135. Heather G. Marshall | When the Ocean Flies: Fiction vs memoir, mindfulness, and writing beyond trauma

Arts Calling

Weekly Shoutout: Arcade Bookshop Podcast!

What did you think of the episode? Send Jaime a message!

Hi there,

Today I am excited to be arts calling author and coach Heather G. Marshall! (heathergmarshall.com)

About our Guest: Heather G. Marshall is an adoptee, author, speaker, teacher, coach, and traveler. Her short fiction has been published in a variety of journals, including Black Middens: New Writing Scotland, and Quarried, an anthology of the best of three decades of Pine Mountain Sand and Gravel. Her first novel, The Thorn Tree, released in 2014 (MP Publishing). Her TED talk, “Letting Go of Expectations,” centers around her adoption and reunion. Originally from Scotland, Heather is currently based in Massachusetts. heathergmarshall.com

WHEN THE OCEAN FLIES, now available from Vine Leaves Press! https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-the-ocean-flies-heather-g-marshall/20885419

About WHEN THE OCEAN FLIES: An email from a stranger tells Alison Earley that her natural father, whom she has known for only six years, has died suddenly. What begins as a short trip back to Scotland for a funeral soon becomes a journey that puts adoption, sexuality, and identity on a collision course as Alison finds herself caught between the life and family she has so carefully constructed on one continent and the family from which she was taken on another. Shunned by her father's family, reunited with her natural mother, and reconnected with a long-lost love, Alison finds herself trying to shepherd her youngest child towards college while questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. When her natural mother uncovers a series of letters written to Alison from the grandmother she never knew, resurrecting the stories of generations of women-stories long buried by patriarchal rule-Alison realizes that she must find the courage to face and reveal the secrets of her own past. At what cost, though? And who and what will be left in the aftermath? When the Ocean Flies explores the pain of separation and abuse, and the power of love to heal even over huge gaps in time and geographical distance.

Letting Go of Expectations, Heather's Ted Talk, now available here: https://heathergmarshall.com/books-and-writing/letting-go-of-expectations/

Thanks for this wonderful conversation, Heather! All the best!

--

Arts Calling is produced by Jaime Alejandro (cruzfolio.com). If you like the show: leave a review, or share it with someone who's starting their creative journey! Your support truly makes a difference! Go make a dent. Much love,

j

https://artscalling.com