Post #8 – Women’s Memoirs, Book Raves – Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
Award-winning author Susan Tweit’s memoir is a treasure trove of insights to help us personally in our own lives as well as to help us as we write our memoirs. In her book, Susan makes a statement that we can probably all relate to. She writes, “I’m gender female and we tend to everyone else before tending to ourselves.” We may all know this, but what actions do we take to ensure we’ve fed ourselves emotionally and physically so that we continue to be able to address the needs of others?
As you will read in Walking Nature Home, Susan needed to learn how to take care of herself when she was diagnosed with an untreatable autoimmune disease at the age of 23. Her memoir takes us through her struggles, her heartbreaking experiences and her triumphs. She is living a life that has been earned against the odds that would have her long since dead. She inspires us to value our lives.
“When I am stuck,” Susan writes, “and cannot dig myself out of my problem, I go home to nature.” As memoir writers, Susan’s words can help us look for our own way to dig ourselves out of our problems in writing our memoirs. Look inside yourself for your passions and use them to inspire you in your writing.
One final point about Walking Nature Home. When you read it, look at Susan’s story structure device. I think it may give you ideas for how to organize your story.
By the way, did you listen to our interview with Susan Tweit? If not, here’s the link. She provided valuable information about the writing process and it’s definitely worth your time to hear her remarks.
