Lisa Roe and the Complex Lives of Mothers and Daughters

Lisa Roe steps into the lab with Kristi and Beth for a brainstorming session. First, we play a warm-up game called The Book Imposter, challenging Lisa to guess the real novel between two book descriptions. Then, the real experiment begins. Lisa picks a headline from three choices, one she remembers hearing about in recent news. Our brainstorming session begins. The scene becomes the opening for a mother-daughter story about healing old wounds and finding second chances. We discuss story structure as an opportunity to build fully imagined characters with redeeming qualities, moving back and forth in time, and how sometimes a love interest can heighten the stakes. Lisa is fast on her feet with ideas, specific details, and how a culminating moment can deliver a huge payoff for the reader. Meet Lisa Roe Lisa Roe graduated from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and spent many years as an advertising creative director and copywriter in New York City before she accepted the tougher job of stay-at-home mom and turned to writing fiction—mostly to entertain her kids, but then to tell her own stories. A classic first born, reluctant empty nester, and Dr. Doolittle wannabe, Lisa lives in New Jersey with her husband, David and three incorrigible dogs. She is the author of Welcome to the Neighborhood and Big & Lily. www.lisaroe.com Books Mentioned Lisa Roe, Big & Lily Lisa Roe, Welcome to the Neighborhood Sloane Crowley, Cult Classic Beth Uznis Johnson, “Deep Dark Tan” A short story in issue #46/47 of Story Quarterly. Join the experiment Visit our Prompt Incubator to share your ideas, write, or read what others are creating. Your work could be featured on a future episode. Where to Find Us Instagram: @plotlabpod Facebook: Plot Lab on Facebook Website & Prompt Incubator: Visit Plot Lab Plot Lab. From Spark to Story.