Muse & the Marketplace 2019

Memoir writing often stems from (or is steeped) in #MeToo-themed trauma, like harassment, assault, abuse, or incest. But what does it mean to write those stories in nonfiction, and move through the steps of sharing them with the world? In this discussion, we will examine various contemporary memoirs where authors have written about such hard truths. We will tackle questions like: How do details function in the writing of traumatic histories and stories? What personal identifying markers should I include? How much psychic distance is necessary in writing these stories? What is the potential backlash, both online and in person, and how can I mitigate this or be prepared? Come prepared for a frank and important discussion.