Post #2 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing and Healing – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
A Personal Look at Writing and Healing
Over the past year, many women have mentioned how the process of writing a memoir had been healing for them. So Kendra and I decided to look more closely at how writing is one avenue toward healing. We invite you to send us your story. Just email between 200-600 words (or longer if you contact us first) to: Matilda (at) WomensMemoirs (dot) com. We are interested in publishing your thoughts on writing and healing on this website — either with your name or anonymously, your choice.
Recently, we posed this question:
How do writing and healing come together for you?
to the LinkedIn Group: Women’s Memoirs. (By the way, if you are on LinkedIn and haven’t joined our group, we invite you to do so.) Below is the first story that came in.
Memoir: The Key to Recovery
Elaine Webster
Like Forest Gump who got it in his head to run one day, I started to write. At first I chronicled events as if they were candy beads on an elastic chord—the sweet interlaced with the sour. I wore the necklace dissatisfied that the beads weren’t jewels.
I stumbled upon an editor, a teacher and a friend—three magicians rolled into one. I aligned with several other kindred souls for their kind critique. My story changed shape. What I first perceived as bland now had spice—yet the recipe lacked complexity.
My search for the unknown or forgotten ingredient turned my present into my past. The similarities brought out old anxieties, obsessions and addictions—bubbling like hot lava spewing from the volcano’s crown. Maturity allowed me to research, compare, analyze and seek therapy. Through growth came clarity and I discovered what my story is about.
Elaine Webster
elaine(at)mediadesign-mds(dot)com
