Bio: Lisa Montanaro is the author of the debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, which released in January 2025, by Red Adept Publishing, and won first place for LGBTQ Fiction in the International Firebird Book Awards and Honorable Mention from the Los Angeles Book Festival. At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, the novel explores not only the consequences of secrets—even secrets kept out of love—but also the courage it takes to speak the truth, to forgive, and to let go. Lisa is part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. She has a unique background as a performer, teacher of deaf students, lawyer, coach, speaker, and author. Lisa is also the author of The Ultimate Life Organizer,published by Peter Pauper Press. She serves as webinar host for the Women's Fiction Writers Association and as facilitator of the Retro COLAGE group for adult children of LGBTQ parents. When not writing, Lisa enjoys cycling and hiking with her veterinarian husband, tending to her garden, and chasing after her rescue dogs. Lisa has enjoyed living snow-free since 2012 in Northern California, where she’s made it her mission to sample the wines of the region.

SOURCES & LINKS

Author Website: http://www.LisaMontanaroWrites.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMontanaroAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisa.montanaro/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lisa.montanaro

BlueSky: https://lisamontanaro.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisamontanaroauthor

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-Montanaro/author/B00585O2TC

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4985348.Lisa_Montanaro

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/786071194

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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In this episode of Authors Talking Bookish, we take a deep dive into The Handmaid’s Tale—not just as readers, but as writers. We explore Margaret Atwood’s masterful craft: her use of voice, world building, and the chilling plausibility that makes this dystopian classic so enduring. We also share our take on the most recent adaptation and how it expands (or shifts) the original narrative. Most importantly, we discuss why stories like this matter now more than ever—especially in today’s cultural and political climate. Whether you're a fan, a critic, or reading it for the first time, this conversation will challenge you to think about the power and responsibility of storytelling.

SHOW NOTES:

• Happy 2 Year Anniversary Episode!
• Our first exposure to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  • Then vs. now impressions
  • Reading in a pre versus post-Roe v. Wade-overturning climate
• The Handmaid’s Tale and today’s political climate

• A writer’s perspective on style, plot, world building & character
  • Do you prefer stories that lean heavily on internal narration or action?
  • Dystopian fiction genre

• Alignment and critical view of the 1990 Film & Hulu adaptation
  • The shift to a visual medium
  • How 1st person, stream-of-consciousness is handled differently through visual flashback
  • Fleshed-out storylines (Ofglen, Serena Joy, Nick, Moira)
  • Did the adaptations remain true to the heart of the novel or change too much?

• The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

SOURCES & LINKS

The Handmaid’s Tale & The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale, 1990, Director Volker Schlöndorff

The Handmaid’s Tale, 2017-2025, TV Series Creator Bruce Miller (6 seasons)

“Gilead Revisit: What Went Wrong with The Handmaid’s Tale Movie”, Collider

Sarah Grynberg Podcast, “The Dark Truth About The Handmaid’s Tale”

DO NOW:

Read them. Watch them.

Become informed about women’s rights.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode, we explore how a simple journal can become a novelist’s most powerful tool. From unlocking character secrets to breaking through writer’s block, journaling helps writers tap into their deepest creative instincts. You’ll learn five practical ways journaling can support your novel at every stage—and get inspired with fresh prompts to spark your next breakthrough. Whether you're stuck in the middle or just starting out, this episode will help you turn the blank page into your best ally.

SHOW NOTES:

Five Journal Writing Methods to Support Novel Writing:

1. Brainstorm

Journaling allows you to freely explore story ideas, themes, and "what if" scenarios without pressure. This can lead to unexpected insights and help you discover the emotional or philosophical heart of a story.

1. Develop Characters More Deeply Writing from a character’s point of view, or just journaling about them, can reveal their inner lives, motivations, fears, and backstories in a more intimate way than structured outlining.
2. Overcome Writer’s Block Journal writing removes the need for perfection. It’s a private space where you can write without judgment, which often helps break through blocks and get the words flowing again.
3. Track Emotional & Creative Progress Keeping a writing journal can help you reflect on your process, track struggles and breakthroughs, and stay motivated by seeing how far you’ve come.
4. Inspire Authentic Dialogue and Voice Journaling in different voices—your characters’, your narrator’s, or even a fictional letter—can help you nail down tone, dialect, and authentic dialogue that breathes life into scenes.

SOURCES & LINKS:

Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg

Bird by Bird, Ann Lamott

Write for Your Life, Anna Quindlen

The Playful Way to Serious Writing, Roberta Allen

Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper, Sark

Srivener

DO NOW:

Explore the recommended sources and choose one to get you started on your journal writing journey. Also access this FREE Download to give you some ideas throughout your novel writing process: Journal Writing Prompts for Novelists

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you