An Empty Nest Chat With Fellow Author John Infortunio E156

John Infortunio writes about his father's Alzheimer's, and he chose fiction over memoir to do it. On this episode, he tells us why a character can hold what a memoir can't. John is a lifelong educator, a native Brooklynite, and the author of two novels drawn from his own life. We get into how he balances that authenticity with fiction, what actually happens in his editing process, and how growing up in a tight-knit Brooklyn neighborhood shaped the way he writes. He also talks about caretaking for his aging parents while raising his son, and what it took to stop comparing his son's twenties to his own. What's in this episode: Why John chose fiction over memoir for his father's Alzheimer's How he balances personal authenticity with writing fiction His editing process, what gets cut and what gets built up Growing up in a community-rich Brooklyn neighborhood Caretaking for his parents while raising his son and building a career Letting go of comparing his son's twenties to his own Watching his son grow into his own political and social views You can find John's books, Destroyed by the Events of the Day and Today Was Tomorrow, on Amazon https://link.amazon/B0dthUWCe (Amazon affiliate link), barnesandnoble.com, and Walmart.com. Follow him on Instagram @johninfortunio. 📖 Our book is here! The Loud Quiet – Love, Laughter and Life in the Empty Nest https://www.theloudquiet.com Distance, protection, and letting go show up in different ways in this one. Join the conversation in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet 🎧 Find all episodes, podcast apps, and YouTube links here: https://www.theloudquiet.com CHAPTERS 00:00 Why fiction, not memoir, for his father's Alzheimer's 02:58 Hiding behind characters for emotional protection 04:02 Balancing authenticity while still writing fiction 04:21 Editing as the real filter for truth 06:12 Trusting instinct instead of staying guarded 08:23 How teaching shaped his approach to writing 10:44 Growing up in a tight-knit Brooklyn community 14:57 Caretaking for aging parents while raising his son 22:06 Letting go of comparing his son's twenties to his own 25:19 Watching his son grow into social and political awareness 28:22 Healthy disagreement and pushback with grown kids Want to be a guest on The Loud Quiet - Empty Nest Living? Send Rick and Clancy Denton a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/theloudquiethost Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s)