True Fiction Project

Memoir writing blurs the line between truth and imagination in this revealing conversation with Lily MacKenzie. We explore how creative writing techniques shape both fiction narrative and personal stories, as Lily explains her unique approach: "you lie in the service of the truth." The prolific author, with works published in over 170 venues, teaches writing dialogue, narrative structure, and storytelling techniques at the University of San Francisco's Fromm Institute for older adults. Discover why age matters, and doesn't matter, in the writing community, and what connects memoir to traditional storytelling. Hear an excerpt from Freefall: A Divine Comedy where Tilly, an installation artist approaching 60, confronts her anxieties about aging and finances in San Francisco.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How memoir writing employs storytelling techniques identical to fiction, including writing dialogue that reconstructs past conversations through imagination in writing and memory recreation.

Why traditional narrative structure rules can be broken in favor of fragmented, non-chronological approaches that create compelling conversations between different life stages.

The distinction, or lack thereof, between memoir writing and historical fiction, and how both genres recreate time periods through similar creative writing processes.

How the writing community serves older adults by providing audience, connection, and purpose while preserving family legacies through literary arts.

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Memoir writing and the concept of lying in the service of truth with creative writing techniques

03:30 Does age affect readership and character development in novels featuring women over 60

05:51 Why writing community and memoir writing appeal to older demographics seeking legacy preservation

07:07 Exploring narrative structure and making a comparison to historical fiction

10:58 Inspiration behind the Freefall: A Divine Comedy novel about four women writers reuniting in Whistler and Venice

15:09 Reading excerpt from Freefall: A Divine Comedy featuring installation artist Tilly confronting aging and financial anxiety

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Memoir writing succeeds by "lying in the service of truth," using creative writing techniques like scene construction, imagery, and writing dialogue to recreate authentic experiences from imperfect memory recreation.

Narrative structure doesn't require chronological order or traditional story arcs; fragmented approaches can create powerful juxtapositions between life stages, allowing pieces to "talk to each other or clash."

Writing community for older adults serves multiple purposes beyond skill development, creating audiences for each other's stories and fostering connections through shared memoir writing experiences.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Lily Iona MacKenzie has published poetry, essays, and short stories in over 170 venues. She’s also published four novels: Fling!, Curva Peligrosa, Free Fall: A Divine Comedy, and The Ripening: A Canadian Girl Grows Up, a sequel to Free Fall and two poetry collections: All This and California Dreaming. Shanti Arts Publishing released her hybrid memoir Dreaming Myself into Old Age: One Woman’s Search for Meaning on 9/19/23. She blogs at http://lilyionamackenzie.com and teaches creative writing at the University of San Francisco's Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning.

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Lily MacKenzie - Website

Lily MacKenzie - LinkedIn

Lily MacKenzie - Facebook

Lily MacKenzie - Business Facebook

Lily MacKenzie - Twitter

Lily MacKenzie - Instagram

Free Fall - A Divine Comedy - Website 

Middle-grade historical fiction meets women in science in this inspiring episode! In this episode we welcome Michele Hollow, author of the novel Jurassic Girl, a biographical fiction about Mary Anning, the remarkable 12-year-old fossil hunter who discovered an ichthyosaur in 1811. Despite being poor, female, and self-educated, Mary triumphed over the dismissive men of the Geological Society. Michele shares her journey from animal writing and wildlife conservation journalism to crafting this middle-grade biography, discussing her research at the Lyme Regis museum and the challenges of writing historical research with authentic dialogue. Tune in to hear an excerpt from Jurassic Girl where young Mary visits Elizabeth Philpot's library for the first time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How Michele Hollow discovered the story of Mary Anning, the pioneering fossil hunter who made groundbreaking discoveries in paleontology despite facing gender and class barriers in 1811

The process of transforming journalism skills into middle-grade historical fiction writing, including researching Lyme Regis and the Geological Society archives to create authentic biographical fiction

Why Mary Anning was dismissed by male scientists of her time and how she persisted in her fossil hunting work along the dangerous cliffs of England's Jurassic Coast

Michele's background in animal writing and wildlife conservation, from childhood classes at the Bronx Zoo to writing a middle-grade biography about the Grateful Dead

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 - Michele Hollow shares her work: animal writing, wildlife conservation, and middle-grade historical fiction

02:19 - Michele's childhood passion for animals, from the Bronx Zoo zoology classes to volunteering at Central Park Zoo and learning about wildlife

05:03 Michele discusses her experiences writing about the Grateful Dead

07:42 - Discovering Mary Anning, the 12-year-old fossil hunter who found an ichthyosaur in Lyme Regis in 1811, despite being dismissed by the Geological Society

10:12 - Research process for Jurassic Girl, including connecting with the Lyme Regis museum and studying Mary Anning's life through biographical fiction sources

14:32 - Excerpt from Jurassic Girl where Mary Anning visits Elizabeth Philpot's library and discusses fossil hunting and paleontology discoveries

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Mary Anning overcame extraordinary obstacles as a poor, self-educated 12-year-old girl in 1811 to make groundbreaking fossil hunting discoveries that changed our understanding of prehistoric life, yet faced dismissal from the male-dominated Geological Society

Michele Hollow demonstrates how journalism skills translate powerfully to middle-grade historical fiction, using research abilities to uncover details about Lyme Regis, museum archives, and Mary Anning's life while creating authentic dialogue for biographical fiction

Jurassic Girl brings women in science history to young readers, showing how Mary Anning's persistence and passion for paleontology paved the way for future scientists despite the gender barriers of her time

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Michele C. Hollow writes about health, pets and wildlife, climate, and lifestyle. Her byline has appeared in The New York Times, Next Avenue, The Guardian, Parents, AARP, and The Costco Connection. She's the author of The Everything Guide to Working with Animals (Adams Media) and a middle-grade biography of the Grateful Dead (Enslow Publishing).

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Michele C. Hollow - LinkedIn

Michele C. Hollow - Facebook

Michele C. Hollow - Website

Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning, Paleontologist and the First Female Fossil Hunter (Dinosaur books for kids 8–12): Hollow, Michele C.

What is a cozy mystery? Author Lori Pollard-Johnson joins host Reenita Hora to discuss her mystery book, Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage. This episode explores the cozy mystery genre and Lori discusses fiction writing, creative writing processes, and how contemporary mystery fiction blends genres. Her protagonists are divorced best friends running a house flipping business, discovering mystery and mayhem in unexpected places. Learn about cozy mystery authors, mystery novel writing, and the importance of sisterhood in mystery genre storytelling. Then, listen to the fiction read to hear how the protagonist discovers a waterlogged corpse hidden inside a closet aquarium while renovating a 1920s craftsman cottage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

Discover what defines a cozy mystery and how violence stays off the page while maintaining compelling mystery elements and engaging dead body scenarios in cozy crime fiction.

Learn the importance of crafting strong female friendships in women's fiction, including how divorced protagonists support each other through house flipping adventures and mystery solving.

Gain insights into the mystery novel writing process, from finding inspiration in real-world food critics and chefs to developing small-town mystery settings that keep readers engaged without graphic cozy mystery violence.

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 The cozy mystery genre, violence occurs off the page in cozy crime fiction

02:15 Lori's fiction writing journey from periodicals to mystery books, including culinary mystery and women's fiction projects

03:28 Defining a cozy mystery and a culinary mystery inspired by working with chefs 

06:32 The importance of female friendship and sisterhood themes in contemporary mystery fiction and cozy mystery storytelling

10:52 Reading from Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage featuring a shocking dead body discovery in a house flipping project

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Cozy mystery novels keep violence off the page, allowing readers to enjoy mystery solving without graphic content—the dead body exists. Still, readers don't witness the killing, making cozy crime fiction accessible and entertaining.

Culinary mystery books blend food industry knowledge with mystery writing, creating authentic chef characters and restaurant settings that add flavor to contemporary mystery fiction while exploring themes beyond traditional small town mysteries.

Strong female friendships elevate women's fiction within the cozy mystery genre—protagonists who support each other through divorce, house flipping businesses, and mystery adventures create compelling, relatable narratives for cozy mystery authors to explore.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Lori Pollard-Johnson writes from Washington and Arizona with two 2024 releases: Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage, featuring BFF amateur sleuths, and Toxic Torte, a culinary cozy about a critic's demise. She has 100+ publishing credits and holds an MA in writing from Seton Hill University. A former teacher and college professor, she's been a PNWA Literary Contest finalist and won awards for short fiction and poetry. When not writing, she enjoys her grandbabies, yoga, swimming, hiking, renovating fixer-uppers, and watching javelinas in her backyard.

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Lori Pollard-Johnson - Facebook

Lori Pollard-Johnson - Business Facebook

Lori Pollard-Johnson - Twitter

Lori Pollard-Johnson -Instagram 

Corpse in the Craftsman Cottage (A Flippin' Good Mystery Book 1) - Amazon

Hi everyone! In this episode, we’re diving into the world of songwriting, screenwriting, and fiction writing with author Eva Moon. We explore her journey from musician to playwright to novelist, discovering how storytelling evolves across musical theater, one-woman shows, and her debut novel, Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World. Eva shares how her genetic mutation diagnosis transformed her creative writing process, leading to the comedy show Mutant Diaries and ultimately inspiring her fantasy fiction novel about Pinocchio at midlife, grappling with body image and self-discovery. Tune in to hear an excerpt from the book as Pinocchio reflects on his transformation and feeling like an imposter in his human body.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How storytelling naturally evolves across different creative mediums—from songwriting to screenwriting to fiction writing—and how to let your story dictate its own format

The power of using fantasy fiction and character development to process personal trauma, as Eva transformed her genetic mutation experience into compelling creative writing

How Pinocchio becomes a metaphor for body image, imposter syndrome, and self-discovery when dealing with physical transformation and identity

Why authentic storytelling that explores internal versus external identity resonates with audiences dealing with their own transformative experiences

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Eva Moon's multi-format creative writing career as songwriter, playwright, screenwriter, and novelist

03:20 How songwriting evolved into musical theater through patter and storytelling between songs at performance venues

05:00 Eva's genetic mutation diagnosis and creating Mutant Diaries, a woman's show, as creative writing therapy

08:00 Origin story of Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World, exploring body image, transformation, and self-discovery

11:25 Eva reads an excerpt from Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World, featuring Pinocchio at midlife reflecting on his transformation

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Let your creative writing take multiple forms throughout your career: Eva's evolution from musician to songwriter to playwright to novelist shows that storytelling mastery isn't about choosing one lane—it's about following where each story needs to go

Transform lived experience into universal themes through character development: Rather than writing another autobiographical piece after Mutant Diaries, Eva used Pinocchio to explore body image and identity crisis in ways that resonated beyond her personal genetic mutation story

The entertainment industry offers multiple entry points for independent creators: Eva's path included performing at clubs, attending screenwriting school, touring her musical theater show internationally, and self-distributing content—proving there's no single formula for author success

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Eva Moon is an author, songwriter, playwright, screenwriter, performer, and former Huffington Post blogger. Her plays and musicals have been staged across the US and UK, and her solo musical, “The Mutant Diaries: Unzipping My Genes,” is streaming on Amazon. “Pinocchio’s Guide to the End of the World” is her first novel.

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Eva Moon - Website

Eva Moon - Author | LinkedIn

Eva Moon (@evamooon) • Facebook, Connect with friends

Eva Moon, Writer (@evamoonwriter) • Facebook

Eva Moon, storyteller, author (@evamoon) / Posts / X

Eva Moon - Instagram

Amazon.com: Pinocchio's Guide to the End of the World eBook

Historical true crime, genealogical mysteries, and unsolved deaths await in this gripping episode of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the mysterious world of true crime with author Michelle Graff and her book Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford. We'll explore genealogical research, unsolved mysteries from 1899, and the dark reality of human trafficking and unwed mothers. Michelle uncovers parallels between her great-grandmother and 15-year-old Sarah Mumford through newspaper archives and primary source research. This blend of narrative nonfiction and historical fiction reveals the secrets of a Victorian-era death investigation. Then, hear an excerpt from the book as we witness Amelia giving birth to her daughter and, despite the shame of being unwed, courageously insisting that the baby's father be recorded in the doctor's records. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How genealogical research and newspaper archives can uncover historical true crime cases from the 1800s

How orphanage records reveal the dark history of human trafficking and exploitation of children in the Victorian era

The investigative techniques used in death investigations and forensic investigations during the 19th-century crime era

How narrative nonfiction and historical fiction blend to tell the stories of unwed mothers and hidden truths in family history

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Michelle Graff explains how genealogical research on her great-grandmother led to discovering the 1899 historical true crime case of Sarah Mumford’s unsolved mystery 

04:54 The death investigation reveals Sarah was dead before the train hit her, and the coroner uncovers that she was treated as an indentured servant

07:56 Michelle discusses using newspaper archives, primary source research, and orphanage records to piece together the narrative nonfiction story in Hidden

13:33 The themes of human trafficking, unwed mothers, hidden truths, and how children were exploited in the Victorian era

17:33 Michelle Graff reads an excerpt from Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Sarah Mumford's death investigation in 1899 revealed she was dead before being placed on train tracks, transforming the case from suicide to a covered-up murder involving child welfare exploitation

Michelle Graff combined genealogical research techniques with historical true crime investigation, using newspaper archives and orphanage records to uncover the parallel stories of Sarah and her great-grandmother Amelia

The book exposes how children from orphanages were exploited as indentured servants for profit, drawing connections to modern-day human trafficking issues

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Michelle is drawn to mystery and true crime novels. Like so many true crime lovers, she longed to solve a real-life mystery. Fellow fans of history, genealogy, research, puzzles, true crime, mystery, social justice, and child advocacy can contact her at resiliencyonline.com.

Cultivating Human Resiliency - Website

Michelle Graff - LinkedIn

Hidden: The Unsolved Mystery of Sarah Mumford - Amazon

Welcome to the True Fiction Project, your go-to podcast for exploring the journey of stories from their non-fiction roots to their fictional outcomes! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, and today we're doing something different and special. We have marketing strategy expert Saurabh Bajaj, Executive Vice President at Vodafone Idea and author of the fascinating book The Practical Marketer. We explore practical marketing strategies, brand positioning, consumer insights, and social media marketing. Saurabh reveals how category growth, market share, personal branding, and domain authority shape successful marketing campaigns and how those concepts can be applied to fiction writers and artists. He shares his digital marketing journey and the power of brand strategy. Tune in to hear his Cadbury Celebrations story—how a profound consumer insight about the Diwali holiday, "Iss Diwali Aap Kise Khush Karengay" (This Diwali, Who Will You Make Happy), inspired the iconic, successful campaign.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

✅ The fundamental brand strategy decision: pursue category growth or steal market share—this choice determines your entire marketing campaign approach.

✅ Build personal branding and domain authority through social media marketing with vulnerable, authentic content that resonates with audiences.

✅ How consumer insights and digital marketing evolved—why establishing context and authority matters more than keywords in modern practical marketing strategies.

✅ The story behind Cadbury's iconic Diwali campaign and how understanding genuine human connection created a timeless brand positioning success.

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Saurabh Bajaj, author of The Practical Marketer and how the pandemic sparked his writing journey 

03:56 The fundamental brand strategy question: grow the category growth or steal market share

08:03 Understanding your brand positioning task before executing any marketing campaigns

13:33 Storytelling techniques for authors and how practical marketing strategies apply to creative professionals

17:48 The evolution of social media marketing and building domain authority through authentic content

26:11 Creating vulnerable, authentic content that builds personal branding and consumer insights

32:00 Saurabh tells us an anecdote about the Cadbury Celebrations Diwali campaign story he spearheaded: discovering the power of genuine consumer connection

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎 Understanding whether your goal is category growth or stealing market share is the most fundamental brand strategy decision that shapes all marketing campaigns and determines success.

💎 Building domain authority through social media marketing requires authentic content creation and vulnerability—the posts that make you uncomfortable often perform best and create a genuine consumer connection.

💎 Great consumer insights come from profound observation—Saurabh's Cadbury Celebrations campaign succeeded by discovering that Diwali represents a genuine human connection rather than transactions, a timeless insight still relevant today.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Saurabh Bajaj has served as the Executive Vice President and Prepaid Marketing Head at Vodafone Idea since August 2022. An alumnus of Delhi College of Engineering and IIM Indore (2004), he brings over 21 years of sales and marketing expertise.

His career spans a decade at Mondelez, Innovation Head for Premium & Luxury Spirits at Diageo, and over 5 years as Head of Marketing for Dairy & International Business at Britannia before joining Vodafone Idea. He was recognized among the 50 Best Marketing & Communication Professionals by White Page International (2020) and as a DMA Trailblazer Rising Star CMO (2021).

The Practical Marketer

Saurabh Bajaj - LinkedIn

The Practical Marketer - Instagram

Character-driven fiction, multi-perspective narrative, and historical fiction await in this episode of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, sitting down with award-winning journalist and novelist Marshall Fine. We'll explore his new novel Hemlock Lane, releasing today, November 25, 2025! It’s a women's fiction masterpiece told through a multi-perspective narrative over four days. Marshall shares his creative writing process, narrative structure techniques, and how film criticism and writing shaped his character development approach. Set in 1967, this book club fiction tackles second-wave feminism through family drama. 

Finally, Marshall reads an excerpt from Hemlock Lane which follows Nora Levitsky, a young woman on a quiet drive through upstate New York in the summer of 1967, at a roadside stop and with a handwritten note from her boyfriend which stirs unexpected emotions and the realization that she may be ready to imagine a future she once swore she’d never want.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

✅ How to structure character-driven fiction using a multi-perspective narrative approach that reveals secrets gradually over four days

✅ Narrative structure techniques for writing historical fiction set in 1960s America while making themes resonate with contemporary readers

✅ How film criticism and writing, biography writing, and documentary filmmaking experience can enhance your creative writing process and character development skills

✅ Methods for crafting compelling women's fiction and book club fiction that explores second-wave feminism and family dynamics through literary character study

✅ Hemlock Lane is releasing on November 25th and is available for pre-order here: https://www.amazon.com/Hemlock-Lane-Novel-Marshall-Fine-ebook/dp/B0F1Z37XX6

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Introduction to Marshall Fine's character-driven fiction novel Hemlock Lane and his background in film criticism and writing, biography writing, and documentary filmmaking

01:49 Marshall's restless creativity philosophy and his approach to the creative writing process while working on multi-perspective narrative projects

08:33 Discussion of Hemlock Lane's narrative structure: four days told from different character perspectives, classified as women's fiction and book club fiction

11:06 Exploring the character development of domineering mother and daughter dynamics in historical fiction writing set in 1967 with second-wave feminism themes

16:59 Marshall reads an excerpt from Hemlock Lane, introducing Nora Levitsky, demonstrating literary character study and flashback narrative techniques in contemporary fiction

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎 Character-driven fiction works best when you challenge yourself with structure—Marshall crafted Hemlock Lane as a multi-perspective narrative unfolding over four days, with each character's perspective revealing new insights into previous events through flashback narrative techniques

💎 Writing historical fiction set in 1960s America requires balancing period-specific tensions with universal themes—while second wave feminism was shocking in 1967, the story's core about domineering parents and family members treading on eggshells resonates across generations in women's fiction

💎 Drawing from diverse creative experiences enhances your creative writing process—Marshall's background in film criticism and writing, biography writing, and documentary filmmaking about rebels who charted their own paths directly influenced his character development approach in book club fiction

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Marshall Fine is an award-winning journalist, critic, and filmmaker with a 50-year career. Before his bestselling 2024 fiction debut, The Autumn of Ruth Winters, Fine wrote biographies of filmmakers John Cassavetes and Sam Peckinpah, directed documentaries about film critic Rex Reed and comedian Robert Klein, conducted the Playboy interview with Howard Stern, and chaired the New York Film Critics Circle four times. He currently lives in Ossining, New York.

Marshall Fine - Website

Hemlock Lane - Amazon

A queer South Asian woman’s story takes center stage at the start of season 7 of the True Fiction Project! I'm Reenita Hora, your host, diving into the groundbreaking world of queer storytelling with writer, comedian, and filmmaker Aneri Shah. We'll explore her journey from pre-med student to documentary filmmaking, her Eyebrow Queens podcast, and her television comedy pilot she’s written called, Not Quite, which is about queer reinvention. Aneri discusses creating LGBTQ+ content that challenges cultural norms and the absence of South Asian women filmmakers creating authentic bisexual coming-out stories. This episode features a concept teaser called Not Quite, demonstrating emotional authenticity in creating authentic LGBTQ+ content about cultural identity and women's friendship dynamics.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How queer South Asian representation is breaking new ground in television through comedy writing and independent film production that centers around South Asian women filmmakers

The creative journey from documentary filmmaking about ER physicians during the pandemic to developing LGBTQ+ television pilots that explore bisexual coming-out stories and cultural identity exploration

The power of podcast creation as a tool for discovering your voice and building community around queer South Asian representation and non-conformist life paths

How creative reinvention happens gradually through embracing uncertainty, shedding labels, and creating LGBTQ+ content that explores women's friendship dynamics and self-actualization

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Aneri Shah, a South Asian woman filmmaker creating LGBTQ+ content about flawed, funny women and her creative reinvention journey from pre-med student to documentary filmmaking 

03:52 Creating I'm Doing My Job documentary about ER physicians during the COVID-19 lockdown

09:07 Discussion of Not Quite, LGBTQ+ comedy pilot exploring bisexual coming out stories, cultural identity exploration, and shedding labels in your thirties

18:30 The importance of emotional authenticity in queer storytelling and representing South Asian American experience beyond parental relationships

22:45 Listen to Aneri Shah's concept teaser called Not Quite.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

Queer South Asian representation in media is virtually nonexistent for women—while there are examples with men like A Nice Indian Boy, there are no fully realized queer South Asian women characters on screen, making LGBTQ+ television shows. 

Emotional authenticity is the true superpower in queer storytelling—it's not just about putting a South Asian woman on screen, but making audiences feel her emotions deeply

Creative reinvention and coming out isn't just about sexuality—it's about questioning all the labels and assumptions you've made about yourself, from career paths to life goals, and recognizing that South Asian Women filmmakers can tell stories beyond the lens of parental approval

Women's friendship dynamics shift dramatically when one friend stops performing and the other continues—exploring how South Asian American experience friendships evolve when someone begins self-actualizing is a universal theme that resonates across all women's relationships

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Aneri Shah is a writer, comedian, and filmmaker obsessed with telling stories about flawed, funny women - because perfect is boring. She hosts Eyebrow Kweenz, a salon-style podcast where guests blurt out their truths, is developing Not Quite, a comedy pilot about her queer reinvention, and directed I’m Doing My Job, a feature documentary about women of color ER physicians during the pandemic. She's adept at transforming her trauma into comedy with heart.

Aneri Shah - Instagram

tiktok.com/@kweenaneri

Instagram.com/eyebrowkweenz

Eyebrow Kweenz - TikTok

Eyebrow Kweenz | Podcast on Spotify

Female Indian artists shine in this powerful mash-up episode from Season Six of the True Fiction Project! I’m Reenita Hora, your host, honoring the voices of female Indian artists who use writing to explore identity, culture, and creativity. From the sacred symbolism of the Narmada River to the reflections of Indian mixed-media artists like Laila Khan Furniturewalla, these stories reveal how words become art. We’ll explore themes of Indian cultural identity, resilience in art, and the historical depth of the Vermilion Harvest novel, shaped by the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. This collection of conversations of fiction and historical fiction highlights the brilliance of female Indian artists who write to empower and inspire.  

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How female Indian artists use storytelling to share culture, resilience, and creativity

The spiritual inspiration behind Narmada River rituals and its influence on artistic writing

Insights from Indian mixed media artists like Laila Khan Furniturewalla and her creative journey

How the Vermilion Harvest novel explores history through fiction, including the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy

Why celebrating Indian cultural identity through literature empowers communities and future generations

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Introduction to the True Fiction Project, focusing on female Indian artists from Season Six

02:15 Rachana Devidayal explains the creativity that flowed from the sacred Narmada River and other elements of her heritage

06:45 Laila Khan Furniturewalla, daughter of Pharaoh Khan, is an Indian mixed media artist who focuses on heritage and art. Hear Laila O Laila  

14:23 Traci DeForge interviews Reenita’s publisher about her novel Vermillion Harvest Playtime at the Bagh, discussing how real life can inspire historical fiction 

17:00 Excerpt from Vermillion Harvest Playtime at the Bagh about forbidden love and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, read by Reenita Hora

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

The introduction to the True Fiction Project highlights female Indian artists, storytelling, and Indian cultural identity

Rachana Devidayal shares her journey as a female Indian artist, inspired by the sacred Narmada River, rituals and resilience in art

💎 Laila Khan Furniturewalla, an Indian mixed media artist, reflects on heritage, creativity, and the legacy of female Indian artists

💎 Exploration of the Vermilion Harvest novel, its connection to the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, and the power of female Indian artists in historical fiction

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Rachana Devidayal - Website  

Laila Khan Furniturewalla - Website

Vermilion Harvest: Playtime at the Bagh

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

Reenita Malhotra Hora - Website

Hope, loyalty, and love shine in this heartwarming mash-up from season six of the True Fiction Project! I’m Reenita Hora, your host, sharing uplifting stories that remind us of resilience, family bonds, and the power of kindness. We’ll hear from Mark Steven Porro and his touching memoir, A Cup of Tea on the Commode, capturing the humor and love in caregiving for his mother. Then, Brian Gotta brings us Him, a moving tale of a dog’s devotion and search for his best friend. Each story blends real-life inspiration with fiction that stirs the heart. Tune in today for interview highlights and unforgettable storytelling. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 

How inspirational stories of hope, loyalty, and love can strengthen family bonds and inspire resilience in everyday life

Why caregiving stories like Mark Steven Porro’s memoir highlight the humor, challenges, and rewards of showing kindness to loved ones

Brian Gotta captures themes of devotion, trust, and emotional storytelling in his dog fiction story, Him.

The way the True Fiction Project transforms real-life inspiration into fiction inspired by real life, creating uplifting and unforgettable narratives

Subscribe to Reenita’s Storytelling Den on Substack for free at https://substack.com/@reenitahora and to her YouTube channel to watch the video version of this episode! https://www.youtube.com/@reenymal

Check out her website to stay up-to-date on events, book releases and more! https://reenita.com/

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Introduction to the True Fiction Project and how inspirational stories are born from real-life inspiration

02:00 Mark shares his journey on how he began to be the caregiver for his mom in his memoir, filled with love, humor, and family bonds, in A Cup of Tea on the Commode

03:17 A touching emotional storytelling scene highlights hope and resilience through children, bringing joy to Genevieve

05:02 Brian discusses his self-publishing journey and writing dog lover fiction rooted in loyalty and devotion

11:52 Reenita invites listeners to share great stories they would like to see featured on the True Fiction Project

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

The opening of the True Fiction Project highlights how inspirational stories, real-life inspiration, and emotional storytelling connect to human experiences.

Mark Steven Porro’s memoir showcases caregiving stories, family bonds, and the power of love in difficult times.

Brian Gotta shares his self-publishing journey, creating dog lover fiction that blends loyalty, hope, and devotion.

Excerpt from Him delivers an uplifting story, trust, and kindness through the heartfelt eyes of a dog.

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Mark Steven Porro - LinkedIn

Brian Gotta - LinkedIn

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

A Cup of Tea on the Commode - Website

Him - Book