E788 - Denise Derya Brandt - Istanbul Dreaming - Ayten, a dutiful daughter torn between tradition and her dream of becoming a modern Turkish woman

Episode 788 - Denise Derya Brandt - Istanbul Dreaming - Ayten, a dutiful daughter torn between tradition and her dream of becoming a modern Turkish woman Writing a Family Story Through Historical Fiction Denise Derya Brandt always dreamed of writing a book. After more than twenty years working in international development and public health, including projects in Afghanistan, Liberia, and Myanmar, she found herself reflecting on that dream when the world slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic. Boxes of family photographs reopened questions about her parents. A visit to Turkey in 2021 brought an unexpected discovery: a photograph of her Turkish mother in a wedding dress beside a man who was not Denise's American father. Her aunt's reaction revealed a hidden part of her mother's past. Her mother had experienced a forced arranged marriage before running away to Istanbul, where she eventually met Denise's father. That discovery became the foundation for Denise's historical fiction novel. Turning Family History Into Fiction Denise used her parents' first names for her central characters, I-10 and Earl, while creating fictional circumstances, composite characters, and a different ending. She wanted to explore what a young woman in 1950s Turkey might have experienced as she sought independence and control over her own life. Research became essential. Historical events, newspaper archives, advertisements, prices, and the social and political context helped Denise create a believable setting. At the same time, she learned to give herself room to discover the story while writing. Her own experiences also shaped the work. Living overseas and navigating unfamiliar languages and cultures gave her insight into feelings she could bring to her characters. A New Chapter Writing the novel also gave Denise a way to process grief and understand her mother from a different perspective. She came to accept that her mother had been entitled to keep parts of her life private, while still seeing the novel as a tribute to her story. The writing process changed Denise's career and opened a new chapter. Moving from international development into writing meant becoming a beginner again, something she describes as exciting and valuable. Family stories can carry unanswered questions across generations. Writing can create a way to explore those gaps, preserve a legacy, and discover something new about yourself along the way. https://www.denisederyabrandt.com/ 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