The Women Writing Memoir Publication is Born!

I channeled my deep sadness into action.

Yesterday was a sad day. One of the saddest days in my life putting down my best furry friend, my cat Fluffy.

Today, though, I got up feeling peaceful with renewed energy.

I am taking PRODUCTIVE ACTION which feels like the best way to deal with my grief.

I heard that when you are grieving (over a loved one or pet or anything else) it is normal and justifiable to be sad. The key is to not let the sadness overwhelm you and take you down into a depression.

In my past, I might just lay here wallowing in the grief.

NEW INSPIRATION HIT ME

Funny, but I got a new inspiration, just yesterday, one day after my heart was ripped open, to start a new Memoir Writing Publication for Women on medium.

I got the idea to start a Medium group for Women Memoir Writers after being inspired by a group called: Womens Writing Sisterhood. Writing Women’s Lives/Excavate Your Truth-Free Your Voice. A Conscious Writing Program for Women Who Are Done with Silence.

It sounded nifty to me!

Here is the quote from this group that inspired me most:

“What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life? The world would split open…” — Muriel Rukeyser

The class is all about Authentic Writing which of course… I’m ALL FOR!(I mean, who wants to do INAUTHENTIC writing? heh)

I have been working on my showbiz survival memoir for 3 years now and I feel it is my ‘calling’ to get this vulnerable authentic book out into the world.

I’ve run into a few snags over the years with this memoir. I put it on the back burner to let it ‘simmer’ — many times — thinking it wasn’t the right time. I wasn’t ready.

I looked into signing up for this class but it was not in my budget. I’m a writer on a very tight budget, so I thought “Hey, Why not start something similar on medium?”

GENIUS??

I’ve heard this quote about book writing:

“Write the book that YOU would like to read”!

SOOO hey, maybe I should

…start the group I’D LIKE to be in?

I found that there were so many wonderful inspiring women writers on medium (and elsewhere) who are writing painful/empowering stories from their childhood.

My idea was to start a group for women writing memoirs where we could get together, in a safe space to support each other through the writing process and write the ‘hard to tell’ vulnerable stories.

I had looked for some memoir writing groups on Medium but hadn’t found too many.

I felt this type of medium group could fill a niche — a void on medium. The #metoo movement has given many women the courage and strength to open up their hearts minds and notebooks recently. I think memoir writing for many of these women has also become a healing way to deal with their past, pain and shame.

“In writing our story, it becomes a part of who we are both publicly and privately, losing its potency and power to rip us apart from within. It ceases to be the thing we battle within the dark but is a telling of how we exist in the light.” — Memoir Workshop Member

Here are a few comments from workshop members who wrote about their trauma in a memoir:

“I couldn’t write about my abuse at the hands of a mother with sociopathy. Because of this, I hadn’t been able to write about anything”

“My story needed to breathe so I could do the same. Still, my most meaningful writing to date is that first piece that allowed me to breathe, to begin the path to writing with veracious honesty. “

TRAUMA WRITING IS BENEFICIAL

Much of memoir writing has to do with some sort of trauma. In this group we will of course be writing about traumatic events, which is valuable.

“Well-crafted trauma writing has a long history through such literary greats as Eli Wiesel, Maya Angelou, and Joan Didio to name a few.

Writing, such as theirs, speaks a universal truth which helps survivors feel less alone and less freakish, while encouraging those fortunate enough to have grown up in loving environments to gain a much-needed empathy.”

If this isn’t the purpose of high literature, I’m not sure what is.

So, I began researching “HOW to start a medium publication?’

I reached out to 5 wonderful women writers on medium. All immediately said ‘YES. Count me in!”

WOOHOO. So, maybe this IS a good idea!?

We then brainstormed ideas for a name for the group. Ideas like:

Women’s Writing Forum SOS Secrets of Our Sisters Soul Sisters Secrets The Soul of Sisters Women Writing Memoir Women Memoir Writers

I’ve decided on the simple name Women Writing Memoir because it seems the shortest simplest name. It gets to the point in 3 words.

Here is the Publication description:

“What would happen if one woman told the truth about her life?” — Muriel Laugemer. This is a safe group for women to support, encourage and empower each other thorough all stages of the Memoir Writing Process. Beginner Memoir writers to seasoned are welcomed. FREE YOUR VOICE!

So, after a horrible day I channeled and redirected my intense sadness into something positive.

I think by delving into this new life-affirming project I am honoring’the memory of my girl. I feel like she is somehow egging me on (from wherever she is now) saying: “ HEY mom, don’t wallow in sadness. Go be happy… do productive stuff !”

So that’s what I decided to do.

It feels great to channel grief into action!

I’m excited to have on board some wonderfullll women writers who have eagerly and kindly agreed to be a part of this new concept.

Thank you all!

Shae Jackson Christina Hausauer Jae Hermann Cheney Meaghan Glenna Gill Skye Presley Robin Klammer Stefani Vader Laura Mohsene

You all ROCK! I am looking forward to our new venture together. Thanks for starting out in the trenches with me.

A fellow memoir writer/memoir coach said to me when I confided in her how shitty it felt to write my memoir:

“Memoir is NOT for sissies!”

I believe this is true. (So, I decided to use this as our publication tagline!hah)

I believe we can work through the memoir writing process together, supporting each other through this sometimes painful journey. That is my hope by starting this publication.

If you are interested in being a part of this group you can email me at: [email protected] or [email protected] respond below in the comments.

THANKS FOR READING! www.michellemonet.com