I attended a conference for James River Writer’s that hosts an annual conference in Richmond, VA.
The Executive Director, Katherine Herndon, of James River Writers happens to have been Charles’ English teacher. In fact, she was one of his favorite teachers.
As I was looking over the conference registration, I decided I might like to be a sponsor and Katherine thought the interview with author, Melissa Febos, was a good fit. She was right.
This interview was meaningful, soul searching, and I loved what Melissa had to say about writing memoir–basically that once that door opens, the story will stalk you until you write it. Or something like that. I believe her phrase was far more articulate. But it’s late right now and that’s all I got in the word bank.
That’s what my book did. Stalked me.
I wrote it in my head long before I could tackle it as a project because my grief after Charles’ suicide was still too raw. There were times writing it did consume me and I had to take a breather so I could regroup and dive in again later. It was agonizing and cathartic, agonizing and cathartic.
My tragic genius, Charles, said in one of his songs, “I wondered if it was possible for a soul to bleed inside.” I can say without a doubt it is. The good news is that a lot of healing happens when you confront your story face to face.
Melissa came up to me before her interview and expressed a heartfelt thank you for sponsoring and I was really glad I did. Her two published books have received a lot of awards and praise and to think that twelve years ago she was suffering with addiction to heroin. I can’t help but feel hope for others struggling.
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Melissa is author of Whip Smart and her latest, Abandon Me. You can find out more about her at MelissaFebos.com. I encourage you to read both or one of her books. I am.
So glad you were able to sponsor and that the conference was helpful. Sounds great…
It was really great. Every bit as good as the one in NY. Which I enjoyed a lot, too. Probably more agents at the N.Y. one since they don’t have to travel.