Ep.26: EDEN McKENZIE-GODDARD

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