I just found you via @Subsrtackwritersatwork and found this essay. My copy of Body Work just arrived yesterday! I haven't even cracked the cover yet ( life!) but now I am more excited to begin having read your post. My absentee parent was my mother and I have grown more and more vocal about it for the reasons you mention. I find the more I speak of her and my story, the more people reach out and say... me, too.. and thank you. This is powerful work we share! <3
Hi Mary! This is so exciting to me. Please do share your thoughts after you read it! I think it will resonate quite a bit, given what you've shared.
Oof. An absent mother would be so hard. It's just so confusing, isn't it? It doesn't make sense. And as a parent, I'm even more confused. But being able to write about it is a gift, and so is connecting with people like you. Thank you for the note. Happy reading and writing! ❤️
I’m pretty sure the new book is all about celibacy. Girlhood gave me permission to take a sex timeout, gave me pause about my youth and reframed raising a daughter. No writer informs my work more and also makes me feel like now I can’t write my book. I went to the Port Townsend Writers Conference last summer expressly for her and she did not disappoint. She never does.
we are definitely kindred spirits! I lost your comment on Writers at Work office party today. But here is my work in case you ever want to collaborate. I got to take a class from Melissa Febos two years ago and I was very star struck! https://camillebrightsmith.substack.com/
Camille@bloginsong.com. Why don’t you reach out after you’ve recovered from AWP. Or just send me a note now and I’ll check in with you in a week or two and we can chat or email or zoooooom. I bet you are having an amazing time. More kindred spirits for you at AWP - do you know Ariel Gore? Book fair table T949.
Hi! Omg I just met Melissa an hour ago at AWP! She’s just incredible. No surprise that she was very eloquent and poetic with every answer on her panel!
“As it turns out, I can live without him; I have my whole life. But writing? Not a chance.” Oof hit so close to home here, Kolina. So many wonderful reminders in this piece 💕✨
I just found you via @Subsrtackwritersatwork and found this essay. My copy of Body Work just arrived yesterday! I haven't even cracked the cover yet ( life!) but now I am more excited to begin having read your post. My absentee parent was my mother and I have grown more and more vocal about it for the reasons you mention. I find the more I speak of her and my story, the more people reach out and say... me, too.. and thank you. This is powerful work we share! <3
Hi Mary! This is so exciting to me. Please do share your thoughts after you read it! I think it will resonate quite a bit, given what you've shared.
Oof. An absent mother would be so hard. It's just so confusing, isn't it? It doesn't make sense. And as a parent, I'm even more confused. But being able to write about it is a gift, and so is connecting with people like you. Thank you for the note. Happy reading and writing! ❤️
Melissa Febos is the real deal. This book is my bible. The end.
It’s everything. Have you read girlhood? That’s next on my list. Also when I chatted with her at AWP she mentioned something coming in 2025 🥹
I’m pretty sure the new book is all about celibacy. Girlhood gave me permission to take a sex timeout, gave me pause about my youth and reframed raising a daughter. No writer informs my work more and also makes me feel like now I can’t write my book. I went to the Port Townsend Writers Conference last summer expressly for her and she did not disappoint. She never does.
Ok wow. I love the reframing raising your daughter. You’ll have to tell me about it sometime. Yes, she really is wonderful. So eloquent and SO smart.
we are definitely kindred spirits! I lost your comment on Writers at Work office party today. But here is my work in case you ever want to collaborate. I got to take a class from Melissa Febos two years ago and I was very star struck! https://camillebrightsmith.substack.com/
PS would love to collab! Let’s talk!
Camille@bloginsong.com. Why don’t you reach out after you’ve recovered from AWP. Or just send me a note now and I’ll check in with you in a week or two and we can chat or email or zoooooom. I bet you are having an amazing time. More kindred spirits for you at AWP - do you know Ariel Gore? Book fair table T949.
Hi! Omg I just met Melissa an hour ago at AWP! She’s just incredible. No surprise that she was very eloquent and poetic with every answer on her panel!
Just subscribed. Thank you for connecting!
“As it turns out, I can live without him; I have my whole life. But writing? Not a chance.” Oof hit so close to home here, Kolina. So many wonderful reminders in this piece 💕✨
Gahhh. I’m sorry you know what it feels like. Thank you so much. 💚
Writing can guide us through all kinds of trauma. The page is a safe space to be heard. ~ I never had a father, so, in many ways, I understand you.
Yes, it can be so therapeutic for both writers and readers. Thank you for seeing me 🥹