Memoir coach and author Marion Roach

On Balancing Curiosity, Research and Writing with Matti Friedman

marion — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 22:08:47 +0000

MATTI FRIEDMAN IS AN award-winning journalist and author. His work as a reporter has taken him from Israel to Lebanon, Morocco, Moscow, the Caucasus and Washington, D.C. A former Associated Press correspondent, his work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, The Atlantic, and elsewhere. He currently writes from Israel for The Free Press. The author of five nonfiction books that have been translated into a dozen languages and have so far been awarded the Sammy Rohrer Prize, the Natan Prize, the ALA Sophie Brody Medal, and more, his new book is Out of the Sky, Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe, just out from Spiegel & Grau. Listen in and read along as we discuss balancing curiosity, research and writing and a whole lot more. Powered by RedCircle Marion: Welcome, Matti. Matti: Thanks so much for having me. Marion: Well, it’s an honor to meet you. Your work as a reporter has taken you from Israel to Lebanon, Moscow. I talked about that in the intro, the Caucasus and Washington, D.C. You were born in Toronto. You currently live and write from Israel. But I want to get back to the start of you. Give me […]

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How to Write Into the Themes of Right Now, with Shelley Noble

marion — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 14:33:48 +0000

SHELLEY NOBLE IS KNOWN for her gripping historical novel, The Tiffany Girls, in which she unearths a previously little known true story of the women artists responsible for much of Tiffany’s glasswork, as well as for her historical mysteries. She is a former professor, dancer, and choreographer. Shelley’s new historical novel could not be more timely. Titled The Sisters of Book Row, it digs into early 20th century American book banning during a time in our country when even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. Sisters of Book Row is just out from William Morrow. Listen in and read along as we discuss how to write into the themes of right now. Powered by RedCircle Marion: Welcome, Shelley. Shelley: Thank you for having me. I’m so glad to be here. Marion: Thank you for agreeing to be here. I’ve previously interviewed more than several historical novelists on QWERTY, and every time the work they have presented seems prescient. It speaks to the time in which it is published. And I know that’s not always the case with historical fiction. But when it is, I suspect it’s not a coincidence. And I want […]

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Parenting Memoir: Imaginary Friends

marion — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 04:03:24 +0000

LIKE MOST PARENTS of a teen, I worried about our daughter’s future romantic relationships. I didn’t need to. Her first love who was not her Daddy was someone who would make the heart of any mother just soar: Tall, Jewish, part of a large family, he doted on the needs of my child and encouraged her to eat her vegetables. But there were problems, not the least of which was that he was imaginary. What to do with that tale? What is a parent to do when seeking to write good parenting memoir? You must learn to go with what you’ve got and then find the universal. Here’s how. We were driving home from school when I first heard about him. My little girl said that she had a new friend. “How nice,” I said, half-listening in that end of the day kind of way. “He hangs out by the playground,” she told me. I listened a little closer. “He talks to me all day,” she said. “Only me.” Now she had my attention. I had read the books. I knew I was not supposed to show them any fear, no matter what the topic. But I also read the […]

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