Cinda GaultCinda Gault guest of the Minute Mastery Episode 060

Blending Fact and Fiction: A Writer’s Guide & Turning History Into Story With Cinda Gault

Blending fact and fiction, my guest in episode 060 of the Minute Mastery Podcast and I, discuss tenacious women, creativity, and the stories we keep.

Have you ever wondered why some stories survive through generations while others fade into silence? Or what life was really like in the 1970s beyond the nostalgia, bright colors, and cultural myths? In today’s episode of the Minute Mastery Podcast, I sit down with author Cinda Gault, a knowledgeable and passionate storyteller who writes about tenacious women determined to live boldly, whether in 19th-century wilderness landscapes or modern urban settings.

For mompreneurs, authors, and busy creatives, this conversation offers a refreshing blend of inspiration, practical wisdom, and a deeper appreciation for why our stories matter. Whether you're writing a book, building a business, or simply trying to carve out space for creative work in a busy life, Cinda’s insights are a reminder that history is not just something we read, it’s something we create every day.

Who Is Cinda Gault?

Cinda describes herself as “a writer of stories about tenacious women who will have their adventures.” Her novels: Everything I Hope For and A Small Compass, explore feminine courage across time periods. Her work blends historical depth with emotional truth, creating characters who feel vivid, human, and deeply relatable.

But beyond her books, Cinda brings a thoughtful perspective on how stories are shaped, how memory works, and how women navigate expectations across generations. This is what makes her such a powerful guest for an audience of creative women striving to build something meaningful.

What Was It Really Like to Live in the 1970s?

One of the standout topics from the episode was Cinda’s reflection on the 1970s. The decade is often portrayed with catchy music, colorful fashion, and major cultural shifts. But Cinda invites us to go deeper.

She talks about:

  • Women's roles and expectations during the era
  • The quiet resilience behind closed doors
  • Social change that unfolded slowly, not all at once
  • The contradictions of being encouraged to “break barriers” while still being expected to behave traditionally

For mompreneurs today, her insights remind us that the freedoms we have now, working from home, building businesses, publishing independently, raising families while forging careers, were not always accessible. Understanding the women who came before us helps us appreciate our own creative journeys even more.

What Survives History… and What Doesn’t?

This episode explores one of the most thought-provoking questions in Cinda’s work:

Why do certain stories survive while others disappear?

Cinda explains that history is often shaped by those who record it, not necessarily those who lived the most interesting or meaningful lives. This is why storytelling becomes an act of preservation and resistance.

She shares how she brings forgotten or overlooked perspectives into her fiction, giving voice to women whose experiences would otherwise never appear in history books. It’s a powerful reminder to all creatives:

  1.  Your story matters, even if no one has told a story like yours before.
  2.  Your voice fills a gap in history.
  3. Your perspective is part of the cultural record you are helping shape.

For authors feeling unsure or intimidated, this message is especially empowering.

The Difference Between History and Historical Storytelling

Cinda breaks down an important distinction:

  • History is factual, linear, and concerned with events.
  • Historical storytelling is emotional, thematic, and human-centered.

Writers of historical fiction must balance accuracy with imagination. But as Cinda shares, the real heart of historical storytelling is not dates or timelines, it’s experience. What did people feel? What did they fear? What did they hope for?

This insight is a gift to every author struggling to find their voice:
You don’t need all the facts to begin writing. You need a human story.

Inside Cinda’s Novels: Tenacity, Hope, and Adventure

We also explore Cinda’s novels, each rich with historical detail and emotional depth.Everything I Hope For

This novel explores a woman navigating expectations and desire while seeking adventure beyond conventional boundaries. Cinda’s storytelling shines through her nuanced characters and layered conflicts. A Small Compass

This story blends wilderness setting, personal discovery, and the often quiet, but powerful, courage of women who forge their own paths.

For readers who love immersive fiction or authors looking for inspiration, both novels offer lessons in world-building, character development, and emotional truth. A beautiful way of blending fact and fiction!

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Advice for Busy Women Who Want to Write but Feel Overwhelmed

One of the most valuable parts of this conversation is Cinda’s encouragement to aspiring authors especially those balancing motherhood, business, and full schedules.

Here are some of her key insights:

   1. Start small, but start consistently. You don’t need hours. You need moments.

   2. Curiosity fuels creativity. Follow the questions that haunt you.

   3. Imperfect writing is better than unwritten brilliance. Perfectionism silences stories.

   4. Your life experience is part of your writing voice. No one else has lived your exact story, use that.

These reminders align perfectly with the heart of the Minute Mastery Podcast: progress over perfection, clarity over chaos, and courage over hesitation.

Final Thoughts: Why This Episode Matters

This conversation with Cinda Gault is more than a literary discussion, it’s an invitation to reclaim your creativity and trust your voice. Whether you’re writing historical fiction or starting a business, the theme is the same:

Tenacity is timeless. Women have always found ways to rise. And your story, your real, messy, beautiful story, has a place in history.

If you’re ready to start or restart your creative project, don’t miss this episode.


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