Writing Older Characters & Stories of Second Chances with Anna Johnston

This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer is joined by author Anna Johnston to discuss her new novel, When Lemons Give You Life, a charming and heartwarming story that will lift your spirits, remind you to appreciate the time you have, and leave you believing in the power of forgiveness and second chances. Anna and Jennifer talk about writing older characters whose lives are still filled with possibility, the connection between food and memory, LGBTQ+ representation in aged care, and how Anna’s own experience working with older adults has shaped both of her novels. This is a conversation filled with warmth and hope that will leave you thinking differently about aging. It’s also a beautiful reminder to appreciate the people we love while we still have time with them, to lead with kindness, and remain open to the second chances life can bring. In This EpisodeThe connection between food & memory The LGBTQ+ experience in aging & aged care Balancing humor with heavier themes  Pivoting from medical school to aged care The importance of writing older charactersHow Anna’s grandfather inspired her debut Navigating imposter syndrome while writing book two Meet Anna JohnstonAnna Johnston lives by the beach in Melbourne with her husband and daughters. She left medical school to develop an award-winning cooking program for older widowed men before following her heart into her grandfather’s nursing home, where she worked as the activities coordinator. She is the author of the international bestseller The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife.Connect with Anna  www.annajohnstonauthor.com Instagram @annajohnstonauthor Books  Books mentioned in this episode:When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston  The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna JohnstonSTAY CONNECTED The Literary LoungeFollow and subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss a new conversation. Continue the conversation by subscribing to The Literary Lounge on Substack, delivered every Sunday and featuring:The Guest Book (extended guest Q&A)The Bookshop (a featured independent bookstore) Recommended readsLiterary discoveries and behind-the-scenes updates Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co Jennifer CashHost, Creator, Producer & Editor of The Literary Lounge Instagram: @readwithjennifer