E728 - Fran Hawthorne - Journalist and Author of the new novel Her Daughter

EPISODE 728 - Fran Hawthorne - Journalist and Author of the new novel Her Daughter

Author and journalist Fran Hawthorne joins the show to discuss her latest novel Her Daughter and the deeply personal and complex themes that run through her work. From snowy New York days to memories of her formative years in California, Fran brings warmth, humor, and candor to a conversation that spans decades of storytelling, from her childhood writing ambitions to her award‑nominated fiction today.

Fran shares how Her Daughter—a novel ten years in the making—grew from a spark into a nuanced exploration of parental alienation, a subtle yet devastating form of psychological manipulation within families. She describes how seemingly ordinary conversations can erode trust and self‑belief, showing how emotional control can exist without overt conflict. Her goal, she says, is not only to build empathy and awareness but to speak directly to readers living through similar experiences: “It’s not your fault. You’re not alone.”

Drawing from her background as a journalist, Fran also reflects on her career writing nonfiction about ethics, consumer activism, and the pharmaceutical industry. Her investigative rigor and commitment to getting the details right—right down to smelling the ferns for a forest scene—infuse her fiction with journalistic authenticity and emotional truth. She recounts flying across California for on‑site research, missing flights, and risking cliffside roads, all in pursuit of realism on the page.

Throughout the episode, Fran talks about the importance of editing ruthlessly, learning from critique, and being open to rewriting even the most beloved parts of a manuscript. She offers wisdom for writers about flexibility, persistence, and the courage to keep creating through rejection. As she puts it, she’s been writing since she was four—and never stopped believing that stories matter.

The discussion closes with a glimpse of her next project, a novel centered on sisters and the complicated bonds that shape a lifetime. Like all her work, it continues her fascination with family, ethics, and emotional truth set against vividly researched American backdrops.

Key takeaway:
Great writing demands both vulnerability and discipline. Fran Hawthorne reminds us that stories born of truth and persistence can open hearts, strengthen empathy, and help readers—and writers—see themselves more clearly.

https://www.hawthornewriter.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca