Oh HELL yes. And you will laugh and laugh as it goes along, it’s one of those hospice kneeslappers that only the veteran caregiver can completely relate to. It’s SO GOOD. I love Ariel’s reading of it too, the audio edition
This got me thinking a lot. From my life experience, all the memoirs and biographies I have read and movies I have seen, it seems every mother has called a daughter fat, dumb or ugly. What is it about mothers and daughters? Why would my ex-wife’s mother tell her she never would be a real woman unless she gave birth? No one is the person you meet. They have a story. No one knows the story unless they write a memoir. Reading about a woman’s struggles, abuse, lack of feeling loved, alcoholism, whatever, helps the reader understand and deal with their own stories.
I can’t help thinking about the movie, August: Osage County and the viciousness of Meryl Streep’s character.
The question may be, “What is it about memoirs?” Literary writing thrives on conflict, and there’s no greater crucible than the three-act family drama. I remember one time, when my darling daughter was little, she saw me writing, and said, “I want you to write a novel about ME.” “Okay,” I played along, “What would it be about?” She said, “It would be about a beautiful perfect little girl who was wonderful.” And I said, “Oh, that is very realistic, but I’m afraid it would be a VERY boring book.” LOL. And then we got out all her favorite stories from her bookshelf and she agreed she was drawn to one with great conflict, drama, villains and heroes, suspense always!
Anyway, I know your note is more to the point about how cruel people can be to each other, especially in a family where so often it is unfiltered. Moms, dads, children, grandparents, everyone. It’s such a gift to love and be loved by the ones closest to you.
You struck a nerve! I wrote a novel and had the opportunity to give the first 15 pages to a well-respected editor. “Where’s the conflict?” She wrote in the margin.
An absolutely essential piece for memoir writers, and all who talk themselves out of sharing their truth. Thank you, Ariel, for paving a path of courage.
I will be purchasing this book, as well as Ariel's earlier memoir. I and my siblings need it, I think.
Oh HELL yes. And you will laugh and laugh as it goes along, it’s one of those hospice kneeslappers that only the veteran caregiver can completely relate to. It’s SO GOOD. I love Ariel’s reading of it too, the audio edition
This got me thinking a lot. From my life experience, all the memoirs and biographies I have read and movies I have seen, it seems every mother has called a daughter fat, dumb or ugly. What is it about mothers and daughters? Why would my ex-wife’s mother tell her she never would be a real woman unless she gave birth? No one is the person you meet. They have a story. No one knows the story unless they write a memoir. Reading about a woman’s struggles, abuse, lack of feeling loved, alcoholism, whatever, helps the reader understand and deal with their own stories.
I can’t help thinking about the movie, August: Osage County and the viciousness of Meryl Streep’s character.
The question may be, “What is it about memoirs?” Literary writing thrives on conflict, and there’s no greater crucible than the three-act family drama. I remember one time, when my darling daughter was little, she saw me writing, and said, “I want you to write a novel about ME.” “Okay,” I played along, “What would it be about?” She said, “It would be about a beautiful perfect little girl who was wonderful.” And I said, “Oh, that is very realistic, but I’m afraid it would be a VERY boring book.” LOL. And then we got out all her favorite stories from her bookshelf and she agreed she was drawn to one with great conflict, drama, villains and heroes, suspense always!
Anyway, I know your note is more to the point about how cruel people can be to each other, especially in a family where so often it is unfiltered. Moms, dads, children, grandparents, everyone. It’s such a gift to love and be loved by the ones closest to you.
You struck a nerve! I wrote a novel and had the opportunity to give the first 15 pages to a well-respected editor. “Where’s the conflict?” She wrote in the margin.
Got to hook the reader with it early.
Thank you for writing to me.
An absolutely essential piece for memoir writers, and all who talk themselves out of sharing their truth. Thank you, Ariel, for paving a path of courage.
Wonderful writing.