Friday Conversation | Ep 136: Stephanie Vasquez - The War on Drugs: A Complex Narrative

In this episode, Stephanie Vasquez joins us to discuss her debut novel All Our Wars, delving into themes of family, violence, and the layered complexities surrounding the war on drugs. With a background in journalism, Stephanie explains how her investigative approach influenced the novel's structure and narrative, helping her navigate sensitive topics like immigration, cartel violence, and human resilience. She shares her thoughts on avoiding harmful stereotypes in storytelling, ensuring that violence doesn't dominate the narrative, and the emotional challenges of researching such a fraught subject.We also explore her publishing journey, discussing the hurdles faced and the persistence required to bring her story to life. Stephanie provides insight into her thoughts on the growing role of AI in writing, questioning its impact on authenticity and creativity. On a lighter note, she shares personal anecdotes about her family's recipes, reflecting on how traditions and first jobs shaped her sense of identity.Find Stephanie here: https://www.stephanievasquezauthor.com/Chapters00:00Introduction to Stephanie Vasquez and Her Journey03:00Exploring the Themes of 'All Our Wars'05:56The Balance of Violence and Storytelling09:04Navigating the War on Drugs11:58Addressing Stereotypes and Representation14:58The Challenges of Research and Authenticity18:07The Complexity of the War on Drugs20:59Publishing Journey and the Query Process23:45The Role of AI in Writing and Publishing26:59Personal Reflections and Family Recipes30:01The Human Connection and Immigration Issues33:01Final Thoughts and Future AspirationsSend us a message (I'm not able to reply)Support the showPage Chewing BlogPage Chewing ForumFilm Chewing PodcastSpeculative Speculations Podcast Support the podcast via PayPalSupport the show by using our Amazon Affiliate linkJoin Riverside.fm Co-Hosts:JarrodVarsha ChrisJoseCarl D. Albert (author)Thomas J. Devens (author)Alex French (author)Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)