Family Matters: The Ethics, Challenges & Rewards of Writing About Family
An animated conversation about the difficult and sometimes dangerous waters of memoir writing, and why it can be worth the (very real) risks
Gustav Klimt's Death and Life (1910-1915) famous painting
This spring, I have a new literary essay coming out in Ilanot Review. It’s called “The Cost” and I’m excited to share it with you because it outlines, in precise and vivid detail, the painful reactions I’ve dealt with since choosing to talk (and write) openly about my experience of early childhood sexual abuse. I don’t want to say more about that essay until it goes live, because, well, spoilers.
But I do want to share, now—in the lead-up to the publication of “The Cost”—the recording of a truly fantastic conversation I had last year with Laura Davis (The Courage to Heal, The Burning Light of Two Stars), which is full of valuable information and context for anyone anywhere who’s ever considered—even for a moment—the idea of writing personal essay or memoir.
I hope you find value in this free recorded conversation! I’m also happy to answer your questions about this topic in the comments on this post. Please ask anything that’s on your mind. This is a topic of utmost importance to me. Telling the truth about what happened to me in childhood ultimately saved my life by allowing me to become my whole self. I would want that for anyone, despite that it has not been easy. So, ask away. I care about this topic, and I care about you. Thank you for being here.