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In today’s episode, I am chatting with Sandra Schnakenburg. She is a dual American/Australian citizen. Sandy earned a BS in finance and international business at Arizona State University and an MBA specializing in finance and accounting at the University of Southern California. She left a career in corporate finance in 2010 to sutdy creative nonfiction. She has completed writing courses at Rice University. Writespace, and The Writers University in Houston. When not writing, you will find Sandra enjoying her family, nature, hiking, skiing, biking, cooking, yoga and walking her dogs. She and her husband, Karl, currently split their time between Houston, TX and Park City, Utah.

Episode Highlights:

• Sandy shares the deeply personal story behind The Housekeeper’s Secret, a memoir written from her point of view that uncovers the life of Lee, her beloved housekeeper and a guiding light in her youth.
• Reflections on childhood, identity and the privilege and responsibility of telling someone else’s story with care.
• A meaningful discussion on parenting and the importance of fostering a sense of purpose in our children’s lives.
• Insights into Sandy’s transition from a finance career to creative nonfiction writing and how she approaches the craft.
• Thoughts on perseverance in writing, including the staggering statistic that 97% of people who want to write a book don’t finish.
• Encouragement for aspiring writers about the ever-evolving journey of authorship and the humbling lessons each new project brings.
• Sandy’s book flight includes the books she devoured that influenced her voice and helped shape her memoir.

Connect with Sandra Schnakenburg:

• Instagram
• Website
• Facebook
• Purchase The Housekeeper’s Secret

Show Notes

Some links are affiliate links, which are no extra cost to you but do help to support the show.

Books and authors mentioned in the episode:

• The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield
• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer
• The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Book Flight

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
• The Fact of the Body by Alex Marzano-Lesnevich

Ready for a monthly literary adventure? We now have the BFF Book Club. Join us each month to explore a new book. After reading, connect with fellow book lovers and meet the author in a live interview! Can’t make it live? Don’t worry—we’ll send you the recording. You can find all our upcoming book club selections HERE.

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