SHOW NOTES

Host Elena Lappin in conversation with novelist Eden Mckenzie-Goddard about his debut novel SMALLIE – a powerful love story and a multigenerational tale of family, loss, and identity. The novel intertwines personal heritage with the political realities faced by Caribbean immigrants in Britain. In this episode, Eden McKenzie-Goddard shares insights into his writing process, the significance of the novel’s title, and the emotional depths of his characters’ journeys.

Copyright: Elena Lappin

Original theme music score copyright: Tom Pooley

• Navigating multi-generational stories that reflect the complexities of immigration and identity
• How language, music, and personal experiences shape McKenzie-Goddard’s storytelling
• The role of empathy and emotional truth in portraying characters’ inner worlds
• The significance of the Windrush scandal in shaping the novel’s political and social themes
• Writing in multiple first-person voices to deepen character development
• The creative process and how music influences the author’s writing rhythm
• Challenges of balancing political themes with human stories
• Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Eden Mackenzie Goddard and Smalley
• 01:33 – Eden reads from his novel, exploring themes of discomfort and language
• 05:54 – Discussing the book’s connection with the Windrush scandal and its multi-generational scope
• 08:48 – Film rights and themes of love and anger in the story
• 11:40 – Personal stories of long-distance love and migration
• 13:19 – The novel’s portrayal of unspoken responsibilities and internal conflicts
• 14:17 – Exploring multiple narrative voices and character depth in Smalley
• 17:35 – The importance of empathy in storytelling and understanding family pain
• 20:12 – The immigrant experience and feeling of abandonment within families
• 22:10 – Character complexity, especially Lucinda, and her struggles with language and identity
• 24:46 – The theme of rebellion and the search for freedom through Lucinda’s journey
• 26:08 – The impact of language and how it shapes self-perception and authenticity
• 33:00 – The theme of aloneness and isolation within immigrant narratives
• 36:05 – Addressing political issues through human stories, focusing on the Windrush scandal
• 42:16 – The evolution of the story and Mc-Kenzie-Goddard’s creative process over years
• 44:14 – The creative milestone of writing the final scene and the story’s life force
• 46:00 – Vision of SMALLIE adapted to film, highlighting visual storytelling

• Resources & Links
• SMALLIE by Eden Mackenzie Goddard (search for latest links)
• Nancy Wilson – Guess Who I Saw Today
• Connect with Eden Mackenzie GoddardTwitter
• Instagram
• Official Website
• Additional NotesThe significance of language and identity in multicultural and immigrant experiences is central to Eden’s storytelling. His personal insights and musical influences enrich the narrative depth of SMALLIE.
• The episode emphasizes storytelling as a vehicle for empathy, highlighting individual human stories amidst political upheavals.

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