The Stories That Shape Us

Some stories don’t tie themselves into a neat bow. They pull you backward through memory, family, and the moments you’d rather skip, until you finally see what shaped you. That’s why I wanted to sit down with Annie Dike, author of “Clovis”, a character-driven coming-of-age novel that’s raw, funny in places, and unflinching where it counts.We talk about what’s rooted in Annie’s real life and what becomes fiction, why the book opens with Callie in a hospital bed, and how childhood instability can echo into adult choices. Annie shares why she writes from multiple points of view and how stepping into a parent’s mind can change everything, especially when you’re trying to untangle trauma, identity, grief, and forgiveness. If you love literary fiction that feels emotionally true, this conversation digs into the craft behind that honesty.We also go beyond the page. Annie explains how she built a law career that supports writing and travel, why she moved away from defending corporations, and what it’s like to work behind the scenes as an attorney. Then we get into sailing, cruising life, and the surprising truth that the ocean isn’t always the scariest part, sometimes it’s being alone with your own thoughts.If this hit home, subscribe to Virago 24/7, share the episode with a friend who loves powerful women’s stories, and leave a five-star review so more listeners can find us. What line from a book has ever made you stop and rethink your life?https://anniedikeauthor.com/Send us Fan MailGo to my website http://www.virago247.net for all things Virago 24/7You can email me at [email protected]: virago24_7Facebook: Virago 24/7Thanks for listening and don't forget to share, share, share! Everyday growth, everyday healing with everyday warriors!Music by Deli Rowe: "Space to Move"Logo by Kaylin Talley