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SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS

By: Elena Lappin
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Host Elena Lappin in conversation with leading and emerging authors about the stories behind their books.

Publicity: Katherine Stroud

Audio producer: Tom Pooley

Original music score copyright: Tom Pooley

Email: shoptalk.writers@gmail.com

Instagram: @shoptalkwithwriters

Newsletter: /s/shop-talk-with-writers-newsletter

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Elena Lappin Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Ep. 27: LILY KING

    Ep. 27: LILY KING
    Jun 21 2026
    Discover how acclaimed novelist Lily King uses emotional journeys and present tense to craft authentic, compelling stories. In this episode, Lily King discusses her writing process, the emotional core of her novels, and her reflections on love, life, and how her experiences shape her storytelling.Main Topics:How Lily King channels emotion into her novels, using her personal hospital experiences as inspirationThe significance of writing in present tense to capture immediacy and raw feelingsThe relationship between life events and her fictional worlds, especially in Heart the Lover and Writers and LoversThe depiction of love as a multifaceted and ongoing journey beyond traditional notionsLily’s unique writing process, using spiral notebooks, timelines, and revisionsThe impact of technology, especially the absence of phones in earlier stories, on character interactions and storytellingTimestamps: 00:00 - Lily King shares her approach to capturing emotion in her stories 00:27 - The purpose of creating emotional vessels within her novels 0:43 - Introduction to Lily King and her acclaimed works 1:40 - Reading from Heart the Lover and the novel’s emotional backdrop 2:09 - The scene of a writer’s professional and personal intrusion 2:38 - Lily’s portrayal of her character’s emotional breakdown during a lecture 3:07 - The relationship with Ray Hart and the power of unexpected praise 4:32 - The significance of past trauma, vulnerability, and crying in her writing 5:27 - Front-stage versus backstage emotional management in her novels 6:28 - Reflection on her visit to London and the hotel’s history 8:15 - The honor of being shortlisted for the Women’s Prize 9:16 - The intertwining of writing and life in Heart the Lover 10:16 - Balancing life’s challenges with the act of writing 11:47 - How characters’ emotional reactions reveal deeper themes and gender differences 12:24 - The emotional processing styles of male versus female writers 14:46 - The recurring theme of recovery and internalization in her protagonists 15:42 - The stylistic choice of present tense and its emotional impact 17:19 - The role of emotion in the initial inspiration for her novels 19:04 - Surprising character connections and their influence on her storytelling 20:18 - Reading Writers and Lovers after Heart the Lover – insights into narrative freedom 22:20 - The emotional toll of her writing process, especially in the final scene 23:55 - Creating realistic characters and complex love relationships 26:02 - Broader definitions of love and its continuance through different relationships 27:43 - Her relationship with readers and the importance of honesty 29:49 - Lily’s writing routine, notebook notes, and revision process 31:07 - Visual aids like sketches and timelines helping her craft stories 32:38 - Transition from handwritten notes to typed drafts, intensive editing process 34:23 - How technological shifts from the 1980s to today affect storytelling and communication 35:50 - Why Lily King writes: to explore and express her feelings 36:32 - Closing thoughts and where to find more from Lily KingResources & Links:Heart the Lover (check for latest edition)Writers and Lovers (check for latest edition)Women’s Prize for FictionLily King - Official WebsiteConnect with Lily King:TwitterInstagramSHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins
  • Ep.26: EDEN McKENZIE-GODDARD

    Ep.26: EDEN McKENZIE-GODDARD
    May 8 2026

    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.

    Copyright: Elena Lappin

    Original theme music score copyright: Tom Pooley


    • 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.



    SHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.

    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • Ep.25: SHARON GLESS

    Ep.25: SHARON GLESS
    Apr 10 2026
    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’ divorceHow acting served as a form of self-preservation and identityThe motivation behind her memoir and its themes of honesty and humourDifferences between acting roles and writing about her own lifeThe significance of her role in pioneering TV roles for women in the 70s and 80sInsights into her process of developing characters and backstoriesThe importance of active listening, both in acting and lifePersonal reflections on feeling like an outsider and the power of self-acceptanceBehind-the-scenes stories from "Cagney and Lacey," including collaboration on scriptsHer experiences living and working in London and her love for the cityThe dynamic relationship with her co-star Tyne Daly and their off-screen bondThe influence of her grandmother and family on her life and careerHer thoughts on the evolution of television storytelling and female representationHer outlook on the future and embracing new roles and identitiesTimestamps: 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 GlessSharon Gless - IMDbUniversal Studios Official SiteAudible - Apparently There Were ComplaintsstagramOfficial WebsiteSHOP TALK WITH WRITERS is a unique conversation with each author, about the stories behind their books.Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to find out more about each episode, and to engage with our conversations with authors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
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