writing

Writing Bravely

writingA friend recently sent me his opinion of The Myth of the Yellow Kitchen.
 He talks about  my being brave, which means a lot to me, but that’s not how I think about it. Really, I shared my story because I wanted to offer encouragement to others who face struggles. I hope that people enjoy what I’ve written and can learn from it too. To me, it was only natural to start writing about my life and I couldn’t really stop. He doesn’t feel the same way about writing, but I am touched that he was able to appreciate what I did.
This is what my friend wrote:
The best autobiography I’ve ever read is Growing Up, Russell Baker’s account of the years before he became anyone, or did anything readers had any reason to be interested in. By page 20 or so of The Myth of the Yellow Kitchen Baker’s book popped into my mind; I can’t offer a memoirist any higher praise than that. 
 
Your book is wonderful: fluid, funny, touching, and astonishingly brave. Another writer might envy you such an interesting and varied life, filled with travel, vivid family members, and domestic ups and downs. But bringing them to full life and making me care about them, which you have done brilliantly, takes a special gift. And the courage you show in revealing your doubts, fears, hesitations, and setbacks takes something else entirely.
Get a copy of the Myth of the Yellow Kitchen

Leave a comment