172: A Life in Novels - Interview with Kathleen Hill

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting author Kathleen Hill on the show! Kathleen teaches in the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College, and has also taught and lived in the country of Niger which is also where her debut novel Still Waters in Niger is set. Her debut received many accolades including being named a notable book by the New York and Los Angeles Times. Kathleen is also the author of the novel Who Occupies This House, and now of the memoir She Read to us in the Late Afternoons: A Life in Novels. Listen in as we discuss Kathleen's latest book and how to make the shift from fiction to memoir. In this episode Kathleen and I discuss: Writing literal truth versus emotional truth and when to use both. How to work around constraints of reality in fiction vs. memoir. Ways to tackle "blind spots" of your characters when using an "I" narrator. How to use certain language to make your memoir feel like a novel. Tips on finding your memoir's hook, and weaving a narrative through your life. Plus, Kathleen's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/172