The best memoirs are those where the writer has not only experienced something unique but more importantly, has the emotional maturity to analyze it and comment on it in a meaningful way. That could come at any age and I'm glad you stuck with it. I also appreciated you sharing Version 1 vs Version 9) -so many writers tweak the opening instead of starting in a whole new place with more personal resonance.
this made me laugh out loud because I just went through this phase with my revisions: “Finally, I came to the revelation that sounds obvious but is discomfiting to most memoirists: I was writing about myself.”
So many great nuggets and helpful reveals in this post.
I know it never feels like it at the time, but I think you played it so smart by resisting the "commercial narrative of victimhood/abuse" pressures. The highs are higher than life and the lows are dangerously low in any form of addiction, and love addiction is no exception! As for marketing, imagine refining TSwift so she's more waking up in blood than waxing poetic about the bad people who wronged her. Victimhood may sell more readily right now, but I bet self-reflection sells more enduringly ;)
The memoir was already written and scheduled for publication when I had coffee with Melissa Febos and she mentioned love addiction and I said “what is love addiction?” 💀💀💀
Lmao I was thinking "ongoing + increasing literary prominence" and "reflections from a life in letters" but NOW I'M ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT LEIGH WHAT'S THE DRAMA???
Thank you for describing this tightrope so honestly and eloquently: "I wanted my pain to be taken seriously, but I also didn’t want what I’d suffered to become my identity."
Nice! I think subconsciously I took risks in my 20s because I knew with my writer's ambitions and goals that I had to live an interesting life to have anything to write about. Great piece. Thank you for opening up. I will have to read your memoir now, and congrats on the Anniversary! A housekeeping note: I added tomorrow's Live to my calendar, but I have a meeting then. Will there be a replay?
Leigh, your writing is so good it makes me mad. You're a phenomenon, a force of nature. An enchantress. And an inspiration to anyone who seeks the creative life. Thank you.
The best memoirs are those where the writer has not only experienced something unique but more importantly, has the emotional maturity to analyze it and comment on it in a meaningful way. That could come at any age and I'm glad you stuck with it. I also appreciated you sharing Version 1 vs Version 9) -so many writers tweak the opening instead of starting in a whole new place with more personal resonance.
thank you for noticing!
You had me at Orinco Flow
it’s a crowd pleaser for all ages
this made me laugh out loud because I just went through this phase with my revisions: “Finally, I came to the revelation that sounds obvious but is discomfiting to most memoirists: I was writing about myself.”
So many great nuggets and helpful reveals in this post.
it doesn’t make sense why a memoirist would be surprised to discover they’re writing about themselves but I see it happen all the time!
Ok so my birthday is in January and I’m booking you for a scarf dance party set to a live performance by Enya.
I’ll start planning my costume
You truly are a writer's writer. You spoil us with the naked truth of publishing and access to insiders. Thank you.
thank you Jen!
I know it never feels like it at the time, but I think you played it so smart by resisting the "commercial narrative of victimhood/abuse" pressures. The highs are higher than life and the lows are dangerously low in any form of addiction, and love addiction is no exception! As for marketing, imagine refining TSwift so she's more waking up in blood than waxing poetic about the bad people who wronged her. Victimhood may sell more readily right now, but I bet self-reflection sells more enduringly ;)
The memoir was already written and scheduled for publication when I had coffee with Melissa Febos and she mentioned love addiction and I said “what is love addiction?” 💀💀💀
!!!! Ahhahha DEAD! And also...surely there's room in this life for more than one Leigh Stein memoir?
I’m scared to find out what could possibly happen to me that would inspire a second!!!!
Lmao I was thinking "ongoing + increasing literary prominence" and "reflections from a life in letters" but NOW I'M ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT LEIGH WHAT'S THE DRAMA???
“Reflective Dispatches from My Ongoing Literary Relevance” is printing money
You laugh but yes, actually! Yes it is!
Thank you for sharing this, Leigh. xx
Thank you for describing this tightrope so honestly and eloquently: "I wanted my pain to be taken seriously, but I also didn’t want what I’d suffered to become my identity."
Nice! I think subconsciously I took risks in my 20s because I knew with my writer's ambitions and goals that I had to live an interesting life to have anything to write about. Great piece. Thank you for opening up. I will have to read your memoir now, and congrats on the Anniversary! A housekeeping note: I added tomorrow's Live to my calendar, but I have a meeting then. Will there be a replay?
Yes! I'll send out the recording to everyone tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for reading!
Leigh, your writing is so good it makes me mad. You're a phenomenon, a force of nature. An enchantress. And an inspiration to anyone who seeks the creative life. Thank you.
aw I’m flattered, thank you!
Loved Land of Enchantment so much. Only bought it last year! It defies simple categorization and that's why it has that lasting power.
thanks Rebecca!
You and your work are impressive.
Thank you for sharing the evolution from an essay to a memoir and all of the hard work that came with it. Very illuminating!
Happy anniversary
oooof. so good. you'll always be my newsletter queen!
writer’s writer 🫡
This was a wonderful article! Thank you for your transparency.