"OK. I laughed about the friend who said they'd check the book out of the library. I once had another WRITER friend tell me that. And I thought, wow, what an insult. Ah but the beauty of shared commiseration. Thanks for this post."
Marybeth Holleman's Groups
Marybeth Holleman's Page
Latest Activity
Marybeth Holleman commented on the blog post '[TIPS OF THE TRADE]: Are You a World-Changer?'
"Oh I'm just delighted with this post, and with finding all of you here who are, like me, activist writers. I have also written about this EB White quote, and about finding the balance between art and activism. I do believe that art brings about…"
Marybeth Holleman commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"Thanks, Julie. Writing fiction is certainly one way to go. And sometimes, for writing a piece of nonfiction that feels scarey to approach, I've had students write it in third person ("she") so as to give a bit of distance that allows…"
Julie Christensen commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"MaryBeth, Thank you for posting this wonderful essay. It's triggered a lovely discussion in the comments, too! In spite of some parental bragging among authors, there are also a lot of bloggers who write beautifully frank posts…"
Caryl commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"I'll give that a try- writing as if no one will ever read it. I've gotten that advice before: "Just get it written," so maybe it's time to pay attention and do it. Honestly, though, I do hope it will be read someday by other…"
Jennifer Van Santvoord liked Marybeth Holleman's blog post My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids
Julie Luek left a comment for Marybeth Holleman
"Following your blog too and looking forward to reading. :)"
Julie Luek left a comment for Marybeth Holleman
"Thanks for the friend invite, Marybeth. I'm so happy to walk in the encouragement and support of other writers. Julie"
Kathleen Varn left a comment for Marybeth Holleman
"Thanks Marybeth for adding me. I'm kind of new to the She Writes but like to pop on now and then to see where other writers are in their process and pick up tips here and there. Went to Alaska a few summers ago and found it fascinating. Nothing…"
Marybeth Holleman commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"Kate, Thanks - yes, so important to remember, as Caroline said, "Write with freedom but edit with care." I've had so many students get stuck listening to their editor-selves before they've even written one word. Turn off the…"
Kate Hopper commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"Marybeth, thanks so much for posting your wonderful talk. What a pleasure to be on a panel with such amazing writers. Caryl and Julie, I think it's helpful to make a distinction between writing and publishing. We can write whatever we want,…"
Kate Hopper liked Marybeth Holleman's blog post My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids
Julie Luek commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"I think writing about motherhood would be so very difficult because it requires such a contradiction in values. The need to be honest and transparent and the fierce, mother-bear instinct to protect and shield our kids from the eyes and…"
Kathy Purc liked Marybeth Holleman's blog post My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids
Caryl commented on the blog post 'My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids'
"I started a memoir about raising a son with Borderline Personality Disorder but abruptly stopped because he did and said some terrible things that I'm sure he wouldn't want the world to know about. I'm stuck. I have this undeniable…"
Profile Information
- Who I am:
- I was raised in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and transplanted to Alaska's Chugach Mountains just after college. I've written a few books and published essays, articles, and poems in periodicals such as Orion, North American Review, Christian Science Monitor, Sierra, and Alaska Quarterly Review, in anthologies including The Future of Nature, Solo, The Seacoast Reader, and American Nature Writing, and on NPR. I've taught creative writing and women’s studies at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and write for nonprofits on environmental issues, from polar bears to oil spills.
- Connect with me online! My site, blog, or Twitter handle are:
- www.marybethholleman.com
- Books I've written, anthologies I've contributed to, and any scripts or plays I've authored:
- The Heart Of The Sound: An Alaskan Paradise Found And Nearly Lost (Literary Nonfiction) University of Nebraska Press, 2011. (originally published in hardcover by University of Utah Press, 2004.)
Crosscurrents North: Alaskans On The Environment (Anthology, Poetry And Essays) Co-Editor with Anne Coray. University of Alaska Press, 2008.
Alaska's Prince William Sound Alaska Northwest Books. 2000.
“In the Name of Restoration,” The Future of Nature. Ed. Barry Lopez. Milkweed, 2007.
“Day of Listening.” Going Alone. Ed. Susan Fox Rogers. Seattle: Seal Press, 2004.
“The View Helps Me Know Where I Am.” Under Northern Lights: Writers and Artists View the
Alaskan Landscape. Ed. Frank Soos & Kesler Woodward. U Washington P, 2000.
"Looking Over the Edge,” Wild Moments. Ed. Michael Engelhard. U Alaska P, 2009.
- My writing is:
- Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Memoir, Blog Posts, Lit Crit
- Outlets where I review books, TV, or film:
- WAM, ISLE
- Services I offer to other writers:
- Available for talks and classes on environmental writing, writing and activism, memoir, poetry. Book reviews.
- I'm part of these writers' groups or salons:
- 49 Writers, AROHO
- I found out about She Writes from:
- AROHO
Marybeth Holleman's Blog
My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Our Kids
Posted on March 25, 2013 at 3:30pm 15 Comments 9 Likes
A recent book review in the New York Times began with this: “No subject offers a greater opportunity for terrible writing than motherhood.”
That review reminds me that writing about mothering is just like mothering itself – fraught with judgement, whether it’s from family or neighbors or the media. It’s right up there with education as media’s go-to when we’re not in the midst of an election or scandal or disaster or tragedy.
And so, at the Associated Writing Program’s annual…
Continue My Son is Perfect: An AWP Panel
Posted on February 26, 2013 at 9:44pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
I'll be joined by Hope Edelman, Kate Hopper, and Caroline Grant at AWP in Boston on Saturday, March 9 for our panel presentation and lively discussion of "My Son is Perfect: How to Write (Honestly) About Your Own Kids." I came up with the idea for this panel because this is something I've struggled with. My kid - I adore him - and when he was little, well, I thought he was - perfect. So, how to write honestly? Space. Closeness and Distance. Come to our panel, or stay tuned here for more.…
ContinueComment Wall (15 comments)
- At 11:17am on March 29, 2013,
Julie Luek said… Following your blog too and looking forward to reading. :)
- At 11:14am on March 29, 2013, Julie Luek said…
Thanks for the friend invite, Marybeth. I'm so happy to walk in the encouragement and support of other writers. Julie
- At 9:57am on March 29, 2013,
Kathleen Varn said… Thanks Marybeth for adding me. I'm kind of new to the She Writes but like to pop on now and then to see where other writers are in their process and pick up tips here and there. Went to Alaska a few summers ago and found it fascinating. Nothing like it in the US.
- At 1:20pm on January 13, 2013,
Daphne Q said… Hi, Marybeth... thanks for friend request. What an interesting life you lead. How's Alaska these days? I've been writing a blog about my quest to write and self-publish my first book... it's at daphneq.com, if you're interested
- At 5:27am on April 17, 2012,
Marilyn Bousquin said… Hi, Marybeth. I'll think on it and get back to you. Meanwhile, you may want to check out Kate Hopper's amazing Motherhood & Words at www.motherhoodandwords.com She convened a motherhood and writing panel at AWP in Chicago and is very clear about the importance of motherhood literature. Enjoy! Marilyn
- At 10:18am on April 16, 2012, Marilyn Bousquin said…
Hi, Marybeth. What is the specific aspect of writing and motherhood that you're proposing for AWP? I always find the motherhood panels the deepest, truest, and most illuminating.
- At 7:38am on March 29, 2012,
Meg Waite Clayton said… >That's great you were a finalist for the Bellweather Prize - that's such a great prize Kingsolver started.
Indeed!
- At 7:26am on March 29, 2012, Meg Waite Clayton said…
Waving a friendly hello, Marybeth!
- At 8:54pm on March 24, 2012,
maggie brooke said…
hey, marybeth, i'm pretty new to she writes, as well, but i'm enjoying it immensely. it's a great way to be linked to other writers around the world. i live in australia but had a mad chidlhood love affair with alaska which cooled off after i lived in maine and realized i hate the cold! cheers! maggie brooke
- At 9:16am on March 21, 2012, Meg Waite Clayton said…
Marybeth, We're delighted to have you in the novelist group! You might introduce yourself by telling us what you’re working on in the “Show Me Your Novel and I’ll Show You Mine” discussion if you're not too uncomfortable talking about what you're working on. We save the wall for discussion, so please refrain from linking to blog posts there, but do add them in the “Links to Helpful Blog Posts for Writers” discussion thread.
And we do a live chat on Fridays at 3EST; instructions on how to participate are in the "Our Water Cooler" box near the top of the group page.
Meg Waite Clayton
Novelist Group Moderator
Bestselling Author of The Four Ms. Bradwells, The Wednesday Sisters, and The Language of Light, a finalist for Barbara Kingsolver's Bellwether Prize
Latest Activity
Kate Powell commented on the group 'Novelists (Struggling or Not)'"We also outline soem critical steps toward the ending and the ending. I see it like a director mapping out the scenes, though they may change. Also, I never quite finish a chapter so that I can pick up mid-point, which helps my train of…"
Meg Waite Clayton commented on the group 'Novelists (Struggling or Not)'"Jumping in on the jumping ahead to the ending conversation, I do a version of this, which is to outline to the ending after I have about three chapters, so I have an idea where I'm going. I sometimes change directions, but I find it comforting…"
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