Ep.26: EDEN McKENZIE-GODDARD

SHOW NOTESHost 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 LappinOriginal theme music score copyright: Tom PooleyNavigating multi-generational stories that reflect the complexities of immigration and identityHow language, music, and personal experiences shape McKenzie-Goddard's storytellingThe role of empathy and emotional truth in portraying characters' inner worldsThe significance of the Windrush scandal in shaping the novel’s political and social themesWriting in multiple first-person voices to deepen character developmentThe creative process and how music influences the author's writing rhythmChallenges of balancing political themes with human storiesTimestamps00:00 - Introduction to Eden Mackenzie Goddard and Smalley01:33 - Eden reads from his novel, exploring themes of discomfort and language05:54 - Discussing the book’s connection with the Windrush scandal and its multi-generational scope08:48 - Film rights and themes of love and anger in the story11:40 - Personal stories of long-distance love and migration13:19 - The novel’s portrayal of unspoken responsibilities and internal conflicts14:17 - Exploring multiple narrative voices and character depth in Smalley17:35 - The importance of empathy in storytelling and understanding family pain20:12 - The immigrant experience and feeling of abandonment within families22:10 - Character complexity, especially Lucinda, and her struggles with language and identity24:46 - The theme of rebellion and the search for freedom through Lucinda’s journey26:08 - The impact of language and how it shapes self-perception and authenticity33:00 - The theme of aloneness and isolation within immigrant narratives36:05 - Addressing political issues through human stories, focusing on the Windrush scandal42:16 - The evolution of the story and Mc-Kenzie-Goddard's creative process over years44:14 - The creative milestone of writing the final scene and the story’s life force46:00 - Vision of SMALLIE adapted to film, highlighting visual storytellingResources & LinksSMALLIE by Eden Mackenzie Goddard (search for latest links)Nancy Wilson - Guess Who I Saw TodayConnect with Eden Mackenzie GoddardTwitterInstagramOfficial WebsiteAdditional 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.