I can read a piece from Life Lyrics that's my book of poetry."
[13:24]

Featured Fiction Reading: "Chapter 22: The Storm"

Melody presents a captivating excerpt from How We Healed, set during the Great Appalachian Storm of 1950. The passage delves into the protagonist Drunetta’s anxiety and resilience as she faces a powerful storm alone, reflecting broader themes of faith, fear, and survival.

Melody Fowler [15:29]:
"The wind was blowing hard enough to rattle the windows... I could not know, sitting alone as the lights made their final selection and left me in the darkness..."
[15:29]

The narrative vividly paints the claustrophobic tension and emotional turmoil of the moment, effectively transporting listeners to Drunetta's vantage point during the historic storm.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Reenita wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with their own stories and contribute to the True Fiction Project, emphasizing the transformative power of turning real experiences into fiction.

Reenita Hora [18:38]:
"If you have a great story or know somebody who does... get in touch with us@renita.com."
[18:38]

Listeners are also reminded to subscribe to the newsletter for more inspiring stories and to visit the project's website for additional resources.

Where to Find Melody Fowler’s Work

Melody’s novels and poetry are widely accessible through major retailers:

• Availability: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Draft2Digital (worldwide distribution)
• Website: MelodyFowler.com – Find links to all her works, including poetry and novels.

Key Takeaways

• Fusion of Non-Fiction and Fiction: True Fiction Project exemplifies the seamless transition from real-life interviews to richly crafted fictional narratives.

• Creative Resilience: Melody Fowler’s journey underscores the importance of nurturing creative passions alongside professional commitments.

• Universal Themes: The episode highlights how personal relationships and evolving perspectives are central to compelling storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Melody Fowler [02:53]:
  "I got the good job and suffered for it for decades. But I'm happy to come out on the other side of it."

• Melody Fowler [05:16]:
  "The lights, the shadows. And I never do anything small. I'm a compulsive person. So I was just churning out all kinds of paintings."

• Melody Fowler [09:48]:
  "Honestly, it's such a combination. Parts are true... the historical events."

• Melody Fowler [12:34]:
  "None of us are perfectly good or perfectly bad... If there's two sides, the truth is somewhere in the middle."

True Fiction Project continues to bridge the gap between reality and imagination, inviting listeners to explore the depths of human experience through the art of storytelling.