What happens when you discover a wooden crate containing human remains under your family's lake house—and your brother becomes the primary murder suspect? In this powerful episode, author Debbie Levison shares her shocking true crime story "The Crate," which intertwines her Holocaust survivor parents' history with a present-day murder investigation. Debbie opens up about why she pivoted to fiction with her latest novel "A Novel Crime," how she copes with trauma through dark humor, and why writing fiction gives her control over chaos that real life doesn't offer. Key takeaways: the vulnerability of nonfiction writing, how Holocaust survivors reclaimed their sanctuary after violence, and why comparing yourself to other authors is universal. Perfect for true crime lovers, aspiring writers, and anyone navigating family trauma. 0:00 - Intro14:47 - Discovering the crate under lake house19:02 - Family trauma & Holocaust survivor parents24:23 - Why fiction beats nonfiction24:49 - Writing process & failed plotting25:06 - Statistics & speech pathology detour29:08 - Rascal House nostalgia29:40 - Concert pianist past29:42 - Debbie's concert pianist background31:13 - OutroRESOURCES:Dara Levan / Every Soul Has a Story:•    https://www.instagram.com/dara.levan/•    Website: daralevan.com•    https://debbielevison.com/ 

From True Crime Family Murder to Fiction Writing with Debbie Levison

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