Novelist Carla Malden joins Azul to discuss her latest book, Playback—a nostalgic, time-traveling story about reconciling past ideals with present reality. They explore the character of Mari Caldwell, Carla’s cinematic writing style, and the emotional process of co-authoring a memoir with her father, Oscar-winning actor Karl Malden.
Timestamp:
0:00 — Introducing Carla Malden and Playback
3:10 — The nostalgia and time travel behind Mari Caldwell’s story
8:00 — Writing a novel that stands alone but continues a character’s arc
10:33 — The influence of Carla’s screenwriting background
15:00 — Co-writing a memoir with her father, Karl Malden
20:26 — Writing process and lessons from crafting multiple genres
24:14 — Plotter vs. pantser: How Carla approaches storytelling
27:44 — Shifting trends in Hollywood and timeless storytelling
30:04 — Advice for authors struggling with doubt or imposter syndrome
34:00 — What’s next for Carla
Full show notes
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