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Lorelei Jonason's avatar

I have definitely had the thought that I'd become a successful fantasy author first, and then write a memoir. I had the attitude that if the first book someone writes is a memoir, and they aren't known for something other than writing books already, there's no reason for anyone to care about that person and their life's story. Back then I had very little compassion for myself, and that bled over into having less compassion for others than I wish I'd had.

The whole idea of my current newsletter is that my life as it has happened is as important to share as my imaginary life. My fantasy writing is inspired by my lived experiences. The pain of what I've gone through has always seeped into my writing, even when that was high fantasy and seemingly completely separate from reality as we know it. I have always loved getting the context of a work of art with the art itself, and so I've decided to start sharing the context for my work.

Now my stance is, how cruel it is to give voice to the imaginary characters inside your head, and not to give yourself a voice.

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Randy Susan Meyers's avatar

Wonderful piece, Meta. I think those willing to expose their darkest places are the very bravest. They offer us a 'yes...me too.' We nod in sisterhood, brotherhood, or in an empathy we'd never find elsewhere.

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