Definitely Not Famous: More Extra than Ordinary

Writing the Illogical Adventure with James MacDuff

The Illogical Adventure - on Kobo [https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=pVxyDUThvXE&offerid=1562955.3721917771983172426823526&type=2&murl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kobo.com%2fca%2fen%2febook%2fthe-illogical-adventure] The Illogical Adventure - on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4u0sSty] Support Rebecca on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/7836092/join] Writing The Illogical Adventure focuses on the craft challenges and ethical questions involved in co‑writing a memoir with two distinct voices. Rebecca continues her conversation with James MacDuff, who—alongside his wife, Mirriam Mweemba—coauthored The Illogical Adventure. What began as James’s solo MFA writing project about travel evolved into a shared memoir when he realized the story only worked if it fully included Mirriam’s perspective. James describes the collaborative process they developed to protect authenticity and trust: recorded interviews, drafting in Mirriam’s own words, and an iterative editing workflow that allowed her to set clear boundaries around privacy. He reflects on how feedback from mentors and early readers shaped the book’s structure, helping them balance the two voices and gradually weave them together as their lives converged. The episode also explores the emotional labour of memoir—deciding what to disclose, how to portray family and friends fairly, and whether the work is worth the personal cost when publication is uncertain. The conversation closes with a practical look at publishing, as James explains how a local creative nonfiction prize offered a realistic, accessible path from manuscript to book—underscoring the importance of small presses in bringing new voices into the world. * (00:38) - Chapter 01 * (05:09) - Chapter 02 * (14:03) - Chapter 03 * (16:01) - Chapter 04

Illogical Love with James MacDuff

The Illogical Adventure - on Kobo [https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=pVxyDUThvXE&offerid=1562955.3721917771983172426823526&type=2&murl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kobo.com%2fca%2fen%2febook%2fthe-illogical-adventure] The Illogical Adventure - on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4u0sSty] Support Rebecca on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/7836092/join] In this episode, Rebecca speaks with Halifax lawyer and lifelong traveler James McDuff about the extraordinary love story at the heart of The Illogical Adventure: A Memoir of Love and Fate, which he co‑wrote with his wife, Mirriam Mweeba. James recounts how a chance encounter in Cape Town at the end of an ambitious voyage led to a long‑distance relationship shaped by travel, cultural exchange, and timing, and how the COVID‑19 pandemic—rather than pulling them apart—accelerated their commitment. Through stories of meeting Mirriam’s family in Zambia, navigating lockdowns, proposing abroad, marrying during a global crisis, and eventually building a family in Canada, the episode explores how a single, illogical decision can quietly redirect an entire life. * (00:35) - Chapter 01 * (02:21) - Chapter 02 * (07:21) - Chapter 03 * (14:13) - Chapter 04 * (18:42) - Chapter 05

Pedalling Ultra Fast with Meaghan Hackinen

South Away - Amazon link [https://amzn.to/4t6EZVs] South Away - Kobo link [https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=pVxyDUThvXE&offerid=1562955.372197668183151530583578&type=2&murl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kobo.com%2fca%2fen%2febook%2fsouth-away] Shifting Gears - Amazon link [https://amzn.to/47QsKUC] Shifting Gears - Kobo Link [https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=pVxyDUThvXE&offerid=1562955.3721914804090224334008641&type=2&murl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kobo.com%2fca%2fen%2febook%2fshifting-gears-37] Support this podcast on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/7836092/join] In this episode of Definitely Not Famous, host Rebecca Hogue interviews Meaghan Hackinen, an ultra-distance cyclist and author of two memoirs, South Away and Shifting Gears. Meaghan shares how her cycling journey began with a solo ride along British Columbia's Highway of Tears at age 24, evolved through cycle touring the Pacific Coast with her sister, and eventually led her into the male-dominated world of ultra-distance bike racing — including winning the 2024 Tour Divide. She reflects on what it means to be a woman in adventure sports, the importance of female representation in storytelling, and how vulnerability on the road often invites unexpected generosity from strangers. Meaghan also discusses her writing journey, from typing blog posts in public libraries to completing an MFA and publishing two books, emphasizing the role of community support — including her "Beta Babes" readers — in building her confidence as a writer. Her advice to aspiring writers: write, share your story, and find your people. * (01:18) - Chapter 01 * (04:24) - Chapter 02 * (07:14) - Chapter 03 * (10:13) - Chapter 04 * (13:38) - Chapter 05 * (17:51) - Chapter 06 * (22:26) - Chapter 07 * (29:06) - Chapter 08

Going to Ethiopia with Marian Dodds

Educator and advocate Marian Dodds joins host Rebecca J. Hogue to discuss Tizita — A Memoir of Perseverance and Enchantment, tracing her path from second‑wave feminist organizing in the BC Teachers’ Federation to three years volunteering with CUSO in Ethiopia. She reflects on the status‑of‑women work that reshaped classrooms and contracts, the challenge of transliteration in place names, and the sensory tapestry behind the book’s title—from the soothing melodies of tizita drifting out of Addis cafés to the smells of coffee ceremonies and fresh injera that still transport her back. Support my Podcasts using Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/7836092/join]. Your $3 per month helps the podcast stay live, supports me as an Artist, and helps me access other funding. Amazon [https://amzn.to/46OCHkT] Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/p/books/tizita-a-memoir-of-perseverance-and-enchantment/c0e22fbd7f477806?ean=9781038344144&next=t] * (00:44) - Chapter 01 * (02:57) - Chapter 02 * (05:52) - Chapter 04 * (06:54) - Chapter 05 * (07:50) - Chapter 06 * (09:29) - Chapter 07 * (12:27) - Chapter 08 * (14:26) - Chapter 09 * (16:42) - Chapter 10 * (18:06) - Chapter 11 * (20:47) - Chapter 12 * (22:47) - Chapter 13 * (25:38) - Chapter 14 * (28:54) - Chapter 15

Biking, Surfing, and Searching for Solitude with RC Shaw

Buy Louisbourg or Bust on Amazon [https://amzn.to/49BKIKH]. Buy Captain Solitude on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4quV9XF]. Buy Captain Solitude on Kobo [https://click.linksynergy.com/link?id=pVxyDUThvXE&offerid=1562955.3721916600553874646802644&type=2&murl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kobo.com%2fca%2fen%2febook%2fcaptain-solitude]. In this episode, Rebecca J. Hogue sits down with RC Shaw (Ryan Shaw), author of Louisbourg or Bust and Captain Solitude, to explore the adventurous and reflective world of memoir writing. Ryan shares how honesty and vulnerability shape his stories of bikepacking and surfing along Nova Scotia’s rugged coastline, and how he balances openness with his role as a school librarian. The conversation dives into themes of solitude, free camping, and unexpected encounters—including psychic mediums and the ghost of legendary sailor Joshua Slocum. Ryan also reveals his unique writing process, from drafting longhand to collaborating with editors, and discusses the challenges of crafting authentic dialogue. The episode offers insights into the publishing journey, the evolution of book titles, and the stories left on the cutting room floor. Looking ahead, Ryan teases his next epic adventure: a walking trek across Newfoundland with his dog, a surfboard, and a copy of King Lear, blending travel, history, and literature. He even hints at a future leap into fiction. This conversation is a deep dive into creativity, risk-taking, and the art of living—and writing—more extra than ordinary. * (00:05) - Introduction to R.C. Shaw * (02:19) - The Art of Free Camping * (02:53) - Seeking Solitude on the Journey * (04:56) - Meeting Psychic Mediums * (07:43) - Writing Craft: Handwritten Drafts * (10:12) - The Challenge of Dialogue * (12:40) - Title Transformation * (16:55) - Behind the Scenes of Editing * (19:02) - The Journey of Lewisburg or Bust * (20:54) - Timelines in Traditional Publishing * (22:34) - Planning an Epic Hike * (26:56) - Embracing Isolation * (27:42) - Transitioning to Fiction