The Illogical Adventure - on Kobo
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Writing The Illogical Adventure focuses on the craft challenges and ethical questions involved in co‑writing a memoir with two distinct voices. Rebecca continues her conversation with James MacDuff, who—alongside his wife, Mirriam Mweemba—coauthored The Illogical Adventure. What began as James’s solo MFA writing project about travel evolved into a shared memoir when he realized the story only worked if it fully included Mirriam’s perspective.
James describes the collaborative process they developed to protect authenticity and trust: recorded interviews, drafting in Mirriam’s own words, and an iterative editing workflow that allowed her to set clear boundaries around privacy. He reflects on how feedback from mentors and early readers shaped the book’s structure, helping them balance the two voices and gradually weave them together as their lives converged. The episode also explores the emotional labour of memoir—deciding what to disclose, how to portray family and friends fairly, and whether the work is worth the personal cost when publication is uncertain.
The conversation closes with a practical look at publishing, as James explains how a local creative nonfiction prize offered a realistic, accessible path from manuscript to book—underscoring the importance of small presses in bringing new voices into the world.

• (00:38) - Chapter 01

The Illogical Adventure - on Kobo
The Illogical Adventure - on Amazon

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In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Halifax lawyer and lifelong traveler James McDuff about the extraordinary love story at the heart of The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate, which he co‑wrote with his wife, Mirriam Mweeba. James recounts how a chance encounter in Cape Town at the end of an ambitious voyage led to a long‑distance relationship shaped by travel, cultural exchange, and timing, and how the COVID‑19 pandemic—rather than pulling them apart—accelerated their commitment. Through stories of meeting Mirriam’s family in Zambia, navigating lockdowns, proposing abroad, marrying during a global crisis, and eventually building a family in Canada, the episode explores how a single, illogical decision can quietly redirect an entire life.

• (00:35) - Chapter 01

South Away - Amazon link
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Shifting Gears - Amazon link
Shifting Gears - Kobo Link

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In this episode of Definitely Not Famous, host Rebecca Hogue interviews Meaghan Hackinen, an ultra-distance cyclist and author of two memoirs, South Away and Shifting Gears. Meaghan shares how her cycling journey began with a solo ride along British Columbia's Highway of Tears at age 24, evolved through cycle touring the Pacific Coast with her sister, and eventually led her into the male-dominated world of ultra-distance bike racing — including winning the 2024 Tour Divide. She reflects on what it means to be a woman in adventure sports, the importance of female representation in storytelling, and how vulnerability on the road often invites unexpected generosity from strangers. Meaghan also discusses her writing journey, from typing blog posts in public libraries to completing an MFA and publishing two books, emphasizing the role of community support — including her "Beta Babes" readers — in building her confidence as a writer. Her advice to aspiring writers: write, share your story, and find your people.

• (01:18) - Chapter 01

Educator and advocate Marian Dodds joins host Rebecca J. Hogue to discuss Tizita — A Memoir of Perseverance and Enchantment, tracing her path from second‑wave feminist organizing in the BC Teachers’ Federation to three years volunteering with CUSO in Ethiopia. She reflects on the status‑of‑women work that reshaped classrooms and contracts, the challenge of transliteration in place names, and the sensory tapestry behind the book’s title—from the soothing melodies of tizita drifting out of Addis cafés to the smells of coffee ceremonies and fresh injera that still transport her back.
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• (00:44) - Chapter 01

Buy Louisbourg or Bust on Amazon.
Buy Captain Solitude on Amazon.
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In this episode, Rebecca J. Hogue sits down with RC Shaw (Ryan Shaw), author of Louisbourg or Bust and Captain Solitude, to explore the adventurous and reflective world of memoir writing. Ryan shares how honesty and vulnerability shape his stories of bikepacking and surfing along Nova Scotia’s rugged coastline, and how he balances openness with his role as a school librarian. The conversation dives into themes of solitude, free camping, and unexpected encounters—including psychic mediums and the ghost of legendary sailor Joshua Slocum.

Ryan also reveals his unique writing process, from drafting longhand to collaborating with editors, and discusses the challenges of crafting authentic dialogue. The episode offers insights into the publishing journey, the evolution of book titles, and the stories left on the cutting room floor. Looking ahead, Ryan teases his next epic adventure: a walking trek across Newfoundland with his dog, a surfboard, and a copy of King Lear, blending travel, history, and literature. He even hints at a future leap into fiction. This conversation is a deep dive into creativity, risk-taking, and the art of living—and writing—more extra than ordinary.

• (00:05) - Introduction to R.C. Shaw

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In this episode of Definitely Not Famous, host Rebecca Hogue interviews Janet Lee, co‑author of Always Ask for Help, a memoir about Arnie Stewart, an adult who lived most of his life unable to read or write. The conversation traces Arnie’s extraordinary journey from a childhood marked by poverty, hunger, and shame in Cobalt, Ontario, to adulthood where he survived through ingenuity, bluffing, and resilience.

Janet first encountered Arnie when he spoke to her high‑school literacy students. His honesty and vulnerability captivated the room — and inspired one student living in a car to finally ask for help. That moment led Janet to promise Arnie she would help him tell his story.

Together, they spoke to 72 audiences, teaching students the power of vulnerability and the importance of literacy. Janet developed a structured “before, during, and after” approach for schools, helping students engage deeply with Arnie’s message. She also created the Arnie Card, a tool that allows people to silently signal when they need help — now used not only in schools but in local businesses.

Janet describes the emotional and technical challenges of writing the book with Arnie, capturing his voice, and editing hours of imperfect audio. She also shares her own struggle with asking for help, including a painful experience with a writers’ group that nearly derailed the project.

Now, more than 22 years after she first met Arnie, Janet is expanding the project into a documentary film, using animations based on drawings created by students who heard Arnie speak. She sees this as the medium that will finally reach the people Arnie most wanted to help — those with low literacy.

The episode closes with Janet’s advice for memoir writers: choose a topic you’re passionate about, allow others to help you, and keep going even when the journey feels impossible. 

• (00:06) - Introduction to Arnie's Story

Welcome to Definitely Not Famous: More Extra than Ordinary. I’m Rebecca Hogue, the producer and host for this podcast. My goal with Definitely Not Famous is to elevate and promote memoir authors who have More Extra than Ordinary stories to tell. 

If you want to recommend an author for me to interview, or you are an author and want me to interview you, there are forms available on the Definitely Not Famous website.

Thank you – I hope you enjoy the show!