The Balance of Truth and Fiction | Kevin O'Connor

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In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I sit down with Kevin O'Connor, the author of the forthcoming memoir, 2 Floors Above Grief. Scheduled for release today, O'Connor's book provides a unique blend of memoir, travelogue, and an exploration of the mental health aspects of working in the funeral industry from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. Our conversation ranges from the intricacies of writing a memoir to the deep emotional and historical context behind his family's funeral business.

Timestamp:
00:00 Focused on writing a book in 2021.
03:12 Followed the guided process and published the book in 18 months.
06:41 The Initial audience was 150 family members, but expanded.
11:57 Planning follow-up books, inspired by family letters.
14:39 Funeral directors coping with inherited grief burden.
18:20 Authentic family stories, no fictionalization, considering fiction.
19:53 Use fiction to tell truths without hurting people.
24:30 Real, flawed characters are relatable and interesting.
28:08 Memoir covers multiple lives and personal stories.
30:06 Memoirs reflect interpreted past moments, not facts.
36:00 Resources for grief, book updates, newsletter, Instagram.
37:00 Shift toward emotional aspect in modern grieving.

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