Hey ya'll! If you liked this show, be sure to check out Stirred By Words: Meditations and Conversations About Writing and Wellness. I'm no longer actively publishing Nature of Author episodes, but it merged into my other show. Come check it out!

In this last episode of Season 2 of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Allison Hong Merrill, author of Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops: A Memoir. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker related to nature and one question related to writing.

Allison's memoir, Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops, is all about the power of choice. The book starts when she was fifteen-year-old, unwilling to bend to the conditioning of her Chinese culture, which demands that women submit to men's will. She disobeys her father's demand to stay in their faith tradition, Buddhism and instead joins the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then, six years later, she drops out of college to serve a mission--a decision for which her father disowns her.

After serving her mission in Taiwan, twenty-two-year-old Allison marries her Chinese-speaking American boyfriend, Cameron Chastain. But sixteen months later, Allison returns home to their Texas apartment and is shocked to discover that, in her two-hour absence, Cameron has taken all the money, moved out, and filed for divorce. Desperate for love and acceptance, Allison moves to Utah and enlists in an imaginary, unforgiving dating war against the bachelorettes at Brigham Young University, where the rules don't make sense--and winning isn't what she thought it would be.

Throughout the episode, Allison and Chrissy talk about how to stay positive through adversity, what guided her decision to break traditions and create her own destiny, what gravitated her toward memoir, and what inspires Allison to write.

Near the end, Allison reads two of her favorite paragraphs. Be sure to check out Ninety-Nine Fire Hoops: A Memoir and connect with Allison Hong Merrill.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

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Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to the sixth episode of Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this episode of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Jennifer Zollo, author of When Grief Gets a Passport: Lessons Learned About Grief & Healing Through Solo Female Travel. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker game related to nature and travel and then asks one question related to writing.

Jennifer's memoir, When Grief Gets a Passport, is about when Jennifer, just 19 years old,  was tasked with caring for her grandmother in her final days of battling lung cancer. Six days after her grandmother's passing, she would be left dealing with the aftermath of a murder-suicide that took the life of her only remaining family member, leaving a young woman alone in the world.

When Grief Gets a Passport tells the tale of how solo female travel allowed Jennifer to heal from a traumatic event that most people cannot even imagine. From accidentally needing to navigate down an ice-covered mountain in a car without the four-wheel drive to having a breakdown while simply painting a wall, there are lessons to be learned in all aspects of life. Follow along as Jennifer learns lessons about grief, healing, and strength as she collects passport stamps on a quest to rediscover the woman she always dreamed of being.

Throughout the episode, Jennifer and Chrissy talk about the five stages of grief, how to overcome challenges that grief brings, the writing process, advice on becoming a best-selling author, overcoming knowing when to stop writing, and the greater purpose in her writing.

Then they talk about what she gets out of solo travel and her top tips, and the mindset around traveling and trips, and Jennifer's top travel place: the Galápagos Islands, and her community, the Solo Female Travel Club.  Near the end, Jennifer reads one of her favorite paragraphs. Be sure to check out Dear When Grief Gets a Passport and connect with Jennifer Zollo.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to the fifth episode of Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this episode of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Martina Clark, author of My Unexpected Life.  Chrissy starts with an icebreaker related to nature and one question related to writing.

Martina's memoir, My Unexpected Life, is about her journey getting tested positive for HIV and launching herself into activism, leading her to work for the United Nations.  She unexpectedly fell into an international career, starting as the first openly HIV-positive person to work for UNAIDS.

A mix of personal memoir, travel, humor, and an up-close look at the squishy underbelly of the United Nations, this book follows her personal emotional and physical journey interwoven with her professional path.  Martina's memoir adds an insider's view to the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Throughout, she draws parallels to the COVID pandemic, reflecting on her experiences as she journeys through life with an incurable illness, a well-stamped passport, and a stubborn determination that keeps her alive to bear witness to the human condition.

Throughout the episode, Martina and Chrissy talk about what keeps Martina determined and motivated to live life, teaching English 101 and social justice, advice for getting started in activism, and Martina's favorite part of the writing craft. We discussed overcoming challenging parts of the writing process, memoir vs. fiction, travel writing and awards, public health and HIV, and listening to other people's stories.

Near the end, Martina reads two of her favorite paragraphs from her memoir. Be sure to check out My Unexpected Life and connect with Martina Clark.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to the fourth episode of Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this episode of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Heidi Parker Colonna, author of Dear Gretchen: Letters to My Dog. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker related to nature and one question related to writing.

Heidi's memoir, Dear Gretchen: Letters to My Dog, is about how she set out to reconnect with her kindred spirit, Shepherd mix Gretchen, asking for a sign from nature to validate that she is safe and well. One visit back to the grave provides a chance for Gretchen to answer Heidi's call in a much clearer way, erasing grief and ushering in a new understanding of death- exactly what is needed to go on with life. This book is a balm for pet owners struggling to accept a beloved pet's death. While mourners often feel like it's the end, Colonna's story demonstrates that our pets never say goodbye.

Throughout the episode, Heidi and Chrissy talk about going through and coping with grief, writing letters, her writing journey, advice to aspiring writers, her favorite books, her writing process, and how the Gretchen miracle changed her life. They also talk about how to grieve a pet, why she wrote this story in memoir vs. fictionalized, and what our pets would say if they could write letters.

Near the end, Heidi reads two of her favorite paragraphs. Be sure to check out Dear Gretchen: Letters to My Dog and connect with Heidi Parker Colonna.

Want to learn more about the world of writers? Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform. Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests? Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com. 

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to the third episode of Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this episode of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Christine Reed, author of Alone in Wonderland. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker game related to nature and one question related to writing.

Christine's award-winning memoir, Alone in Wonderland, is an adventure memoir. Christine discovered long-distance backpacking while surfing the internet at work. She decided that day to attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. One adventure led to another, and a few years later, she set out on the Wonderland Trail in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Throughout the episode, Christine and Chrissy talk about writing, backpacking, community, independence vs. loneliness, the writing and self-publishing process, and her future memoir. Midway through the episode, Christine reads a favorite line, often quoted through messaging from her readers.

Christine and Chrissy continue the conversation and discuss how Christine is reinventing herself,  advice to get into outdoor communities, and imposter syndrome. Be sure to check out Alone in Wonderland and connect with Christine Reed.

Want to learn more about the world of writers? Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform. Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests? Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com. 

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to the second episode of Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this episode in Season 2 of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Carolyn Lee Arnold, author of Fifty First Dates After Fifty. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker related to nature and another one related to writing.

Carolyn's memoir, Fifty First Dates After Fifty, is about finding Mr. Right and how it becomes a sexy dating project. Set in the SF Bay Area world of personal growth workshops and spiritual ceremonies, Carolyn's award-winning memoir traces the adventurous path of her universal quest for love.

The goal of fifty pulls her forward through the highs and lows of dating—magical and ecstatic, pining and painful—while her heart soars, falls, and keeps on going. Buoyed by her dating project, she avoids settling for the wrong guy, discovers the type of man she wants, reconciles a love of independence and sex with her desire for commitment and emotional connection, and finds the unique partner for her.

Throughout the episode, Carolyn and Chrissy discuss Carolyn's writing journey, writing classes and feedback, relationships and dating, the reason behind her title, and what inspires her to write. They ponder why sex is taboo and talk about book awards, the writing craft, the key to a successful relationship, and more.

Carolyn then reads two of her favorite lines. Be sure to check out Fifty First Dates After Fifty and connect with  Carolyn Lee Arnold.

Want to learn more about the world of writers? Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform. Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests? Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com. 

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Welcome to Season 2! This season is all about memoirs.

In this first episode in Season 2 of The Nature Of Authors, Chrissy interviews Laurie Easter, author of All The Leavings. Chrissy starts with an icebreaker related to nature and another one related to writing.

Laurie's memoir, All The Leavings, is a collection of essays about a young woman becoming a mother early and moving to be off the grid. It explores love and risk: giving birth in a rustic cabin; the destructive power of wildfires; losing friends to cancer, AIDS, suicide, and meth; encounters with birds and mountain lions; and the unthinkable potential loss of a child to illness.

Throughout the episode, Laurie and Chrissy discuss how to get through adversity and suffering, writing memoirs and creative nonfiction versus other genres, and the writing and revising process. Laurie then reads a line that gets at the heart of her memoir.  We continue the conversation about writing form (narrative, braided, or mosaic essays, the form of a crossword puzzle, hermit crab essays, and more.) and writing prompts.

Laurie then reads another one of her favorite paragraphs. Chrissy and Laurie finish the conversation with what it's like to live off the grid.  Be sure to check out All The Leavings and connect with Laurie Easter.

Want to learn more about the world of writers? Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform. Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests? Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com. 

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.

Want to learn more about the world of writers?

• Subscribe to "The Nature Of Authors" on your favorite podcast platform

Have a burning question you'd like to ask upcoming guests?

• Reach out at www.chrissyholm.com

Until next time, keep reading, writing, spending time in nature, and dreaming up new worlds, my friend.