Where’s The Lie? Or How to Be True to Yourself in Memoir Writing

In a true roundtable discussion, Joy and episode co-hosts, Amah Edoh, Sonia Alejandra Rodriquez, and Hadassah K. Williams speak with the writer, Dr. Camille U. Adams, about her emotionally resonant work that is largely set in her home country, Trinidad and Tobago. 

 

This episode explores discovery in the process of memoir writing, what it’s like to write about a toxic mother, the issue of representation when writing about your country for non-natives, and a favorite podcast topic: how to care for oneself through the writing process. 

 

We discuss:

 

1. Integrity i.e. “being real with yourself” during the writing process
2. Distance and perspective in memoir writing
3. Making sure that participation in literary communities isn’t exploitative
4. What does it mean to make discovery a part of your writing practice 
5. So many things that don’t fit easily into a list!

 

How to Be Unmothered (Pre-Order!) 

 

How to Be Unmothered (excerpt)

 

In The Belly Of The Earth: Poems, Short Stories & Memoir by Camille U. Adams 

 

Designated Rememberer by Camille U. Adams

 

Special thanks to all who attended: Amah Edoh, Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez, Hadassah K. Williams, DeeDee Mitchell, Virginia Piegnot, Exetta Harris, and Rekia. And thank you to the one and only Mat "Mat Mat" Poirot for editing and production help and our lovely logo design.