A Spot of Story

Danielle Grandinetti

0.0 (0)
Fiction
Updated Semiweekly

A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. danielleswritingspot.substack.com

1d ago

Episode 19 | Behind the Book: The Island Bakeshop with Roseanna M. White

Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea. On this episode, we are diving into a deep conversation with best-selling, Christy Award-winning author Roseanna M. White about her new dual-timeline novel, The Island Bakeshop. Roseanna returns readers to the coastal setting of Avon, North Carolina, building a beautiful story around second chances, family legacy, and unexpected protection. In this episode, we discuss: * The Reality of the Baker’s Life: Roseanna shares her on-location research with a baker from Hatteras Island, revealing the demanding midnight schedules behind running a seaside bakery. * The Hurricane: A look into the real-world history and historical accounts of a storm so powerful it physically altered the geography of the Outer Banks, opening new inlets and changing coastal shipping forever. * The Sailboat Scene: Roseanna opens up about her favorite chapter to write, where an innocent, sensory sailing lesson on the open water forces a reserved, retired Navy veteran to reveal a closely guarded secret. * A Message of Hope: Navigating the weight of genetic predispositions and family history, Roseanna shares an encouraging reminder that our personal weaknesses are never greater than God’s strength. Helpful Links & Resources * Read the Full Transcript: The complete, unedited interview transcript and expanded historical field notes are archived over on the Book Blog. Read it here: daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-19-behind-the-book-the-island-bakeshop-with-roseanna-m-white/ * Connect with the Author: Visit roseannamwhite.com to request signed copies of The Island Bakeshop direct from her storefront, or follow her updates on Instagram and Facebook. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a comment below, share it with a friend, or subscribe to ensure you never miss a new conversation! Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

14 min
May 16

Episode 18 | Echoes of History: Origins of the Great Depression

Set your dial to A Spot of Story, where books, history, and the writing life come alive over a steaming cup of tea. On this episode of Echoes of History, we step back into the 1930s to explore the true beginnings of the Great Depression. While history often focuses on the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, the reality was a multifaceted building of problems that started long before the bubble burst. In this episode, we discuss: * The Post-War Foundation: How the opulence of the 1920s was built on shaky ground following World War I. * The Climate Factor: The impact of Western expansion and farming practices that led to the erosion of the prairies and the onset of the Dust Bowl. * A Cultural Gender Clash: Why the return of soldiers from war created an employment crisis for the independent women who had filled their roles. * The Banking Spiral: Why the lack of insurance and the interdependence of banks and the stock market left everyday people with nothing. * Historical Inspiration: How the localized headlines of a Wisconsin shipwreck on Black Tuesday inspired the story behind my novel, Shipwreck Faith. Featured Resources: * Read the Transcript: Full Transcript & Show Notes * Featured Book: Shipwreck Faith — Discover the story of an Irish immigrant and a farmer’s daughter whose lives collide during the most infamous week of 1929. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

14 min
May 2

Episode 17 | Behind the Book: Megan Schaulis

In this episode, I’m joined by author Megan Schaulis to celebrate the release of Rebuilder, the emotional conclusion to her Susa Chronicles trilogy. We talk about the transition from the desert of Susa to the tropical—and sinking—territory of Evania, and how the character of Hatch finds his own path to restoration. * How Megan used the biblical book of Nehemiah as a blueprint for a dystopian setting. * The inspiration behind Evania, a tropical island populated by the Alphanites. * The journey of Hatch, a fan-favorite character seeking a fresh start after heartbreak. * The technical and spiritual parallels of rebuilding a community from the ground up. Visit the blog for the full transcript. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

23 min
Apr 18

Episode 16 | Echoes of History: The Setting Inspiration of Eyewitness Sketch

In this episode of Echoes of History, we are stepping back into the 1930s to explore the real-life inspirations behind the setting of my novel, Eyewitness Sketch. From the shipwreck-strewn waters of Port des Morts to the cultural heritage of Washington Island, we’ll look at how geography and local lore inform a fictional mystery. * Discover the history of “Death’s Door” and why it was a graveyard for Lake Michigan ships. * Learn about Ephraim, the last “dry” town in Wisconsin, and how it inspired the social dynamics of Heima Island. * Explore the Norwegian and Icelandic naming conventions used to bring the characters of the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency to life. * Get a glimpse into the real lighthouses that serve as models for the investigative backdrops in the series. Visit the blog for the full transcript and additional historical resources. The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

12 min
Apr 4

Episode 15 | Behind the Book: Misshelved Magic with S. R. Crickard

I had the most delightful time chatting with S. R. Crickard about her journey from writing short story “palate cleansers” to publishing her debut novel, Misshelved Magic. We explore how her curiosity about the short-lived Edwardian era shaped a world where magic and history collide in the stacks of a very special library. * The “Miyazaki” inspiration behind her protagonist, Adelina. * Fascinating (and funny) Edwardian research, from King Edward’s vest buttons to the “S-shaped” silhouette. * How an “intervention” from author friends turned a short story into a full-length novel. * The heart of the story: why choosing virtue matters even when it makes others uncomfortable. Visit the blog for the full transcript. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

17 min
Mar 21

Episode 14 | Echoes of History: The Origins of a Reverse Aladdin (Part 2)

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the historical roots of Undercover Wish. I’m sharing how I deconstructed the problematic stereotypes of the original 18th-century Aladdin tale—where the protagonist was often portrayed as lazy or opportunistic—to create Ali, a character driven by a fierce sense of justice despite being marginalized by the laws of her time. We explore the “Reverse Aladdin” dynamic, placing our “princess” in a Chicago shipping empire and transforming magic lamps into a search for truth and integrity. * Deconstructing the Original: Understanding the negative 18th-century stereotypes of the Chinese Aladdin and how I sought to redeem the narrative. * The Gilded Cage: Why a hero with wealth, race, and gender privilege can still feel more trapped than someone with nothing. * Two Genies, No Magic: How I adapted the “two genie” element of the original folklore into historical characters inspired by the work of Jane Addams. * The Birth of Di Stasio: How Ali’s journey for justice led to the creation of the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency. Read the full transcript on the blog here. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

8 min
Mar 7

Episode 13 | Behind the Book: Planning for Nickie with Tasha Hackett

In this Beyond the Book episode, I’m joined by Tasha Hackett to discuss her contemporary romance, Planning for Nickie. Tasha shares the hilarious and heartfelt origins of her hero Mark—a man so committed to efficiency he lives in a hotel and has his entire search for a wife mapped out on a spreadsheet. We discuss the shift from writing historical to contemporary fiction, the “need to know” research process, and the deeper themes of anxiety and control that surfaced as the story unfolded. Join us for a conversation about the beauty of shared human experiences and the reminder that we don’t have to navigate life alone. ✨ Read the transcript on my blog. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

28 min
Feb 21

Episode 12 | Echoes of History: The Origins of a Reverse Aladdin (Part 1)

In this Echoes of History episode, I uncover the real events and cultural threads that inspired my prequel novella, Undercover Wish. While many of us know the musical versions of Aladdin, the original public domain story—and the complicated history surrounding it—provided a unique backdrop for Ali Di Stasio’s origin story. Join me as we step back to 1892 Chicago, explore the height of stunt journalism, and look at the “underbelly” of the White City’s construction. This is part one of a two-part series on how fact, fiction, and a little bit of magic lamp inspiration built the Di Stasio Agency. ✨ Read the transcript and show notes here. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

8 min

A Spot of Story brings you books, history, and the writing life over a steaming cup of tea. Tune in on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays for author conversations and quick history dives. Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast. danielleswritingspot.substack.com

Creator

Danielle Grandinetti
Years Active

2K
Episodes

20
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Danielle Grandinetti
Show Website

A Spot of Story