<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new">Send us a text! We&#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.</a>If you love historical fiction that uncovers the hidden stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, this episode is going to pull you right in.In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by historical novelist Diane Shotton, author of Motty’s Vow and her latest novel, <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Dictograph-Case-Diane-Wahn-Shotton/dp/B0FMJJ5DXV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CVB4RXGFVE9&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FDPbMD5gPx3D1Ck-6lPoSg.es65PmXp4Fg037MmJlvlBUdqjQbxybyx-9G6aLTEacg&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+dictograph+case+Diane+Shotton&amp;qid=1773851317&amp;sprefix=the+dictograph+case+diane+shotton%2Caps%2C131&amp;sr=8-1'>The Dictograph Case.</a> Diane writes the kind of fiction that shines a light on forgotten people and overlooked moments in history—and this story began with one of those astonishing discoveries that simply won’t let a writer go.Back in 1999, while researching her family history in a local library, Diane stumbled across a newspaper story about seven men accused of treason during World War I for talking among themselves in a shoe shop. The case involved a “Dictograph”—an early listening device used to secretly record their conversations—which were then used against them in court. Three of the men, all over the age of 65 and respected in their community, ended up in jail. Diane knew immediately this was a story she had to tell.What makes <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Dictograph-Case-Diane-Wahn-Shotton/dp/B0FMJJ5DXV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CVB4RXGFVE9&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FDPbMD5gPx3D1Ck-6lPoSg.es65PmXp4Fg037MmJlvlBUdqjQbxybyx-9G6aLTEacg&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+dictograph+case+Diane+Shotton&amp;qid=1773851317&amp;sprefix=the+dictograph+case+diane+shotton%2Caps%2C131&amp;sr=8-1'>The Dictograph Case</a> especially compelling is the way Diane blends fact and fiction. At the core is a real historical event, but around that she builds a richly imagined mystery with noir undertones, a slow-burn romance, and a town full of secrets. We talk about the choices she made as a novelist: why she told the story through Michael, the grandson of the shoe shop owner, and how Olivia—whose father was killed during the events surrounding the case—became an essential part of the narrative.Diane also shares some of the craft challenges behind writing the book, including working with dual point of view for the first time, trusting readers to pick up on clues without over-explaining, and figuring out how to raise the stakes for the antagonist so the mystery had real tension. It’s a thoughtful look at how historical fiction is shaped not just by research, but by storytelling decisions on the page.We also talk about the delicate balance between truth and invention. Diane is a genealogist, so facts matter deeply to her—but in this case, fiction allowed her to explore what history left behind. In reality, the town seemed to move on and never speak of the incident again. In the novel, Diane imagines what it might look like if the emotional and social consequences lingered for decades.Our conversation also touches on the eerie relevance of the novel’s themes today: free speech, patriotism, public pressure, and the ways fear can be used to divide communities. This is one of those historical novels that doesn’t just immerse you in another time—it also throws light on our own.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us a text! We&amp;#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you love historical fiction that uncovers the hidden stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, this episode is going to pull you right in.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today’s conversation on &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, I’m joined by historical novelist Diane Shotton, author of &lt;em&gt;Motty’s Vow&lt;/em&gt; and her latest novel, &lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Dictograph-Case-Diane-Wahn-Shotton/dp/B0FMJJ5DXV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CVB4RXGFVE9&amp;amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FDPbMD5gPx3D1Ck-6lPoSg.es65PmXp4Fg037MmJlvlBUdqjQbxybyx-9G6aLTEacg&amp;amp;dib_tag=se&amp;amp;keywords=the+dictograph+case+Diane+Shotton&amp;amp;qid=1773851317&amp;amp;sprefix=the+dictograph+case+diane+shotton%2Caps%2C131&amp;amp;sr=8-1'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Dictograph Case&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Diane writes the kind of fiction that shines a light on forgotten people and overlooked moments in history—and this story began with one of those astonishing discoveries that simply won’t let a writer go.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Back in 1999, while researching her family history in a local library, Diane stumbled across a newspaper story about seven men accused of treason during World War I for talking among themselves in a shoe shop. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The case involved a “Dictograph”—an early listening device used to secretly record their conversations—which were then used against them in court. Three of the men, all over the age of 65 and respected in their community, ended up in jail. Diane knew immediately this was a story she had to tell.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What makes &lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Dictograph-Case-Diane-Wahn-Shotton/dp/B0FMJJ5DXV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=12CVB4RXGFVE9&amp;amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.FDPbMD5gPx3D1Ck-6lPoSg.es65PmXp4Fg037MmJlvlBUdqjQbxybyx-9G6aLTEacg&amp;amp;dib_tag=se&amp;amp;keywords=the+dictograph+case+Diane+Shotton&amp;amp;qid=1773851317&amp;amp;sprefix=the+dictograph+case+diane+shotton%2Caps%2C131&amp;amp;sr=8-1'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Dictograph Case&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt; especially compelling is the way Diane blends fact and fiction. At the core is a real historical event, but around that she builds a richly imagined mystery with noir undertones, a slow-burn romance, and a town full of secrets. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We talk about the choices she made as a novelist: why she told the story through Michael, the grandson of the shoe shop owner, and how Olivia—whose father was killed during the events surrounding the case—became an essential part of the narrative.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Diane also shares some of the craft challenges behind writing the book, including working with dual point of view for the first time, trusting readers to pick up on clues without over-explaining, and figuring out how to raise the stakes for the antagonist so the mystery had real tension. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;It’s a thoughtful look at how historical fiction is shaped not just by research, but by storytelling decisions on the page.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also talk about the delicate balance between truth and invention. Diane is a genealogist, so facts matter deeply to her—but in this case, fiction allowed her to explore what history left behind. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In reality, the town seemed to move on and never speak of the incident again. In the novel, Diane imagines what it might look like if the emotional and social consequences lingered for decades.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our conversation also touches on the eerie relevance of the novel’s themes today: free speech, patriotism, public pressure, and the ways fear can be used to divide communities. This is one of those historical novels that doesn’t just immerse you in another time—it also throws light on our own.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show. If you love historical fiction that uncovers the hidden stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, this episode is going to pull you right in. In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by historical novelist Diane Shotton, author of Motty’s Vow and her latest novel, The Dictograph Case.  Diane writes the kind of fiction that shines a light on forgotten people and overlooked m...

How to Write from True History, with Diane Wahn Shotton

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2077625/open_sms">Send us a text! We&#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.</a>If you’ve ever wished someone could take all those slippery, hard-to-explain storytelling principles and turn them into something you could actually see, this episode is for you.In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by book coach and editor <a href='https://loripuma.com/'>Lori Puma</a>, and we dive into a topic that is both delightfully nerdy and wildly useful: story structure infographics.Lori came to this work in a fascinating way. With a PhD in epidemiology and a background as a Story Grid editor, she brings both analytical precision and deep story knowledge to the table. After working with writers and realizing that many of their biggest questions weren’t fully answered by the craft systems already out there, Lori set out to build visual tools that could help writers better understand what’s happening in a story—and how to manage multiple story elements at once.And truly, that’s what makes this conversation so valuable.We start with Lori’s action story diagram, which she explains is designed for any story where a hero must defeat a villain and save a victim. That includes action-adventure, crime thrillers, fantasy quests, and high-stakes “save the world” stories. Lori walks us through the eight major panels of this structure, from the moment harm is done, through complications, failed plans, rising stakes, and finally the one-on-one climax. Along the way, she introduces a set of “thermometers” that measure different types of danger—physical, social, environmental, and institutional—and explains how tracking those threats can help writers create stories that feel dynamic and escalating.What I especially loved is how practical Lori makes all of this. She talks about time pressure, resources, allies, and even compares the flow of an action novel to a video game, which honestly makes so much sense. Using examples from The Hunger Games, Killing Floor, and The Martian, she shows how structure isn’t about formula for formula’s sake—it’s about helping the reader feel tension, momentum, and emotional investment.From there, we shift into the investigation rhythm, which I found especially juicy as someone working on a historical mystery. Lori introduces the idea of “lenses”—different ways an investigator might interpret clues, suspects, motives, or locations. She explains how mystery plots move through discovery, narrowing, stalls, plot-twisting clues, resets, and eventual solution. One of the most helpful takeaways here is her insight that a real plot twist should actually change the diagram. If the way the clues fit together doesn’t fundamentally shift, it’s probably not a true twist.We also touch on romance structure, including attraction, adhesion, connection, and the emotional vulnerability required for a satisfying happily-ever-after. Lori’s concept of “adhesion”—the force that keeps love interests in each other’s orbit even when things get hard—is especially smart and useful.This is such a rich episode for writers who love craft, structure, and understanding why stories work. If you enjoy seeing the bones beneath the book, you’re going to love this one.***<a href='https://breakoutnovel.scoreapp.com/'>TAKE LORI&apos;S BREAKOUT NOVEL QUIZ HERE!</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2077625/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text! We&amp;#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wished someone could take all those slippery, hard-to-explain storytelling principles and turn them into something you could actually see, this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today’s conversation on &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, I’m joined by book coach and editor &lt;a href='https://loripuma.com/'&gt;Lori Puma&lt;/a&gt;, and we dive into a topic that is both delightfully nerdy and wildly useful: story structure infographics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lori came to this work in a fascinating way. With a PhD in epidemiology and a background as a &lt;em&gt;Story Grid&lt;/em&gt; editor, she brings both analytical precision and deep story knowledge to the table. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After working with writers and realizing that many of their biggest questions weren’t fully answered by the craft systems already out there, Lori set out to build visual tools that could help writers better understand what’s happening in a story—and how to manage multiple story elements at once.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And truly, that’s what makes this conversation so valuable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We start with Lori’s action story diagram, which she explains is designed for any story where a hero must defeat a villain and save a victim. That includes action-adventure, crime thrillers, fantasy quests, and high-stakes “save the world” stories. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lori walks us through the eight major panels of this structure, from the moment harm is done, through complications, failed plans, rising stakes, and finally the one-on-one climax. Along the way, she introduces a set of “thermometers” that measure different types of danger—physical, social, environmental, and institutional—and explains how tracking those threats can help writers create stories that feel dynamic and escalating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What I especially loved is how practical Lori makes all of this. She talks about time pressure, resources, allies, and even compares the flow of an action novel to a video game, which honestly makes so much sense. Using examples from &lt;em&gt;The Hunger Games&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Killing Floor&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;The Martian&lt;/em&gt;, she shows how structure isn’t about formula for formula’s sake—it’s about helping the reader feel tension, momentum, and emotional investment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From there, we shift into the investigation rhythm, which I found especially juicy as someone working on a historical mystery. Lori introduces the idea of “lenses”—different ways an investigator might interpret clues, suspects, motives, or locations. She explains how mystery plots move through discovery, narrowing, stalls, plot-twisting clues, resets, and eventual solution. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the most helpful takeaways here is her insight that a real plot twist should actually change the diagram. If the way the clues fit together doesn’t fundamentally shift, it’s probably not a true twist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also touch on romance structure, including attraction, adhesion, connection, and the emotional vulnerability required for a satisfying happily-ever-after. Lori’s concept of “adhesion”—the force that keeps love interests in each other’s orbit even when things get hard—is especially smart and useful.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is such a rich episode for writers who love craft, structure, and understanding why stories work. If you enjoy seeing the bones beneath the book, you’re going to love this one.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;***&lt;a href='https://breakoutnovel.scoreapp.com/'&gt;TAKE LORI&amp;apos;S BREAKOUT NOVEL QUIZ HERE!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show. If you’ve ever wished someone could take all those slippery, hard-to-explain storytelling principles and turn them into something you could actually see, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by book coach and editor Lori Puma, and we dive into a topic that is both delightfully nerdy and wildly useful: story structure infographics. Lori came to this work in a fascinating way...

The Infographic Guide to Standout Plots, with Lori Puma

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new">Send us a text! We&#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.</a>If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring a whole historical world to life on the page—without losing your reader in the weeds—this episode is for you.In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by author <a href='https://www.sharon-curcio.com/'>Sharon Curcio</a>, and we’re talking about her indie-published historical novel, <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Journey-Topple-Shogun-Medieval/dp/B0F3LVM6V2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K8EEVFEL49T7&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MfCi_gtFrEWb7iMNhdSbTg.-saAzJQVIL7hDkoPjlfVtQqzQvhc_Mv-B8fxfPZ9PJU&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Asaii%3A+An+Autistic+Teen%E2%80%99s+Journey+to+Topola+Shogun+in+Medieval+Japan.&amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;qid=1772635054&amp;sprefix=asaii+an+autistic+teen+s+journey+to+topola+shogun+in+medieval+japan.+%2Caps%2C241&amp;sr=8-1'>Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topola Shogun in Medieval Japan</a>. Sharon shares how this book (volume one of a trilogy) has already earned four medallions of excellence and a historical fiction finalist award from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards—and why readers have been responding so strongly to it.Sharon takes us back to the unexpected origin of this story: her early years in the advertising world in New York, and a deep fascination with sumi-e art—the traditional Japanese black-ink painting practice that demands intense precision and presence. That discipline, Sharon explains, was part of what catalyzed her long-term “journey into Japan,” eventually including a visit in 2024.From there, we dig into one of the most compelling creative choices in Sharon’s novel: writing an autistic teenage heroine. Sharon describes a moment of realization—she could paint Japanese symbols beautifully, but she wasn’t literate in Japanese and didn’t know what the characters meant. As she approached retirement, she began to ask: what kind of child might live inside that gap between skill and spoken understanding? Her answer became Asaii—an autistic teen whose strengths, perception, and determination shape the entire story.We also talk about history. Sharon explains what a shogun actually is (and why it’s more than “a warlord with a gang”), touching on the bakufu, legal structures, and the fierce importance of land in Japan, where only a small percentage is arable. Then she shares the real historical anchor point that sparked her plot research: the assassination of Yoshinori Ashikaga in 1441, an event Sharon uses as a fixed historical milestone while weaving fictional characters into the true historical timeline.One of the craft highlights of our conversation is Sharon’s approach to a mute protagonist. In the novel, Asaii understands language but cannot speak it—and Sharon describes the challenges (and opportunities) of building a character who communicates through expression, action, and rapid sketching. It’s a fascinating look at how story can move powerfully without relying on dialogue.We also chat indie publishing realities: the cover design process (including the surprising agony of getting sizing right for upload), Sharon’s decision to publish independently to avoid years-long waits, and the marketing maze—what worked, what didn’t (including Amazon Ads), and how podcasts and legitimate book clubs helped her reach real readers.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us a text! We&amp;#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring a whole historical world to life on the page—without losing your reader in the weeds—this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today’s conversation on &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, I’m joined by author &lt;a href='https://www.sharon-curcio.com/'&gt;Sharon Curcio&lt;/a&gt;, and we’re talking about her indie-published historical novel, &lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Autistic-Journey-Topple-Shogun-Medieval/dp/B0F3LVM6V2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2K8EEVFEL49T7&amp;amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MfCi_gtFrEWb7iMNhdSbTg.-saAzJQVIL7hDkoPjlfVtQqzQvhc_Mv-B8fxfPZ9PJU&amp;amp;dib_tag=se&amp;amp;keywords=Asaii%3A+An+Autistic+Teen%E2%80%99s+Journey+to+Topola+Shogun+in+Medieval+Japan.&amp;amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;amp;qid=1772635054&amp;amp;sprefix=asaii+an+autistic+teen+s+journey+to+topola+shogun+in+medieval+japan.+%2Caps%2C241&amp;amp;sr=8-1'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topola Shogun in Medieval Japan&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sharon shares how this book (volume one of a trilogy) has already earned four medallions of excellence and a historical fiction finalist award from the Next Generation Indie Book Awards—and why readers have been responding so strongly to it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Sharon takes us back to the unexpected origin of this story: her early years in the advertising world in New York, and a deep fascination with sumi-e art—the traditional Japanese black-ink painting practice that demands intense precision and presence. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That discipline, Sharon explains, was part of what catalyzed her long-term “journey into Japan,” eventually including a visit in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From there, we dig into one of the most compelling creative choices in Sharon’s novel: writing an autistic teenage heroine. Sharon describes a moment of realization—she could paint Japanese symbols beautifully, but she wasn’t literate in Japanese and didn’t know what the characters meant. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As she approached retirement, she began to ask: what kind of child might live inside that gap between skill and spoken understanding? Her answer became Asaii—an autistic teen whose strengths, perception, and determination shape the entire story.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also talk about history. Sharon explains what a shogun actually is (and why it’s more than “a warlord with a gang”), touching on the bakufu, legal structures, and the fierce importance of land in Japan, where only a small percentage is arable. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Then she shares the real historical anchor point that sparked her plot research: the assassination of Yoshinori Ashikaga in 1441, an event Sharon uses as a fixed historical milestone while weaving fictional characters into the true historical timeline.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;One of the craft highlights of our conversation is Sharon’s approach to a mute protagonist. In the novel, Asaii understands language but cannot speak it—and Sharon describes the challenges (and opportunities) of building a character who communicates through expression, action, and rapid sketching. It’s a fascinating look at how story can move powerfully without relying on dialogue.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also chat indie publishing realities: the cover design process (including the surprising agony of getting sizing right for upload), Sharon’s decision to publish independently to avoid years-long waits, and the marketing maze—what worked, what didn’t (including Amazon Ads), and how podcasts and legitimate book clubs helped her reach real readers.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to bring a whole historical world to life on the page—without losing your reader in the weeds—this episode is for you. In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by author Sharon Curcio, and we’re talking about her indie-published historical novel, Asayi: An Autistic Teen’s Journey to Topola Shogun in Medieval Japan.  Sharon shares how this book (volume one of a...

How to Bring History to Life, with Sharon Curcio

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new">Send us a text! We&#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.</a>If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a brand-new novelist takes a big, brave swing—tackling history, identity, community, and book bans all in one story—this episode is for you.Today on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by Julie Snider, a retired public school teacher near Sacramento who now writes both fiction and nonfiction with a big-hearted focus on social justice and connection. Julie’s debut novel, <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Chapel-Bay-Secrets-Julie-Snider/dp/B0G1PX4XQS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G50NKNKTH7AN&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uk5-nqGHcoN6fyMN0xRvdCGVlmyi9oFqNVusi4aaCCPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.bH-yl8AL-TqdO8_qN5skX5eqLchCt4JY8YHhy64-Xu4&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=chapel+bay+secrets&amp;qid=1771351493&amp;sprefix=Chapel+Ba%2Caps%2C145&amp;sr=8-1'>Chapel Bay Secrets </a>(released January 2026), is set in a small town where the secrets don’t belong to just one person—they ripple through an entire community.Julie shares how the seed of this novel was planted years ago, when she visited the site of the Tule Lake Internment Camp in Northern California. She describes walking through cold, dirty barracks and feeling shocked that Japanese American incarceration during World War II wasn’t something she’d been taught growing up. That moment stayed with her—“like an arrow through my heart,” as she puts it—and eventually became part of the emotional backbone of her story. As Julie researched further, she also learned more about intergenerational trauma, and how the impact of incarceration can be carried through families for decades.From there, Julie built a “layer cake” of characters and issues—centered on her protagonist Brenda Cato, a Japanese American lesbian librarian whose mother was incarcerated. Brenda is grappling with grief on the anniversary of her mother’s death, and she’s also searching for a father she never knew—because her mother died without telling her who he was. And then there’s the catalyst that brings everything into sharp focus: Brenda is suddenly facing a book ban at her library.Julie talks about how the intensity of book bans in the early 2020s fueled her anger as a former educator—and how she did her homework by connecting with librarians and staying informed through the research shared by others in her network. Even with heavy material, Julie intentionally brought in humor, warmth, and everyday life—quirky characters, a best friend with a sharp sense of humor, and yes, a romance that blossoms when Brenda meets someone on a run. Julie also shares her process behind the scenes: color-coded timelines, lots of revision, and the moment her developmental editor told her, “I can’t believe you made it to the end.”We talk self-publishing, cover design choices (no faces—so readers can imagine!), and Julie’s belief that books are written and shared in community. If you love thoughtful, genre-blending stories with heart, history, and hope, you’ll love this conversation.Learn more about Julie and her work at<a href='https://juliesniderauthor.com/'> https://juliesniderauthor.com/</a> and subscribe to her Substack, Impermanent Joy.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us a text! We&amp;#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a brand-new novelist takes a big, brave swing—tackling history, identity, community, and book bans all in one story—this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Today on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by Julie Snider, a retired public school teacher near Sacramento who now writes both fiction and nonfiction with a big-hearted focus on social justice and connection. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Julie’s debut novel, &lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Chapel-Bay-Secrets-Julie-Snider/dp/B0G1PX4XQS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G50NKNKTH7AN&amp;amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.uk5-nqGHcoN6fyMN0xRvdCGVlmyi9oFqNVusi4aaCCPGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.bH-yl8AL-TqdO8_qN5skX5eqLchCt4JY8YHhy64-Xu4&amp;amp;dib_tag=se&amp;amp;keywords=chapel+bay+secrets&amp;amp;qid=1771351493&amp;amp;sprefix=Chapel+Ba%2Caps%2C145&amp;amp;sr=8-1'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Chapel Bay Secrets&lt;/em&gt; &lt;/a&gt;(released January 2026), is set in a small town where the secrets don’t belong to just one person—they ripple through an entire community.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Julie shares how the seed of this novel was planted years ago, when she visited the site of the Tule Lake Internment Camp in Northern California. She describes walking through cold, dirty barracks and feeling shocked that Japanese American incarceration during World War II wasn’t something she’d been taught growing up. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That moment stayed with her—“like an arrow through my heart,” as she puts it—and eventually became part of the emotional backbone of her story. As Julie researched further, she also learned more about intergenerational trauma, and how the impact of incarceration can be carried through families for decades.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From there, Julie built a “layer cake” of characters and issues—centered on her protagonist Brenda Cato, a Japanese American lesbian librarian whose mother was incarcerated. Brenda is grappling with grief on the anniversary of her mother’s death, and she’s also searching for a father she never knew—because her mother died without telling her who he was. And then there’s the catalyst that brings everything into sharp focus: Brenda is suddenly facing a book ban at her library.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Julie talks about how the intensity of book bans in the early 2020s fueled her anger as a former educator—and how she did her homework by connecting with librarians and staying informed through the research shared by others in her network. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Even with heavy material, Julie intentionally brought in humor, warmth, and everyday life—quirky characters, a best friend with a sharp sense of humor, and yes, a romance that blossoms when Brenda meets someone on a run. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Julie also shares her process behind the scenes: color-coded timelines, lots of revision, and the moment her developmental editor told her, &lt;em&gt;“I can’t believe you made it to the end.”&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We talk self-publishing, cover design choices (no faces—so readers can imagine!), and Julie’s belief that books are written and shared in community. If you love thoughtful, genre-blending stories with heart, history, and hope, you’ll love this conversation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Learn more about Julie and her work at&lt;a href='https://juliesniderauthor.com/'&gt; https://juliesniderauthor.com/&lt;/a&gt; and subscribe to her Substack, &lt;em&gt;Impermanent Joy&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a brand-new novelist takes a big, brave swing—tackling history, identity, community, and book bans all in one story—this episode is for you. Today on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by Julie Snider, a retired public school teacher near Sacramento who now writes both fiction and nonfiction with a big-hearted focus on social justice and connection.  Julie’s debut novel, Chape...

Writing with a Justice Perspective, with Julie Snider

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new">Send us a text! We&#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.</a>If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if the “perfect” PTA mom had a secret life… this episode is for you.In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by women’s suspense author Kendra Pecci, and we’re talking about her debut novel, <a href='https://www.amazon.com/Focus-Deception-Kendra-Pecci/dp/B0FW3VH1MY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38FSUJYD9C2A2&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q4QUPSwXQuqqNqfAIRdGRw.qSJRoIxJ1F6DnNcFlZ67X_Up9zzOM28OBYhCU_fi608&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=focus+on+deception+kendra+pecci&amp;qid=1770910966&amp;sprefix=Focus+on+Deception%2Caps%2C140&amp;sr=8-1'>Focus on Deception</a>—a deliciously fun, high-stakes story set in a world of soccer games, fundraisers, and wine moms… with a twist.Kendra introduces us to Stella Meyers, a photographer who blends right into her ritzy Connecticut suburb by day—capturing weddings, parties, and PTA events—while secretly robbing people blind at night. Stella lives for the thrill, but when an exhilarating new connection starts to make a steady paycheck (and a more “normal” life) look appealing, everything changes. A ruthless blackmailer uncovers Stella’s identity and threatens her daughter, and suddenly all bets are off.Kendra describes the vibe perfectly: Ocean’s 8 meets Big Little Lies with Gilmore Girls energy—and honestly? Yes. Please.We also dig into the long road it took Kendra to bring this book to life. The seed of the story came years ago, when Kendra was living in Anchorage, Alaska and spotted the president of the PTA—seemingly flawless, “the whole package.” Kendra wondered, What if this is all a ruse? And just like that, Stella was born.But here’s where it gets really interesting: Kendra originally wrote Stella’s story as women’s fiction. She queried it back in 2011 and kept hearing the same feedback: “You’ve got a thriller on your hands—you need to raise the stakes.” Kendra resisted that for a long time (a decade, in fact), because she wanted to tell a story about a mom taking risks without having to “wreck” the character. Eventually, she made the difficult (and powerful) craft decision to shift the book into women’s suspense—while still honoring the relationships, inner life, and emotional texture that make Stella feel so real.Kendra also shares what it was like to self-publish Focus on Deception in 2025—describing it as riding a roller coaster while building the roller coaster (and learning how to build it at the same time). We talk about the importance of deadlines, editing support, and figuring out what kind of writer you are—pantser, plotter, or (as she learned from Lewis Jorstad) a “puzzler” who uses intuitive outlining to create direction without crushing creativity.And underneath all of it is a message writers need: finishing a book is often 90% mental. There really is a path for everybody—you just have to find the one that fits your brain, your life, and your season.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077625/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us a text! We&amp;#39;d love to hear your thoughts on the show.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if the “perfect” PTA mom had a secret life… this episode is for you.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In today’s conversation on &lt;em&gt;The Resilient Writers Radio Show&lt;/em&gt;, I’m joined by women’s suspense author Kendra Pecci, and we’re talking about her debut novel, &lt;a href='https://www.amazon.com/Focus-Deception-Kendra-Pecci/dp/B0FW3VH1MY/ref=sr_1_1?crid=38FSUJYD9C2A2&amp;amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Q4QUPSwXQuqqNqfAIRdGRw.qSJRoIxJ1F6DnNcFlZ67X_Up9zzOM28OBYhCU_fi608&amp;amp;dib_tag=se&amp;amp;keywords=focus+on+deception+kendra+pecci&amp;amp;qid=1770910966&amp;amp;sprefix=Focus+on+Deception%2Caps%2C140&amp;amp;sr=8-1'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Focus on Deception&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;—a deliciously fun, high-stakes story set in a world of soccer games, fundraisers, and wine moms… with a twist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kendra introduces us to Stella Meyers, a photographer who blends right into her ritzy Connecticut suburb by day—capturing weddings, parties, and PTA events—while secretly robbing people blind at night. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Stella lives for the thrill, but when an exhilarating new connection starts to make a steady paycheck (and a more “normal” life) look appealing, everything changes. A ruthless blackmailer uncovers Stella’s identity and threatens her daughter, and suddenly all bets are off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kendra describes the vibe perfectly: &lt;em&gt;Ocean’s 8&lt;/em&gt; meets &lt;em&gt;Big Little Lies&lt;/em&gt; with &lt;em&gt;Gilmore Girls&lt;/em&gt; energy—and honestly? Yes. Please.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also dig into the long road it took Kendra to bring this book to life. The seed of the story came years ago, when Kendra was living in Anchorage, Alaska and spotted the president of the PTA—seemingly flawless, “the whole package.” Kendra wondered, &lt;em&gt;What if this is all a ruse?&lt;/em&gt; And just like that, Stella was born.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But here’s where it gets really interesting: Kendra originally wrote Stella’s story as women’s fiction. She queried it back in 2011 and kept hearing the same feedback: “You’ve got a thriller on your hands—you need to raise the stakes.” Kendra resisted that for a long time (a decade, in fact), because she wanted to tell a story about a mom taking risks without having to “wreck” the character. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Eventually, she made the difficult (and powerful) craft decision to shift the book into women’s suspense—while still honoring the relationships, inner life, and emotional texture that make Stella feel so real.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kendra also shares what it was like to self-publish &lt;em&gt;Focus on Deception&lt;/em&gt; in 2025—describing it as riding a roller coaster while building the roller coaster (and learning how to build it at the same time). &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We talk about the importance of deadlines, editing support, and figuring out what kind of writer you are—pantser, plotter, or (as she learned from Lewis Jorstad) a “puzzler” who uses intuitive outlining to create direction without crushing creativity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And underneath all of it is a message writers need: finishing a book is often 90% mental. There really is a path for everybody—you just have to find the one that fits your brain, your life, and your season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if the “perfect” PTA mom had a secret life… this episode is for you. In today’s conversation on The Resilient Writers Radio Show, I’m joined by women’s suspense author Kendra Pecci, and we’re talking about her debut novel, Focus on Deception—a deliciously fun, high-stakes story set in a world of soccer games, fundraisers, and wine moms… with a twist. Kendra introduces us to Stella Meyers, a ...

Changing Genre in Revision, with Kendra Pecci

Welcome to the Resilient Writers Radio Show! This is the podcast for writers who want to create and sustain a writing life they love. It's for writers who love books, and everything that goes into the making of them. For writers who wanna learn and grow in their craft, and improve their writing skills. Writers who want to finish their books, and get them out into the world so their ideal readers can enjoy them, writers who wanna spend more time in that flow state, writers who want to connect with other writers to celebrate and be in community in this crazy roller coaster ride we call “the writing life.”&nbsp;

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