The House of Plain Truth with Donna Hemans

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews Donna Hemans, the author of The House of Plain Truth. Michelle and Donna discuss Donna's journey from being a journalist to becoming an author. They delve into the inspiration behind Donna's latest book, her writing process, and how she incorporates aspects of her Jamaican heritage into her stories. Donna also shares her unique hobby of ceramics, particularly making teapots. What we’re talking about Donna's writing process involves a non-linear approach, moving around different parts of her story until it all comes together. Family history and personal experiences can significantly influence an author's writing. Beyond writing, hobbies like ceramics can provide a creative outlet and contribute to an author's overall creativity. Donna's Writing Process  Donna shares that her writing process does not follow a linear path. Instead, she moves around within her story, writing different sections as they come to her. She prefers the surprise element of letting the story unfold as she writes rather than outlining it beforehand. This approach provides a unique perspective on creative writing and shows that there isn't a 'one-size-fits-all' method. Influence of Family History and Personal Experiences  Donna's Jamaican heritage and family history significantly impact her writing. She pulls from her life and community when writing her stories, adding authenticity and relatability to her work. Her latest book, The House of Plain Truth, was inspired by her grandparents' story, demonstrating the power of personal history in storytelling. Hobbies Beyond Writing  Ceramics, specifically making teapots, is a hobby that Donna picked up, which provides her with a creative outlet outside of writing. It's interesting to see how writers can have passions outside their main profession that still enhance their creativity and can even influence their work.   LINKS MENTIONED Donna Hemans’ Website https://www.donnahemans.com/  The House of Plain Truth by Donna Hemans https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-house-of-plain-truth-donna-hemans/19712258?ean=9798986241814  Zibby Books https://www.zibbyowens.com/zibby-books