June Member of the Month, Sandi Neito. Q & A with Laura Engel
LE: Have you always been a writer, Sandi?
SN: No. I’ve been an extrovert talker most of my life, not a writer.
LE: How did you discover SDMWA?
SN: My husband, Manuel suggested I take the Memoir Class with Marni and Tracy, as a creative outlet to find out if my story was worthy of a Memoir. Then in the year of 2019 I began the first six weeks of classes at Liberty Station and after that rainy afternoon, I attended my first SDMWA meeting right after my class. I believe Huda Al-Marashi presented her first hard cover book, First Comes Marriage. It seemed daunting. All of her obstacles laid out in front of us. I have learned a great deal since that first meeting. From every speaker that has spoken, I’ve gathered some bit of wisdom.
LE: Have you been taking writing classes/workshops and are you in any writing groups? If so where and have they made a big impact on your writing?
SN: I attended a Journaling class with Joyce Chapman, M.A., at the Coronado Public Library. Some of my classmates stated my writing was the making of a good story, perhaps a book. I truly had my doubts. At the beginning of 2020 I was taking a Read and Critique class with Tracy Jones that was truly beneficial to my confidence. All my co-readers added to my support.
In addition, I attended the first Writers Festival San Diego, April 13, 2019, where I once again met my helpful therapist of many years ago, Dr. Edith Ava Eger on a panel “Meet the Author” about her book, THE CHOICE. I also enjoyed the evening performances of past Memoir Showcase Live.
LE: Please tell us about your work and your memoir.
SN: I worked in the Business Fields, Union Bank, Real Estate Department in Downtown San Diego. Travelled to Utah to ski for one season, stayed two years, worked there as an Escrow Officer for a Title Company. Travelled in Europe with my husband for six months before starting a family.
I believe my Memoir is about: A little girl that was abandoned by her real father when she was only two and a half years old. Her mother married a step-father who was a psychopath. She lived under his control for nearly ten years, until he also left her. She didn’t miss his absence. She was set free to a world that opened her eyes and gave her grace. Secrets were kept and life changed after the death of her mother in 1988. She was on a quest for answers to all her questions. Presently she could say her memories came back with the “Trigger of Trump”, however she doesn’t want to give him (Trump) credit for anything. The Gaslighting techniques give her a deeper insight of how she was manipulated during her childhood, by her step father. There is a moment of clarity in taking her power back. She learned resilience.
LE: Sandi, You were a winner in the 2019 Memoir Showcase with your scene We Had The Dog Tags All Along ( Congratulations!) Please tell us about that experience.
SN: How does a beginner get the Showcase out of the Gate? It was not my writing, it was the story. Tracy and Marni helped immensely pulling out the beginning, middle and finally the resolution. I had to apologize to my middle sister, the missionary, for cutting her whole story line. I felt so supportive by my teachers and all my children, as well as other family members who came that evening to support me. Oh, and the elegant actress, Leigh Ellen Akin delivered my story so beautifully. I am so grateful.
LE: What are some of your favorite Memoirs? Your favorite Authors?
SN: Out of Africa, by Karen Blixen , Educated, by Tara Westover, The Choice, Embrace the Possible, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, In Pieces, by Sally Field
LE: Any advice for new writers?
SN: Go for it. It is never too late. I feel old and my story may not fit in current data or the Urban Environment. However, when I see Dr. Edith Eva Eger, a Holocaust Survivor, published her first book at age 90, it gives me hope.
LE: Thank you so much Sandi and thanks for being a fantastic member.Congratulations for being chosen as our Member of the Month for June 2020!