I had the pleasure of talking with sid sibo, an award-winning author living just west of the Continental Divide in the traditional homeland of the Shoshone and Bannock people. Her debut novel, 'The Scent of Distant Family,' serves as the cornerstone of our discussion today. This book captivated me instantly with its intriguing title, and after our discussion, I believe it will captivate you as well. We start by getting into what inspired sid to write the book and how she navigated its unique structure, which includes seven points of view, two of which are animals. Sid discusses the challenges and artistic choices involved in creating a narrative that balances diverse perspectives while maintaining a coherent and engaging story. We also explore the concept of voice in writing, and how the imprecision of human language can be both a challenge and an opportunity for writers. She also shares her insights on developing character voices, using examples from her own work as well as other renowned authors like Barbara Kingsolver. One of the most compelling aspects of our discussion is the representation of diversity, both human and symbolic, in sid's novel. She explains how her background in anthropology and sociology informed her portrayal of various characters and settings, challenging common perceptions about uncommon places, like rural Wyoming. sid's experience and wisdom make this episode a treasure trove of insights for any writer looking to find and claim their voice, while also respecting the diverse perspectives of their characters and readers.  Key Topics:The inspiration behind the novel and its unique narrationDisplaying voice through both human and animal charactersThe worldview of an author creates a whole other layer to voiceChoosing the structure of her book to suit an unconventional narrativeWhat makes a voice unique to tell a storyHow notable authors, writers, and dancers denote voice in their workBringing diversity into voice in a setting that’s not particularly diverseFiction is where empathy is most likely to growBalancing authentic voice and worldview of characters while being respectful of the readers’ POV Letting go of fear and being playful to discover your unique voicePracticing deep listening outside of yourself to improve your voiceConnect with sid online:Website: https://www.sidsibo.com/Blog: https://www.sidsibo.com/blogInstagram: @sibo.burroBook: https://www.amazon.com/Scent-Distant-Family-Novel/dp/1496240278Find more from Jill: Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/ Writing Coaching Programs: https://www.thewritersrefuge.com/coaching Sign up for my free 3x weekly writing session: write to [email protected] for ZOOM info Special thanks to LVDY for allowing us to use their song, Saltwater, in the intro and outro of the podcast!

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