Fractured Ink: Writing In Life's Chaos (audio)

Diana Dirkby
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This Podcast will focus on fiction writing that deals with families undergoing the chaos of severe challenges. We'll start by introducing my two published novels, "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia" (https://amazon.com/dp/191685219X) and "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies"(https://amazon.com/dp/B0DPXW76DV/), with some information about myself. For example, "The Overlife" is inspired by my personal experience with my paranoid schizophrenia and my mother's. "Three Siblings" deals with sibling abuse and is inspired by my complex PTSD. I also live with absence epilepsy. My mind is "Fractured" by these conditions, affecting the "Ink" I choose to leave on my writing pages. We will also discuss these conditions for their own sake. We will feature other authors dealing with families facing the chaos of a severe challenge.Despite the serious nature of this description, we will have some fun! Humor has always been a big part of my life and is sometimes the best therapy.Don't forget to follow this Podcast, subscribe to my channel, like my videos, and comment. My website: https://dianadirkbywrites.com/My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/)My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor)My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby)My YouTube channel @Diana DirkbyWrites

  1. From Family Secrets to Fiction: Ancestors and Ink

    JAN 31

    From Family Secrets to Fiction: Ancestors and Ink

    Send us a text Amazon Affiliate links to some products mentioned during the episode. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My books: The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia: https://amzn.to/4k6NlZE Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies: https://amzn.to/4roE3uE Kindle Scribe: https://amzn.to/4roEc1a Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: https://amzn.to/49PY0oh Kindle Fire Max 11: https://amzn.to/4rqxuaZ #fiction #writing #genealogy #familydrama #familyrelationships #fostercare #fostercareaustralia #familyhistory #familyhistoryresearch  What if the story you were told about your family isn’t the whole story—and the missing pieces are the key to a great novel? We open the door to turning family history into fiction by drawing on Diana Dirkby's (pen name Paula Tretkoff) work-in-progress about her maternal grandfather, a foster child in early-1900s Australia. From the first spark to shaping a satisfying arc, we map a path that blends rigorous research with creative freedom, so your pages feel both authentic and alive. We walk through a practical, repeatable process: interview relatives with open questions, gather documents and photos, and dig into archives, newspapers, and genealogy databases to find the context that explains choices and exposes contradictions. You’ll hear how one unexpected discovery—a sibling who died in infancy and was never discussed—can transform theme, stakes, and character motivation. We talk tools, too: keeping a research journal, organizing sources in Scrivener, and using e-readers and notebooks to capture insights as they come. Fiction, not memoir, becomes the container that protects privacy while honoring emotional truth. We explore composites, slight timeline shifts, and subplots grounded in verified details—clothing, slang, social norms, and policy history—to keep readers’ trust. Then we get tactical: hook your narrative with a family mystery, let research-driven reveals propel the middle, and land with a resolution that respects the record and still delivers an emotional payoff. Along the way, we address the emotional weight of rewriting family lore, offer ways to navigate sensitive revelations, and share how this work can deepen your connection to ancestors. If you’re sitting on a box of letters or a half-told story that won’t leave you alone, this conversation will help you start small and build momentum. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves genealogy, and tell us: what surprising fact from your family tree should be a scene in a novel? My Website and Social Media: https://dianadirkbywrites.com  My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/) My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor) My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby) My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

    15 min
  2. Blizzard Pages: Thriving as a Writer When You're Snowed In and Writing from Home

    JAN 24

    Blizzard Pages: Thriving as a Writer When You're Snowed In and Writing from Home

    Send us a text Kindle devices have great battery life, and if you keep them charged up while the power is on, they will function for hours if the power is knocked out. #kindledevices #kindlecolorsoft #kindlescribe #kindlefire #writing #writingtips #winter #blizzards #writingadvice  The world outside is a swirl of white noise and drifting snow, but your pages don’t have to freeze. We lean into the weather and show how a blizzard can sharpen focus, deepen mood, and unlock creative momentum—whether the lights stay on or flicker out. Think storm-as-soundtrack, candlelit longhand, and structure you can see across your desk in sticky notes and scribbles. First, we tap the storm for language and emotion: quick free writes, sensory detail, and scene ideas that capture the hush, the rattle, and the anxious calm. With power on, we pivot to high-impact progress—line edits that need silence, outline passes that tighten pacing, and worldbuilding sprints that make your next chapters inevitable. We set sane bounds for research so curiosity fuels the work instead of siphoning the day, and we pull in side projects for low-pressure wins that keep confidence high. When the grid goes dark, the writing continues. Longhand drafting slows your mind in the right way, voice memos catch dialogue while you walk the room, and paper mind maps reveal structure at a glance. We talk reading as fuel—craft classics, beloved novels, and anything that echoes the storm’s atmosphere—plus a reminder that e-readers outlast laptops, so charge before the flakes stack up. Warmth, comfort, and movement anchor the routine: tea, layers, a small writing nest, stretches or a careful shovel session to shake off cabin fever, and a creative palate cleanser like baking or sketching to reset your brain. Safety stays first. We keep batteries topped up, flashlights handy, and neighbors in mind. Along the way, we trade simple accountability practices and invite you to share what you’re drafting while the wind hums at the window. Subscribe if you want more grounded, real-world tactics for writing through chaos, and tell us: what are you working on during this storm? Leave a comment, share with a friend who’s snowed in, and drop your progress on Twitter at @DianaDirkby. My published books “The Overlife: A Tale Of Schizophrenia,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6.) #ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) “Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/42Z81KY. )#ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Website and Social Media: https://dianadirkbywrites.com  My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/) My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor) My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby) My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

    9 min
  3. New Year, New Newsletter

    JAN 14

    New Year, New Newsletter

    Send us a text To get the newsletter, go to my website https://dianadirkbywrites.com scroll to the bottom of the page, enter your email, and hit subscribe. The newsletter is bi-weekly and will cover many topics inspired by my writing, and tell you more about me. It is free! #newsletter #news #letter #fictionwriting #schizophrenia #siblingrelationships #family #mathematics

    3 min
  4. Kindle Accessory Deals Now

    JAN 3

    Kindle Accessory Deals Now

    Send us a text My Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Here are some examples of great deals for Kindle device accessories: 1) Case for Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: visit https://amzn.to/45n6WPe 2) Amazon Kindle Scribe Cover: visit https://amzn.to/4bhabvj 3) Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen: visit https://amzn.to/4pqdPq1 4) Amazon 9W Amazon Official Power Adaptor for Kindle Devices: visit https://amzn.to/3Z0opJz Amazon.com is currently offering lots of sales. I want to draw attention to the -20% (or more!) discounts on a wide range of Kindle device accessories. I gave four examples above, along with my affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Here are the corresponding discounts as I write this description: 1) Case for Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: -20% at $34.39 (lowest price in 90 days) 2) Amazon Kindle Scribe Cover: -30% at $55.99 3) Amazon Kindle Scribe Premium Pen: -20% at $63.55 (lowest price ever) 4) Amazon 9W Amazon Official Power Adaptor for Kindle Devices: -20% at $15.99 (deal selling fast) #Kindledeals #Amazondeals #KindleAccessorydeals #KindleAccessories #KindleDevice #KindleDeviceAccessorySale #KindleDeviceAccessoryDeals

    7 min
  5. How A Grandfather I Never Knew Sparked A New Novel

    12/28/2025

    How A Grandfather I Never Knew Sparked A New Novel

    Send us a text My two novels: The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia visit  https://amzn.to/4pdZBbW andThree Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies visit https://amzn.to/49cMa5QResearch book: The Slow Evolution of Foster Care in Australia: Just like a family? (Palgrave Studies in the History of Childhood) by Nell Musgrove and Deidre Michell, visit https://amzn.to/48Yp5Fs The above three links are my Amazon Affiliate Links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.#Fictionwriting #Familyrelationships #FosterCare #FosterCareAustralia #FictionNovel #NewNovel #Fosterfamilies A vanished mother, a departing father, and three children waiting in an empty house set the spark for my next novel. I’m starting the year by opening the door to book three, a story shaped by my maternal grandfather’s oral history and the fault lines it carved through generations. I share why I’m choosing fiction over memoir, how family accounts from my mother and her sisters guide the narrative, and what it means to honor facts while building scenes that carry emotional truth. We journey to Ballarat at the turn of the 20th century—Jewish families adapting after the gold rush, a synagogue that still stands, and a boy named David whose childhood shatters when both parents vanish days apart. I break down the family fracture, the mayor’s intervention, and the uneven outcomes of foster placements that left one child abused, another bounced between homes, and a sister sheltered by luck. The heart of this episode explores resilience and anger living side by side: how a man can build a loving family and a successful business while never letting go of the fury he felt toward the adults who abandoned and mistreated him. To ground the story, I pull back the curtain on my research into historical foster care in Australia, including insights from The Slow Evolution of Foster Care in Australia: Just Like a Family by Nell Musgrove and Deidre Mitchell. You’ll hear how period policy, placement practices, and social pressures help me avoid anachronism and sentimentality. We talk ethics, composite characters, and the craft choices that keep a narrative honest when memory is secondhand. If you’re drawn to historical fiction, family history, Jewish diaspora stories, or the craft of turning oral history into a novel, you’ll find a clear roadmap of where this project is heading. Join me as I build a story about fracture, belonging, and the quiet endurance that outlasts harm. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves literary historical fiction, and leave a review telling me what questions you want the book to tackle next. My Website and Social Media: https://dianadirkbywrites.com  My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/) My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor) My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby) My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

    7 min
  6. Two Podcasts, Clear Paths;

    12/19/2025

    Two Podcasts, Clear Paths;

    Send us a text The Playlist "Fractured Ink: Writing in Life's Chaos (audio)" is available on many platforms, including my YouTube channel. I use BuzzSprout to process the audio files. The BuzzSprout website for the audio Podcast is: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2467673  The Playlist "Fractured Ink: Writing in Life's Chaos (video)" is only available as a Playlist on my YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/m47nx39b The Playlist "My Amazon Affiliate Links - Products for writing from home" is only available as a Playlist on my YouTube channel: https://tinyurl.com/ycv2j9kj (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) My discontinued Podcast "Schizophrenia as I Live It" is still available. Its website on BuzzSprout is https://www.buzzsprout.com/2186769 #Podcast #Fiction #fictionwriting #memoirs #schizophrenia #Horrorthriller #Amazon #Amazondeals #Kindle #KindleDevices #WritingProducts #writing #mentalhealth  Two tracks, one creative mission: we’re drawing a clean line between story craft and gear talk so you get exactly what you came for. After experimenting with mixed episodes, we’re shifting to a clear structure that respects your time, your focus, and the way you like to learn. Fractured Ink: Writing in Life’s Chaos now zeroes in on writing craft you can use today—fiction techniques, memoir insights, and lessons learned from the messy middle of real projects. We record in Zoom to deliver both audio and video, but every segment is designed to work if you’re listening on a run or watching at your desk. Expect practical strategies for scenes that move, point of view that clicks, revision methods that calm the chaos, and candid reflections from our own pages and from writers we admire. Our affiliate reviews move to a dedicated, video-only YouTube playlist because tools deserve visuals. When we compare microphones, lighting, or keyboards, you’ll see the setup, hear real tests, and get frank takes on what’s worth buying. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, and we’ll keep opinions clear and grounded in daily writing use. That separation means you can binge deep craft without stopping for unboxings—or jump straight to gear when you’re upgrading your workspace. You’ll find Fractured Ink as an audio podcast distributed via Buzzsprout across major platforms and as a video version on YouTube. The product review series lives separately on YouTube, organized for easy browsing. We’ll still mention relevant tools on the craft feed when they support a technique, and we’ll keep links transparent and useful. Subscribe, share with a writer friend, and tell us what you want next—what craft problem should we tackle, or what tool should we test? My published books “The Overlife: A Tale Of Schizophrenia,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6.) #ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) “Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/42Z81KY. ) The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Website and Social Media: https://dianadirkbywrites.com  My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/) My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor) My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby) My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (

    7 min
  7. Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: A unique and stunning experience.

    12/17/2025

    Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: A unique and stunning experience.

    Send us a text You can go ahead and follow my Amazon Affiliate links below to find the corresponding product on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 1) Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: https://amzn.to/4rZTaf9 2) Amazon's Kindle Color-Soft Signature Edition case: https://amzn.to/4s0F64Y 3) CoBak Case for 7" E-Readers: https://amzn.to/48DTGIa 4) Supershieldz (3 Pack) Anti-Glare (Matte) Screen Protector for Kindle Colorsoft: https://amzn.to/4oWzXIA 5) Amazon 9W Official OEM USB Charger and Power Adapter for Fire Tablets, Kindle eReaders, and Echo Dot: https://amzn.to/4qcayeW 6) Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition User Guide : Display, Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition User Guide : Display, Highlights and Notes, Troubleshooting, Accessibility and Battery Saving Tips for Beginners by Susan Powell:chttps://amzn.to/48Vv5x9https://amzn.to/48Vv5x9 #Kindle #KindleColorsoft #KindleColorsoftSignatureEdition #KindleScribe #KindleScribeColorsoft #Kindledevices #Kindleapp Color that calms instead of shouts. That’s the promise of the Kindle ColorSoft Signature Edition, and we put it to the test with real books, real accessories, and a few real surprises—like which titles quietly refuse to download and how to fix it without leaving the Kindle ecosystem. We start with the core of ColorSoft: a custom color e‑ink stack designed for soft, paper-like tones rather than neon saturation. After dialing in brightness, the display makes covers, comics, maps, and charts feel clearer while staying gentle on the eyes. I unpack where color adds value—highlights in multiple hues, cleaner visual structure in non‑fiction—and where a monochrome Kindle used to fall short. Then we get practical about the two models. The Signature Edition’s double storage, wireless charging, and auto-adjusting front light aren’t flashy features; they’re the quiet upgrades that make daily reading smoother, especially for large libraries and Audible downloads. There’s also a frank look at compatibility. Some fixed-layout and enhanced editions won’t install on ColorSoft or Scribe, a quirk that catches many buyers off guard. I show the simple workaround: keep the Kindle app on a Fire tablet or your phone so those edge‑case titles still live in your library. From there we dive into the reading experience: organizing with collections, tweaking themes and fonts, typing notes from highlights, and flipping seamlessly between reading and listening with Bluetooth headphones. Accessories get their due—covers, screen protectors, and travel cases—so you can protect the display without dulling color or adding glare. If you create with pen, I explain why Scribe still pairs beautifully with ColorSoft—one for handwriting and document review, the other for comfortable, color-rich reading. If you’re deciding whether to upgrade, you’ll get clear criteria to choose between the standard model and the Signature Edition, plus when a sale on non‑color Scribe might be the smarter buy. Enjoy a grounded tour of what color e‑ink does well, where it still has limits, and how to get the most from the Kindle ecosystem without overpaying. If this helped, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—what would make color e‑ink a must‑have for you? My published books “The Overlife: A Tale Of Schizophrenia,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6.) #ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) “Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Th

    27 min
  8. Kindle Fire Max 11 Tablet: A Kindle With Apps

    12/11/2025

    Kindle Fire Max 11 Tablet: A Kindle With Apps

    Send us a text Amazon Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Kindle Fire Max 11: https://amzn.to/48SqFaF Made for Amazon Stylus: https://amzn.to/44nfOnH Amazon Fire 11 Keyboard Case: https://amzn.to/4rWdTk8 KEFBWAO Kindle Fire Max 11 case (for tougher protection):  https://amzn.to/454Wxrd #Kindle #KindleDevices #KindleFire #KindleFireMax11 #Amazonstylus #AmazonKeyboardCase #Amazon #AmazonApps  A tablet that reads like a Kindle and works like your daily driver can actually exist—and the Kindle Fire Max 11 makes a strong case for it. We share why we upgraded from an older Fire, what changed our reading and note‑taking habits, and how a simple accessory bundle turns this device into a lightweight workstation you can carry anywhere. First, we break down the hardware and comfort: the 11‑inch display, the surprisingly light feel, and the magnetic stylus that snaps into place. The stylus has an eraser button that works with some apps. Then we get hands‑on with the keyboard case that needs no pairing and doubles as a stand, shifting the Fire Max 11 from a couch reader to a compact writing setup in seconds. From streaming video and browsing newspapers to checking email and Microsoft 365, the Amazon Appstore covers the essentials, and you can still sideload if you crave more. Reading remains the heart of the story. Inside the Kindle app, we demo highlights, sticky notes, and a clean annotation panel that keeps thoughts organized across chapters. Handwriting‑to‑text works well with the hex‑grip stylus, while on‑screen and physical keyboards make longer notes painless. We also explore Writing Assist—proofreading, rewrites, tone changes, and concise summaries—which helps shape book notes for study, sharing, or memory. If you live in PDFs and layered pen tools, a Kindle Scribe might still be your best friend; if you want one device for reading plus apps, the Fire Max 11 hits the sweet spot. Many readers will find that owning both devices covers every scenario without compromise. Ready to see whether the Fire Max 11 fits your workflow? Listen now, check the affiliate link in the notes, and if the guide helps, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find it. My published books “The Overlife: A Tale Of Schizophrenia,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/454WgW6.) #ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases) “Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” by Diana Dirkby (visit https://amzn.to/42Z81KY. )#ad #commissionsearned The link is an Amazon Affiliate Link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. My Website and Social Media: https://dianadirkbywrites.com  My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/) My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor) My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby) My YouTube channel @DianaDirkbyWrites (https://www.youtube.com/@DianaDirkbyWrites)

    20 min
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About

This Podcast will focus on fiction writing that deals with families undergoing the chaos of severe challenges. We'll start by introducing my two published novels, "The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia" (https://amazon.com/dp/191685219X) and "Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies"(https://amazon.com/dp/B0DPXW76DV/), with some information about myself. For example, "The Overlife" is inspired by my personal experience with my paranoid schizophrenia and my mother's. "Three Siblings" deals with sibling abuse and is inspired by my complex PTSD. I also live with absence epilepsy. My mind is "Fractured" by these conditions, affecting the "Ink" I choose to leave on my writing pages. We will also discuss these conditions for their own sake. We will feature other authors dealing with families facing the chaos of a severe challenge.Despite the serious nature of this description, we will have some fun! Humor has always been a big part of my life and is sometimes the best therapy.Don't forget to follow this Podcast, subscribe to my channel, like my videos, and comment. My website: https://dianadirkbywrites.com/My Instagram: @dianadirkby_writings (https://www.instagram.com/dianadirkby_writings/)My Facebook Page: Diana Dirkby Writings (https://www.facebook.com/DianaDirkbyAuthor)My X-account: @dianadirkby (https://x.com/DianaDirkby)My YouTube channel @Diana DirkbyWrites

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