Fiction Books vs. Nonfiction Books: Crafting Stories that Matter

In this fun episode, Carolyn Sherrow, an accomplished author with both nonfiction and fiction works under her belt talks with Valerie Morris. Carolyn shares her writing journey, discusses the deeply personal nature of her memoir "My Personal Holocaust," and offers insights into her upcoming fiction trilogy, "Dark Heritage."Key Highlights:Carolyn’s Writing Journey:Carolyn opens up about how years of life experiences and personal healing influenced her writing. She discusses her transition from caring for her mother to finally putting her story to paper.Memoir Challenges:Writing "My Personal Holocaust" was not only emotionally challenging, but also required courage to share her life publicly. Carolyn talks candidly about the mental blocks, vulnerability, and the healing she sought to offer survivors of trauma.Fiction vs. Nonfiction:Carolyn explains the process of writing fiction vs. nonfiction – how her personal experiences shaped both, and how fiction storytelling techniques kept her nonfiction engaging and relatable.Writing Habits & Craft:From daily writing routines to switching projects when stuck, Carolyn shares practical ways she stays productive. Research and character development are key parts of her process, especially when bringing stories set in places like Kenya to life.Trilogy Tips:Carolyn offers advice for anyone writing a trilogy – emphasizing careful timeline management, character arcs across books, and the importance of cliffhangers.Publishing Insights:She reveals lessons learned from working with a local publisher, the value of flexibility, honesty, and accountability in publishing, and recounts both positive and challenging interactions with editors and agents.Advice for Aspiring Writers:Carolyn’s standout advice: Start small. “You can write a chapter” — this simple mindset shift helps overcome overwhelm and sparks accomplishment.Where to Connect:Find Carolyn and her books at cordsofgrace.comWho Should Listen?Authors, aspiring writers, anyone navigating memoir or fiction writing, and those interested in publishing and creative habits.Notable Quotes:“My goal with writing that book was always to bring hope and healing to people, particularly other survivors.”“Sometimes you write a chapter and there’s a sense of accomplishment. It’s like, ‘Oh, I can go forward from here.’”"Books are like tattoos. Once you get one, you want to get another."Resources & Links:My Personal Holocaust BookConnect with Valerie MorrisBooks: We're All Ears: How to increase your impact, influence, and success online in a noisy worldLinkedIn: Weekly posts and updates from Valerie MorrisReserve your domain name or set up website hosting for your author website ​here​.Build your own marketing plan for your book launch with the ​Book Marketing Blueprint​.Rock your next interview with ​this guide​!