An Empty Nest Chat With Fellow Author John Infortunio E156

John Infortunio writes about his father's Alzheimer's, and he chose fiction over memoir to do it. On this episode, he tells us why a character can hold what a memoir can't.

John is a lifelong educator, a native Brooklynite, and the author of two novels drawn from his own life. We get into how he balances that authenticity with fiction, what actually happens in his editing process, and how growing up in a tight-knit Brooklyn neighborhood shaped the way he writes.

He also talks about caretaking for his aging parents while raising his son, and what it took to stop comparing his son's twenties to his own.

What's in this episode:

• Why John chose fiction over memoir for his father's Alzheimer's
• How he balances personal authenticity with writing fiction
• His editing process, what gets cut and what gets built up
• Growing up in a community-rich Brooklyn neighborhood
• Caretaking for his parents while raising his son and building a career
• Letting go of comparing his son's twenties to his own
• Watching his son grow into his own political and social views

You can find John's books, Destroyed by the Events of the Day and Today Was Tomorrow, on Amazon https://link.amazon/B0dthUWCe (Amazon affiliate link), barnesandnoble.com, and Walmart.com.

Follow him on Instagram @johninfortunio.

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Distance, protection, and letting go show up in different ways in this one. Join the conversation in our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/theloudquiet

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Why fiction, not memoir, for his father's Alzheimer's

02:58 Hiding behind characters for emotional protection

04:02 Balancing authenticity while still writing fiction

04:21 Editing as the real filter for truth

06:12 Trusting instinct instead of staying guarded

08:23 How teaching shaped his approach to writing

10:44 Growing up in a tight-knit Brooklyn community

14:57 Caretaking for aging parents while raising his son

22:06 Letting go of comparing his son's twenties to his own

25:19 Watching his son grow into social and political awareness

28:22 Healthy disagreement and pushback with grown kids

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s)