SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, Guardian foreign correspondent Julian Borger tells host Elena Lappin about his book I SEEK A KIND PERSON: MY FATHER, SEVEN CHILDREN AND THE ADVERTS THAT HELPED THEM ESCAPE THE HOLOCAUST. He discusses his family's past and the stories of other children who were also refugees, highlighting the importance of understanding and remembering these narratives. The discussion also touches on the complexities of belonging and the legacy of trauma passed down through generations.

The episode also features the charity SHELTERBOX, an organisation which provides help worldwide to communities in crisis via their book club, the ShelterBox Book Club.

Keywords

Julian Borger, I Seek a Kind Person, Holocaust, children, survivors, refugee stories, family history, trauma, identity, belonging, memoir, investigative journalism

Takeaways

Julian Borger's book is a personal exploration of his father's refugee experience.
The emotional impact of discovering a family advert seeking a foster parent.
The silence surrounding trauma in refugee families is a common experience.
Borger's investigative journalism approach helped uncover hidden family histories.
The importance of kindness in the context of refugee experiences.
Understanding the dual identity of being a refugee and assimilating into a new culture.
The book connects the stories of multiple refugee children from the same era.
Borger reflects on the pressures his father faced as a refugee.
The significance of remembering and honoring those lost in the Holocaust.
The journey of writing the book transformed Borger's understanding of his family.

Titles

Unveiling Family Secrets: Julian Borger's Journey
The Hidden Stories of Refugees: A Conversation with Julian Borger

Sound bites

"The past is never dead, it's not even past."
"I was running away from something."
"I came to see the boy hidden inside the man."

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: Discovering Family History
07:01 Unpacking the Book: Themes and Inspirations
13:49 The Silence of the Past: Understanding Trauma
22:04 Connecting Stories: The Lives of Refugee Children
30:14 The Impact of Secrecy: A Father's Legacy
36:52 Reflections on Identity: Belonging and Displacement
44:05 Transformative Discoveries: Understanding Family Dynamics
50:56 Cultural Connections: The Influence of History on Art

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Summary

In this episode of Shop Talk with Writers, host Elena Lapin engages in a deep conversation with novelist Moira Buffini about her works, particularly her novels 'Songlight' and 'Torchfire.' Buffini reflects on the themes of trust and division in her fictional town of North Haven, drawing parallels to her own experiences growing up in a divided society influenced by the historical context of Northern Ireland. She discusses the importance of exploring complex relationships, particularly between mothers and daughters, and how these dynamics are often underrepresented in literature. Buffini also addresses the challenges of categorizing her work within the YA genre, emphasizing the emotional truths and societal issues her characters navigate, including the implications of misogyny and the expectations placed on young women in a dystopian setting.

Keywords

Moira Buffini, Songlight, Torchfire, dystopian fiction, YA literature, mother-daughter relationships, societal issues, writing process, speculative fiction, emotional truth, political fantasy, historical parallels

Takeaways

There's nothing in these books that hasn't happened somewhere in the world.
Mothers are extraordinary figures with both light and darkness in their relationships.
Speculative fiction allows us to explore societal issues in a different light.
The emotional truth in writing is what makes a story beautiful.
Young women need to navigate difficult realities, and literature can help arm them.

Titles

Exploring Dystopia: Moira Buffini on 'Songlight' and 'Torchfire'
The Emotional Truth in Dystopian Fiction with Moira Buffini

Sound bites

"I drew on my great love of history."
"Why is the exploration of difficult relationships not acceptable?"
"Speculative fiction is a great way of distilling out the confusion."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Moira Buffini and Her Works
02:09 Themes of Trust and Division in North Haven
04:24 Mother-Daughter Relationships in Literature
07:03 Navigating YA Genre and Emotional Truth
10:50 Exploring Misogyny and Societal Expectations
18:14 The Role of History in Buffini's Writing
24:11 Speculative Fiction as a Reflection of Now
30:06 The Freedom and Challenges of Writing Across Mediums
34:08 Why Moira Buffini Writes

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Keywords

dystopian fiction, telepathy, Songlight, Torch Trilogy, character development, creative writing, Moira Buffini, storytelling, female empowerment, world-building

Summary

In this wide-ranging conversation, acclaimed novelist, playwright and screenwriter Moira Buffini discusses her dystopian trilogy, the Torch Trilogy, which explores themes of telepathy, connection, and the struggles of young women against oppressive regimes. The dialogue delves into Buffini's creative process, her transition from playwriting to novel writing, and the intricate character development that brings her world to life. The discussion also highlights the moral complexities of her characters, particularly the antagonists, and the overarching themes of communication and empowerment in her storytelling.

Takeaways

The world of Songlight is set thousands of years in the future.
Buffini's writing is influenced by her background in playwriting.
The trilogy explores themes of telepathy and connection.
Character development is central to the storytelling process.
Buffini aims to write stories that resonate with her heart.
The intimacy of novel writing differs from playwriting.
Buffini's characters are often named for their traits or roles.
The antagonist, Zara Swan, is a complex character shaped by trauma.
The trilogy emphasizes the power of young women standing together.
Buffini believes in the importance of intuitive communication.

Titles

Exploring the Dystopian World of Songlight
The Creative Journey of Moira Buffini

Sound bites

"This is my heart song."
"Song is a central human thing."
"I keep going back to writing."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Dystopian World of Songlight
07:58 The Creative Process Behind the Torch Trilogy
15:30 The Transition from Playwriting to Novel Writing
21:05 Character Development and Perspectives
30:54 Themes of Connection and Communication
39:24 Complex Antagonists and Moral Ambiguity

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Summary

In this conversation with host Elena Lappin, Gary Gulman discusses his memoir 'Misfit', reflecting on his journey as a writer and comedian. He shares insights into the writing process, the importance of storytelling, and the influence of teachers and mentors in his life. The discussion also explores the adaptation of his memoir into a stand-up show, the challenges of writing about personal experiences, and his aspirations for future writing projects.

Keywords

memoir, storytelling, comedy, writing process, adaptation, character voices, teachers, personal growth, future aspirations, Gary Gulman

Takeaways

Gary's storytelling ability was recognized by a professor early on.
Writing projects in school were a refuge for Gary.
Humour can be a coping mechanism for deeper emotions.
The process of adapting a memoir into a stand-up show is complex.
Character voices in writing can bring realism to the narrative.
Teachers can have a profound impact on a student's life.
Writing requires discipline and practice to improve.
The memoir reflects a blend of vulnerability and humour.
Gary's relationship with his mother influenced his writing.
Future writing aspirations include exploring fiction.

Titles

The Art of Storytelling with Gary Gulman
Misfit: A Journey Through Comedy and Writing

Chapters

00:00 The Journey to Storytelling
05:40 Exploring Misfit: A Memoir
10:47 The Art of Adaptation: From Page to Stage
16:50 Character Voices and Realism in Writing
22:50 The Impact of Teachers and Mentors
32:20 Writing Process and Personal Reflections
38:15 Future Aspirations: Novels and Beyond
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Show Notes/Summary

In this episode, host Elena Lappin welcomes novelist and international book blogger Ann Morgan to discuss her thought-provoking new book, Relearning to Read: Adventures in Not Knowing. The conversation delves into the transformative power of reading and the importance of humility and openness when encountering unfamiliar narratives. Morgan shares her personal journey of unlearning traditional reading habits shaped by academic expectations and the liberating experience of engaging with literature from diverse cultures. Through anecdotes from her time volunteering with the Samaritans and her encounters with extraordinary individuals, she illustrates the profound connection between reading and understanding others' stories. This episode invites listeners to embrace the adventure of reading with curiosity and an open mind.
Keywords
Shop Talk With Writers, Ann Morgan, Relearning To Read, Adventures In Not Knowing, International Literature, Samaritans, Emotional Support, Reading Experience, Curiosity In Reading, Children's Literature, Graphic Novels, Literary Analysis, Writing Process, Cultural Perspectives, Literary Traditions, Book Blogging, Cross-Cultural Reading, Humility In Reading, Reader-Writer Collaboration, Creative Writing
Takeaways
Reading requires humility and openness to different perspectives.
Volunteering can reshape one's understanding of narratives.
Children's reading habits reflect a natural acceptance of stories.
Relearning to read involves embracing childlike wonder.
Education can impose restrictive reading frameworks.
Gender dynamics affect academic performance in reading and writing.
Creative interpretation is essential in understanding literature.
Digital reading influences reader engagement and collaboration.
Curiosity fosters deeper connections with diverse cultures.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:16 Exploring the Concept of Reading
03:45 The Impact of Volunteering on Reading Perspectives
06:04 Childhood Experiences and Early Writing
09:04 The Influence of Children’s Reading Habits
10:58 Relearning to Read with Childlike Wonder
12:17 The Role of Education in Shaping Reading
15:13 Gender Dynamics in Academic Reading and Writing
19:03 The Art of Creative Interpretation in Reading
22:23 Openness in Reading and Understanding Different Cultures
27:03 Reading from Diverse Global Perspectives
30:04 The Writer's Freedom and Boldness in Storytelling
31:36 The Collaborative Nature of Reading and Writing
34:57 The Influence of Digital Reading on Reader Experience
38:34 The Universality of Literature and Reader Engagement
44:54 Personal Stories and Connections Through Literature
50:32 Curiosity and Learning from Others
52:13 Current Projects and Future Endeavors

Keywords
understanding, validation, academic success, personal growth, reading, cultural openness

Takeaways
Reading international literature was an incredibly formative experience.
In school and academia, I became very fixated on this idea of needing to be right.
It laid the groundwork for some pretty troubling reading.
Understanding everything became a personal obsession.
Academic success can lead to troubling patterns in thinking.
The pressure to excel can hinder genuine learning.
Struggles in one subject can overshadow strengths in another.
Personal growth is often tied to our academic experiences.
Reading is an adventure in learning what we don't know

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