The NoNaMe StoryTeller Podcast

In this episode of the NoNaMe Storyteller Podcast, guest co-host Nicole Caron joins us for a conversation with author Martha Conway about her new novel, We Meet Apart, her writing process, and the importance of community in a writer’s life.Martha, who grew up surrounded by sisterly relationships as one of six sisters, discusses how those formative experiences shape her fiction, often centered on complex sister dynamics. Together, she and Nicole explore finding the emotional core of a story, uncovering the deeper “why” behind the work, and writing with both intuition and intention.The conversation also dives into craft: keeping the reader immersed without “knocking them out” of the story, holding structure loosely while drafting, and trusting the process. Martha shares her evolving approach, including handwriting first drafts, reading her work aloud, and using research as a gateway to story discovery.At the heart of the episode is a powerful reminder: claim your identity as a writer—say it out loud.If you’re interested in writing craft, historical fiction, creative process, or building a sustainable writing life, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and practical perspective.www.marthaconway.comKeywords: Williams Carlos Williams, Kylo Ren, Patterson, Adam Driver, Forward Writing Retreats (Chamonix and Arcachon), historical fiction, magical realism, signs and signifiers, genre fiction, 12 Bliss Street (Edgar Award nominee), Sarah Orne Jewett, world building, sensitivity reader, dialect, research, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, Jennifer Egan's Manhattan Beach, William Faulkner, Huckleberry Finn, Toni Morrison's Beloved, cultural sensitivity reader, blocking out scenes, Hills Like White Elephants, verisimilitude, "It Takes a Village to Write a Novel", vulnerability, authenticity, Kauai Writers Retreat, Shawn Coyne's The Story Grid, Stephen King, Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius, Ann Patchett, Ruth Stone, what if nazi's invaded Ireland?, Operation Green, the magic of creativity, leaving markers so you can get back to the trail head, craft books, Brian WedlakeEnigma by Kevin MacLeod is licensedunder a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠license⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100241Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In the Series 5 premiere of the NoNaMe Storyteller Podcast, sci-fi author Macaulay Christian joins host Aki and co-host Al to explore the origins of his space opera.Inspired by Star Trek: The Next Generation, Macaulay dives into themes of politics, identity, and what it means to be a people, culture, and civilization. He shares his approach to worldbuilding, discovering the story as he writes, and building a universe from Holindrian to Children of Eternity. When he gets stuck, he leans on a trusted circle—his father, best friend, and wife—proving that great stories are rarely created alone.With no formal training beyond a high school creative writing class, Macaulay’s journey shows that anyone can start writing their own story.Audio Sample of Chapter Two from Children of EternityKeywords: The Killer Angels, Tolkien, The Silmarillion, Isaac Asimov, Foundation, Mistborn series, military sci-fi, Halo novels, Starship Troopers, submarine warfare, tachyon particles, space magic, Neil Asher, Christopher Nolan, George Lucas, Akira Kurosawa, Reedsy, Kristy Gilbert, Brandon Sanderson, Spoken Press, Free Minds PublicationsMacaulay Christian is represented by Sphinx Group PR. For 25 years, Sphinx has built trust through storytelling—helping clients across industries connect with the communities that matter most. Led by Lys Fulda, a master in branding and content strategy, Sphinx PR crafts narratives that elevate brands and shape legacies. How are you telling your story? Let Sphinx PR help you find the answers you seek. Learn more at sphinxpr.com.Enigma by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠license⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100241Artist: http://incompetech.com/