Writing Through Grief: Turning Loss into Honest Storytelling and Craft | John DeDakis

On The Soul Mirror with host Shreya, award-winning novelist, former White House correspondent, and longtime CNN editor John DeDakis explains how to write through grief with clarity and courage. We cover first-draft flow, using the subconscious, reframing personal pain through fictional characters, the value of journaling, and why sharing work with beta readers reduces isolation. This is a practical, no-fluff guide for writers, creators, and anyone navigating loss who wants tools that work.

About the guest:

John DeDakis is an award-winning novelist, former White House correspondent, and longtime CNN editor turned writing coach. Across six novels, he weaves themes of grief and loss into propulsive stories, mentoring writers to turn lived experience into authentic narrative.

Key takeaways:

• Start where it’s natural: draft in first person to bypass perfectionism and get the story out.

• Mine your subconscious with “what if” questions; revise for craft later.

• Reframe pain through fictional characters—facts can change, emotions stay true.

• Courage follows action: write despite fear; confidence grows from doing.

• Keep a journal to capture a real-time emotional record you can’t reconstruct later.

• Journalism habits—deadlines and concise prose—sharpen pacing and clarity in fiction.

• Control momentum with rhythm: vary sentence length, scene intensity, and narrative “breath.”

• Grief is individual: people respond to the same trigger differently; avoid comparison.

• Beta readers widen perspective, counter isolation, and strengthen structure and stakes.

• Plot meticulously or “pants” your way—either is valid if it serves the story.

How to connect with the guest:

Website: johndedakis.com

Writing/Coaching inquiries: via website contact page.

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