Strategies for Navigating Traumatic Memories In Your Memoir

Send us Fan Mail TW: Mention of Sexual Assault In this episode, you’ll hear from Deborah Svec-Carstens, a writer working on a memoir that details her journey of healing after trauma. In this episode: Writing about trauma and recounting hard memories. Three reasons why we struggle to write about feelings The impact trauma has on our memories and emotions Writing speculative scenes Writing around your toughest experiences The benefit of studying other writers Resources Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown Hunger by Roxanne Gay Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul by Sue William Silverman After the Eclipse by Sarah Perry My Interview with Sarah Perry A Hard Silence by Melanie Brooks My Interview with Melanie Brooks Playing with Dynamite by Sharon Harrigan Deborah’s Bio: Deborah Svec-Carstens is a writer, spiritual director, and “recovering” lawyer who has written a memoir about her search for healing after a stranger sexually assaulted her in Paris. Her writing has appeared in the Des Moines Register and has been named a finalist in essay contests. In February 2024, she appeared before more than 1,200 people as part of The Des Moines Storytellers Project and told her story of creating community in the aftermath of rape. Deborah lives in West Des Moines, Iowa. She enjoys reading (especially at the beach), hiking, and singing soprano in a local community choir. Connect with Deborah Website: https://www.deborahsveccarstens.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deborah.sveccarstens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborah.sveccarstens/ Building Better Memoir Scenes: https://janefriedman.com/building-better-memoir-scenes-with-lisa-cooper-ellison/ Connect with your host, Lisa: Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/ Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn Produced by Espresso Podcast Production