"I'd given up on this memoir, but for some reason I opened up the file one day a couple of years ago. The story still compelled me, so I thought I'd try to publish parts of it..."
I love this. I also made a mid-life leap and quit my job to write (in my 40s, a little later than Maureen). I don't see that story represented very often, and it's inspiring to read about how she made it work. I so identify with her advice to herself: "Do not be away from writers and writing. You become ungrounded. You become sad and approach depression. Remember this forever."
Thank you so very much for sharing your writing path and experience. And congrats for your third publication!
After a tough day yesterday where tears finally landed on my journal page after a month hiatus, this morning your therapists words hit my psyche with bell-ringing clarity. “Do not be away from writers and writing. You become ungrounded. You become sad and approach depression. Remember this forever." Thank you!
Also, I love your writing mantra “you can make it better.”
Congratulations on not giving up on the memoir and it finally getting published. Hoorah! this was a wonderful interview, with lots to think about. Thank you.
Wise words from Maureen about writing as if nobody is ever going to read your work. Just did a post on this myself. I see a lot of would-be memoir writers grapple with this. Writing something deeply resonant starts with telling yourself that this is your story, written just for you.
Agreed! I am nearing the end of a first draft in which I gave myself exactly that directive—just get it all out there and worry about the consequences and reactions later. “It’s just for me,” I’ve kept saying. And it’s been one of the most integrative, vital writing experiences of my life.
I love thinking of swimming as writing time. I make my living as a massage therapist, and wouldn't you know the best ideas come to me when I'm in the zone, giving a massage? This piece does make me want to get back to work (writing, that is). Thanks for the thoughtful questions and answers. I've always loved to read about people's processes. <3
I'm very glad this memoir came to fruition after all the decades of difficulty and that others realize that publishing memoir can be very hard no matter how great they are. This one is good and still look at the difficulties Maureen has faced and perhaps finally the luck it took to make the memoir come to light. Timing can be a bitch.
It’s such a deeply moving, wise, and beautiful book! Made more powerful by the years of revision since it was first written. This conversation makes me want to get to the desk and write, as Stanton’s words almost always do <3
I love this. I also made a mid-life leap and quit my job to write (in my 40s, a little later than Maureen). I don't see that story represented very often, and it's inspiring to read about how she made it work. I so identify with her advice to herself: "Do not be away from writers and writing. You become ungrounded. You become sad and approach depression. Remember this forever."
Yes, I love that!
Maureen,
Thank you so very much for sharing your writing path and experience. And congrats for your third publication!
After a tough day yesterday where tears finally landed on my journal page after a month hiatus, this morning your therapists words hit my psyche with bell-ringing clarity. “Do not be away from writers and writing. You become ungrounded. You become sad and approach depression. Remember this forever." Thank you!
Also, I love your writing mantra “you can make it better.”
Congratulations on not giving up on the memoir and it finally getting published. Hoorah! this was a wonderful interview, with lots to think about. Thank you.
Wise words from Maureen about writing as if nobody is ever going to read your work. Just did a post on this myself. I see a lot of would-be memoir writers grapple with this. Writing something deeply resonant starts with telling yourself that this is your story, written just for you.
Agreed! I am nearing the end of a first draft in which I gave myself exactly that directive—just get it all out there and worry about the consequences and reactions later. “It’s just for me,” I’ve kept saying. And it’s been one of the most integrative, vital writing experiences of my life.
I'm so glad to hear it, Lisa!
I love thinking of swimming as writing time. I make my living as a massage therapist, and wouldn't you know the best ideas come to me when I'm in the zone, giving a massage? This piece does make me want to get back to work (writing, that is). Thanks for the thoughtful questions and answers. I've always loved to read about people's processes. <3
Thanks for this inspiring interview full of authenticity and useful resources. I just loved it!
So good to hear.
I'm very glad this memoir came to fruition after all the decades of difficulty and that others realize that publishing memoir can be very hard no matter how great they are. This one is good and still look at the difficulties Maureen has faced and perhaps finally the luck it took to make the memoir come to light. Timing can be a bitch.
It’s such a deeply moving, wise, and beautiful book! Made more powerful by the years of revision since it was first written. This conversation makes me want to get to the desk and write, as Stanton’s words almost always do <3