True Fiction Project

Reenita Hora
  • 4.5 (6)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

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/

  1. 1d ago

    S8 Ep 3 - The Last Waltz

    In this episode of The True Fiction Project, actor Rishi Jaiswal walks us through his unlikely leap from aerospace engineering to a national Broadway tour, his lead role in The Revolution's Wife, and the deeply personal story behind his new short film, The Last Waltz. This movie is about a South Asian family confronting their trans daughter's identity and the silence that follows. We also talk about dance, Sundance, and the strange coincidences that shaped this casting. Tune in to hear the trailer of The Last Waltz, highlighting the moment a father finally faces the daughter he can barely name. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  ✅ How Rishi Jaiswal traded aerospace engineering for a career on stage and screen, starting with So You Think You Can Dance and a national tour of Life of Pi on Broadway. ✅ Why he sent a freedom fighter poem about Gaza to land his role in Revolution's Wife, and how that bold risk paid off during the casting process. ✅ How growing up around a family dance studio and Bollywood culture shaped the way Rishi approaches every character he plays on screen and stage. ✅ Why The Last Waltz speaks directly to the South Asian community about learning to accept a trans child, even without fully understanding her journey first. 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 Rishi Jaiswal shares how he became involved in Revolution's Wife 03:25 How a Gaza freedom fighter poem helped Rishi land his role in Reenita's script 05:14 Discussion of the Revolution’s Wife script 07:56 The Sundance Film Festival encounter that unexpectedly brought Nosheen into the cast as Padma 11:35 From aerospace engineering to a family dance studio, tracing Rishi's winding path into the arts 15:10 Rishi introduces The Last Waltz, his own short film about a trans daughter and her parents 22:38 Watch the exclusive trailer for The Last Waltz ahead of its debut at the LA Shorts Festival KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎 Rishi's role in Revolution's Wife was a lifelong dream 💎 Following your fears, not avoiding them, is what pushed Rishi from a stable engineering path into acting and dance, including his years with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. 💎 Real support does not require full understanding. Reenita and Rishi agree that parents do not need to fully understand their children, only to keep showing up for them. BIO Rishi Jaiswal is an Indian-American actor, filmmaker, and founder of Aikyam Entertainment. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles, his career spans from national television—including shows like So You Think You Can Dance, ABC’s Prank Panel with Johnny Knoxville, and NBC’s American Auto opposite Ana Gasteyer—to starring roles in national commercial campaigns. He penned the award-winning play Radicals, which is slated for a stage return early next year. Rishi also wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the feature film Unmasked now that recently gained distribution, and he is currently starring in an upcoming short film based on the Gadar revolutionary movement "Revolution's Wife", directed by Reenita Malhotra. His latest project, The Last Waltz, is set for its world premiere at the Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival." early next month! ABOUT THE GUEST:  The Last Waltz Tickets LA Shorts Fest Rishi Jaiswal - Instagram Rishi Jaiswal - LinkedIn Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S8 Ep 3 - The Last Waltz

  2. Jul 21

    S8 Ep 2 - Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life

    This episode of the True Fiction Project dives into the remarkable true story behind the historical fiction novel, Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life, by Pamela Reitman about Charlotte Salomon, a young Jewish artist who painted over a thousand works while fleeing the Nazis in France. We talk about the ethics of biographical fiction, how Pamela handled the unanswered questions of Charlotte’s life, and why this story of art born from unimaginable loss still resonates today. This conversation reveals the research process behind historical novels and what it means to give voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves. Tune in to hear Pamela and excerpt of the novel when Charlotte is being reminded that she is a genius artist. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How biographical fiction differs from traditional biography when writers face gaps in the historical record Why Charlotte Salomon's artwork Life? Or Theater! is considered a masterpiece of Holocaust literature and modern art How author Pamela Reitman decided which relationships, like the one with Wolf Abrams, to fictionalize and which to leave ambiguous The role that art and trauma played in helping Salomon process the loss of her mother and family during Nazi occupation 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:   01:10 Pamela Reitman shares her historical fiction novel about Charlotte Salomon's and explains the difference between biographical fiction and traditional biography writing 04:34 Discussion of the Wolf Abrams relationship and the choice to leave their romance ambiguous 07:49 Pamela describes the genesis of the book, since there was already a biography 10:39 Pamela shares how she discovered Charlotte Salomon's work at the Jewish Museum in San Francisco 13:08 Discussion of the time period during which Charlotte’s  work was created, and where the listener can learn more about this amazing woman 15:56 Pamela reads a moving excerpt from her novel about Charlotte's belief in her own artistic genius KEY TAKEAWAYS:  Writers of biographical fiction carry a unique responsibility, especially as Holocaust survivors who could verify the facts become fewer with each passing year Charlotte Salomon's more than 1,300 paintings, created in a single year while she lived without identity papers, eventually became an opera that debuted in Salzburg in 2017 Pamela Reitman believes art served as a way to transform suffering rather than heal it completely, shaping the emotional core of her historical novel ABOUT THE GUEST:  Pamela Reitman, a Jewish Book Council Network author, is an award-winning writer with numerous publications in literary journals, news outlets, and magazines. She has a B. A with honors in English from Columbia and an MPH from UC Berkeley. She is retired from a career in public health and community service focused on reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Pamela is also Director Emerita of Makor Or: A Jewish Meditation Center in San Francisco. She now lives in Healdsburg, California, with her husband.  Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life is Pamela’s debut novel. Over two months on Amazon’s Hot New Releases for Biographical Literary Fiction, Kirkus Reviews calls this novel “a vividly detailed rendering of a real life caught in a maelstrom of 20th-century horror.” RESOURCES MENTIONED: Pamela Reitman (@PamelaReitman1) - Facebook Pamela Reitman - Website Amazon.com: Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life: A Novel Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S8 Ep 2 - Charlotte Salomon Paints Her Life

  3. Jul 7

    S8 Ep 1 - The Secret Book Society

    What happens when historical fiction dares to challenge the rules? On the True Fiction Project, host Reenita Hora welcomes New York Times bestselling author Madeline Martin, whose latest novel, The Secret Book Society, uncovers the radical act of women reading books in the Victorian era. A three-times-widowed Countess builds a secret book club, defying a culture that viewed literate women as dangerous. Madeline shares her extraordinary path through self-publishing, traditional publishing, and deep historical research, writing over 40 books along the way. Rich with Victorian women's history, hatpin fighting, seances, and the language of flowers, this episode is a love letter to storytelling. Tune in to hear the author read the prologue, in which a street boy delivers a single boot as proof that a woman may have been wrongfully taken to a lunatic asylum. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  ✅ Why historical fiction set in the Victorian era continues to captivate readers, and how the rigid etiquette of the period creates a rich backdrop for subversive, empowering storytelling rooted in women's history. ✅ How self-publishing works in the romance novel market, including why authors must release books every one to two months to remain visible, and how Madeline Martin balanced that pace with a full-time career and family. ✅ How a real historical account of a woman wrongfully committed to a lunatic asylum became the foundation for The Secret Book Society, demonstrating how literary fiction is born from documented history. ✅ How intentional detail, including the language of flowers, hatpin fighting, and female authors of the era, can transform a novel into an immersive, layered reading experience. 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 Madeline Martin introduces The Secret Book Society and its Victorian-era setting, where women's reading was actively suppressed 02:36 Madeline shares her 20-year writing journey, from childhood storytelling to publishing over 40 historical fiction and romance novels 05:06 A candid look at self-publishing: writing six to eight books a year, managing every detail, and why independent publishing is demanding 09:56 The transition from historical romance to literary fiction, and why a hatpin played a significant role in the novel  15:41 Madeline reads the prologue of The Secret Book Society KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎 Victorian era restrictions on women's reading were not just social norms; they were enforced control. The Secret Book Society reclaims that history by centering women's empowerment through the radical, joyful act of gathering to read works by female authors. 💎 Madeline Martin's publishing path illustrates the demanding realities of self-publishing, where output volume directly determines visibility. Her shift to traditional publishing allowed her to trade quantity for quality, producing one richly researched historical fiction title per year. 💎 The most compelling literary fiction is often grounded in stranger-than-fiction historical truth. Martin's discovery of a real Victorian woman saved from an asylum by a single thrown boot proves that history, when told with heart and craft, needs very little embellishment. ABOUT THE GUEST:  Madeline Martin is a New York Times and international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance, with books translated into over 25 languages. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband (known as Mr. Awesome), two amazing daughters, and two very spoiled cats. The Secret Book Society: A Novel – A USA Today Bestselling Historical Gothic Mystery: Martin, Madeline Madeline Martin (@MadelineMartinAuthor) - Facebook Madeline Martin - Instagram Madeline Martin (@MadelineMMartin) / Posts - X Madeline Martin - Threads Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S8 Ep 1 - The Secret Book Society

  4. May 14

    S7 Ep 12 - Last Light Over Galveston

    Historical 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/@reenymal Check 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 century 02:27 Jennifer shares her journey from journalism to marriage to historical fiction and explains why historical storytelling can reveal the human side of history 07:30 The plot of Last Light Over Galveston unfolds: women's empowerment, family conflict, and survival during the Galveston Hurricane 10:30 Jennifer discusses the different time periods she chooses to write about and how books are marketed 15:30 Jennifer and Reenita discuss the challenge of period voice and how editors protect the authenticity of historical fiction 18:34 Jennifer Wright reads a snippet of the prologue of Last Light Over Galveston, of character Kathleen's arrival in Galveston KEY 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 - Facebook Jennifer Wright - Instagram Jennifer Wright - Website Last Light over Galveston: by Wright, Jennifer L. - Amazon Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S7 Ep 12 - Last Light Over Galveston

  5. Apr 21

    S7 Ep 11 - Taylor Era by Era

    Taylor 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/@reenymal Check 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 Swift 04:10 Deep dive into music journalism research methods and why published sources form the backbone of a music biography 06:36 The origin story of Taylor Era by Era, how the publisher approached her after her Dua Lipa book, and how it sold 50,000 copies 12:20 Discussion of Taylor Swift's music activism, her long battle to reclaim her album rights, and her influence on the broader music industry 19:00 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 Awards KEY 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 - Facebook Caroline Sullivan - Instagram  X: @TheCSullivan Taylor Era by Era: The Unauthorized Biography Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S7 Ep 11 - Taylor Era by Era

  6. Mar 31

    S7 Ep 10 - The Last Spirits of Manhattan

    What 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 program 04:48 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 fiction 09:45 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 room KEY 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 - Website John A McDermott - LinkedIn John A McDermott - Facebook The Last Spirits of Manhattan - Instagram Book Shop - Website Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S7 Ep 10 - The Last Spirits of Manhattan

  7. Mar 17

    S7 Ep 9 - Get Up and Get it

    What 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 music What 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/@reenymal Check 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 approach 01:56 Keldamuzik explains how she ignored industry advice to specialize and instead pursued creative entrepreneurship across multiple fields 04:34 Kelda discusses how acting came first, from childhood auditions to co-starring in the live stage play How Black Mothers Say I Love You 06:32 Living in California and having a song on The Housewives of Atlanta 08:05 Keldamuzik describes her beret collection, Tams, her inclusive fashion shows, and her upcoming glitter lipstick line 10:12 Keldamuzik shares the women empowerment message behind her song "Get Up and Get It" and performs a verse live KEY 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 - Website Get Up and Get It ‎Keldamuzik - Apple Music https://weartamz.com/ Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S7 Ep 9 - Get Up and Get it

  8. Feb 24

    S7 Ep 8 -  Freefall: A Divine Comedy

    Memoir 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/@reenymal Check 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 techniques 03:30 Does age affect readership and character development in novels featuring women over 60 05:51 Why writing community and memoir writing appeal to older demographics seeking legacy preservation 07:07 Exploring narrative structure and making a comparison to historical fiction 10:58 Inspiration behind the Freefall: A Divine Comedy novel about four women writers reuniting in Whistler and Venice 15:09 Reading excerpt from Freefall: A Divine Comedy featuring installation artist Tilly confronting aging and financial anxiety KEY 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 - Website Lily MacKenzie - LinkedIn Lily MacKenzie - Facebook Lily MacKenzie - Business Facebook Lily MacKenzie - Twitter Lily MacKenzie - Instagram Free Fall - A Divine Comedy - Website  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    S7 Ep 8 -  Freefall: A Divine Comedy
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

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/

Information

  • Creator
    Reenita Hora
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Reenita Hora
  • Show Website
    True Fiction Project