SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

SHOW NOTES
Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist Eden Mckenzie-Goddard about his debut novel SMALLIE - a powerful love story and a multigenerational tale of family, loss, and identity. The novel intertwines personal heritage with the political realities faced by Caribbean immigrants in Britain. In this episode, Eden McKenzie-Goddard shares insights into his writing process, the significance of the novel’s title, and the emotional depths of his characters’ journeys.
Navigating multi-generational stories that reflect the complexities of immigration and identity
How language, music, and personal experiences shape McKenzie-Goddard's storytelling
The role of empathy and emotional truth in portraying characters' inner worlds
The significance of the Windrush scandal in shaping the novel’s political and social themes
Writing in multiple first-person voices to deepen character development
The creative process and how music influences the author's writing rhythm
Challenges of balancing political themes with human stories
Timestamps00:00 - Introduction to Eden Mackenzie Goddard and Smalley
01:33 - Eden reads from his novel, exploring themes of discomfort and language
05:54 - Discussing the book’s connection with the Windrush scandal and its multi-generational scope
08:48 - Film rights and themes of love and anger in the story
11:40 - Personal stories of long-distance love and migration
13:19 - The novel’s portrayal of unspoken responsibilities and internal conflicts
14:17 - Exploring multiple narrative voices and character depth in Smalley
17:35 - The importance of empathy in storytelling and understanding family pain
20:12 - The immigrant experience and feeling of abandonment within families
22:10 - Character complexity, especially Lucinda, and her struggles with language and identity
24:46 - The theme of rebellion and the search for freedom through Lucinda’s journey
26:08 - The impact of language and how it shapes self-perception and authenticity
33:00 - The theme of aloneness and isolation within immigrant narratives
36:05 - Addressing political issues through human stories, focusing on the Windrush scandal
42:16 - The evolution of the story and Mc-Kenzie-Goddard's creative process over years
44:14 - The creative milestone of writing the final scene and the story’s life force
46:00 - Vision of SMALLIE adapted to film, highlighting visual storytelling

Resources & Links
SMALLIE by Eden Mackenzie Goddard (search for latest links)
Nancy Wilson - Guess Who I Saw Today
Connect with Eden Mackenzie GoddardTwitter
Instagram
Official Website
Additional NotesThe significance of language and identity in multicultural and immigrant experiences is central to Eden’s storytelling. His personal insights and musical influences enrich the narrative depth of SMALLIE.
The episode emphasizes storytelling as a vehicle for empathy, highlighting individual human stories amidst political upheavals.

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Summary:
Award-winning American actress Sharon Gless (Cagney&Lacey co-star) in conversation with host Elena Lappin about her powerful memoir APPARENTLY THERE WERE COMPLAINTS (Simon&Schuster)..
Key topics:
Sharon Gless’s childhood experiences and the impact of her parents’ divorce
How acting served as a form of self-preservation and identity
The motivation behind her memoir and its themes of honesty and humour
Differences between acting roles and writing about her own life
The significance of her role in pioneering TV roles for women in the 70s and 80s
Insights into her process of developing characters and backstories
The importance of active listening, both in acting and life
Personal reflections on feeling like an outsider and the power of self-acceptance
Behind-the-scenes stories from "Cagney and Lacey," including collaboration on scripts
Her experiences living and working in London and her love for the city
The dynamic relationship with her co-star Tyne Daly and their off-screen bond
The influence of her grandmother and family on her life and career
Her thoughts on the evolution of television storytelling and female representation
Her outlook on the future and embracing new roles and identities
Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Sharon Gless’s childhood struggles 00:44 - The role of acting as emotional self-defense 02:12 - Reading from her autobiography "Apparently There Were Complaints" 02:38 - Making wishes during storms and unexpected life changes 03:07 - How a CBS meeting led to her memoir 04:07 - Challenges of writing and self-reflection 05:06 - Feelings of not belonging and the comfort of acting 05:35 - Her loyalty to acting as her lifelong love 06:34 - Her approach to character development and authenticity 07:02 - Memorable performances and moments of belonging 07:31 - Universal Studios memories and her career beginnings 09:58 - Influences from her childhood and important figures like Monique James 10:18 - The power of her chapter reading and audience reactions 10:59 - Comparing past TV storytelling with today’s content 11:30 - The honesty and rawness of classic TV stories 12:47 - The material and brilliance behind "Cagney and Lacey" 13:25 - Contributing to scripts and character development 14:17 - Playing Cagney’s struggle with alcoholism and her real-life journey 15:26 - Differences between acting and writing her personal experiences 17:29 - Childhood family dynamics and influential figures 19:14 - The emotional muscles she developed to survive early trauma 20:17 - The significance of feeling dead inside and acting as a safety mechanism 21:19 - Celebrating her portrayal of diverse characters across roles 22:34 - Her acting technique of backstory development 23:21 - Using imagination and research to embody characters 24:11 - Her stage work in London and productions in the West End 25:01 - Her love for London and its cultural resonance 26:11 - Fascinating women in her memoir, like her grandmother and Monique James 27:33 - Lessons learned from her mentor about listening and authentic expression 29:23 - The importance of connection and understanding others in storytelling 30:03 - Her brother Michael’s inspiring story and personal struggles 31:09 - Imagining a film about her family and life stories 31:30 - The on-screen and off-screen relationship with Tyne Daly 32:44 - Her love for her career and early studio life 33:39 - The unique idea of quotes on her book’s back cover 35:37 - Final gratitude and appreciation for her candid storytellingResources & Links:
Apparently There Were Complaints by Sharon Gless
Sharon Gless - IMDb
Universal Studios Official Site
Audible - Apparently There Were Complaints
stagram
Official Website

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Elena Lappin explores the remarkable life and work of Margaret Busby, in conversation with the pioneering publisher, editor, and author, through her personal stories, insights on publishing, and reflections on music and culture. A celebration of the publication of Margaret Busby's new book PART OF THE STORY: WRITINGS FROM HALF A CENURY (Hamish Hamilton).
The episode is dedicated to Margaret Busby"s favourite music charity, TOMORROW's WARRIORS.

keywords

Margaret Busby, publishing, black writers, literature, music, autobiography, Daughters of Africa, Tomorrow's Warriors, black culture, literary history

key topics

Margaret Busby's early life and education in Ghana and England
Founding of Alison and Busby publishing house
Publishing influential black writers and anthologies
Reflections on her personal writings and memoir
Her passion for music and support for Tomorrow's Warriors

guest name

Margaret Busby

key frameworks

Chronological organization of writings
Passing knowledge and passing it on

action items

Explore Margaret Busby's writings and anthologies
Support Tomorrow's Warriors and similar initiatives
Reflect on the importance of passing on cultural knowledge

Titles

Margaret Busby: A Life in Publishing and Music
From Ghana to the World: The Margaret Busby Story

sound bites

"Not a day passes without my mother being in my thoughts."
"Putting together this book was like my life’s work."
"Music is serious; I believe it’s as serious as your life."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Margaret Busby's Background
01:20 Her Publishing Career and Notable Authors
02:20 Her Passion for Music and Tomorrow's Warriors
03:10 Reading from 'Part of the Story' - Personal Reflections
23:41 Assembling the Book: Challenges and Process
26:49 Reflections on Publishing and Personal Life
44:28 Key Writings and Influences in Her Career
52:36 Titles and Themes of the Book Sections
01:07:51 Why Margaret Writes and Publishes
01:11:49 Legacy, Inspiration, and Closing Remarks

resources

Tomorrow's Warriors - https://www.tomorrowswarriors.org/
Daughters of Africa (Book) - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Daughters+of+Africa
Margaret Busby on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MargaretBusby
Official Website - https://www.hamishhamilton.co.uk/authors/margaret-busby
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In this in-depth interview with host Elena Lappin, novelist and non-fiction writer Francis Spufford discusses his latest novel NONESUCH, set during the London Blitz, blending historical detail with supernatural elements. He explores London's layered history, character development, and the interplay of fact and fiction, offering insights into his creative process and thematic interests.

Keywords

Francis Spufford, Nonesuch, London Blitz, historical fiction, literary fiction, supernatural, city as character, novel writing, creative process, WWII London, fantasy in fiction, fascism, the occult, angels, bombing, war, family, love, early technology

Key topics

Blitz era London and its supernatural reinterpretation
London as a character in fiction
Historical layers of London and their influence on storytelling

Guest name

Francis Spufford, Novelist
NONESUCH is published by Faber

sound bites

"Play is very serious for a maker."
"London is a character in this novel."
"The Blitz is London's epic moment."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and author background
01:08 Setting the scene: London during the Blitz
04:37 London's layered history and fictional streets
09:40 The supernatural elements and historical occultism
14:34 The role of London as a character in the novel
19:30 Character development: Iris and her world
23:12 Themes of darkness, evil, and supernatural forces
27:21 Historical influences and literary inspirations
36:47 Transition from nonfiction to fiction writing
41:24 Playfulness and imagination in Spufford's writing
44:34 The challenge of channeling C.S. Lewis
50:24 Belief, faith, and the supernatural in storytelling
53:46 Why Francis Spufford writes: storytelling as understanding

resources

None Such by Francis Spufford - https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571366074-none-such.html
Francis Spufford's Official Website - https://francisspufford.com
London Blitz History - https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/blitz_01.shtml

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/FrancisBufford
Website - https://francisspufford.com
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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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