What happens when a lifelong clinical psychologist turns family history into a powerful historical novel?
In this episode of Plot Twist Radio, I sit down with author and former clinical psychologist Leslie Schover to discuss her debut novel Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak, inspired by her parents’ experiences living in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project.
Leslie shares the real stories passed down through her family, including the secrecy surrounding Oak Ridge, the emotional realities of life during World War II, and the shocking discovery that Soviet spies worked alongside her father during the development of the atomic bomb.
We also dive into:
• The emotional power of historical fiction
• Writing relationships, marriage, and intimacy
• The transition from nonfiction to fiction writing
• The ethics and legacy of nuclear weapons
• Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project
• Cold War fears and generational memory
• Writing realistic dialogue and character-driven fiction
• Why fiction can help us better understand history
Leslie also opens up about becoming a first-time novelist at 73, building community with other writers, and finding creative freedom later in life.
If you love historical fiction, World War II history, the Manhattan Project, writing craft discussions, or conversations about the emotional side of history, this episode is for you.
Where to find Leslie:
#HistoricalFiction #ManhattanProject #OakRidge #WorldWarII #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #PlotTwistRadio #LeslieSchover #ColdWarHistory #BookPodcast