5th Annual San Diego Memoir Showcase Memoir Showcase Winners: Q & A with Chili Cilch & Susan J. Farese

SJF: In a nutshell – tell about your winning memoir piece for the 5th Annual San Diego Memoir Showcase.
CC: For many years, I’ve told my girlfriends that I need to write a book about my crazy dating life.  I’ve often joked that while some people have guardian angels, I seem to have guardian practical jokers.  The story selected for this year’s Memoir Showcase is titled “For Paul, The Hostile Hospital.” This story is a prime example of my prankster guardians running interference with my attempts at romance. 

SJF:  What has your experience been taking classes/workshops and writing memoir in San Diego?
CC: After yet another failed relationship, I had an opening line of a story that wouldn’t leave me alone.  When I finally fired up my laptop to write it down the words just poured out of me.  My hairdresser and a few close friends would read it and tell me that I was a good writer.  But, I felt that I lacked the expertise to know if I had potential.  Fortunately, I saw a San Diego Writers, Ink advertisement on Facebook for their Memoir Certificate Program. Marni Freedman and Tracy Jones teach lectures and critiques that are insightful and inspiring.  I’ve learned so much since showing up for my first class in January of this year.  I have to give a shout out to my talented classmates, also generous with their honest but kind feedback.  Without their support, I know I would not be enjoying this incredible opportunity.

SJF: If you had a magic wand, what kind of opportunities would be available to memoir writers in San Diego?
CC: I would love to see new writers teamed up with individuals to tell their stories.  I think it would be a win-win for the writers to gain experience and invaluable to voices that need to be heard; at risk youth, the elderly, and people experiencing the hardship of prison, seeking asylum or living on the streets.  If I really had a magic wand, I would have my dad in the Showcase audience.  He also took up writing later in life and I would love to be able to share my storytelling journey with him. 

SJF:  What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the 5th Annual Memoir Showcase?
CC: This will be my first showcase, but I’ve watched the videos and experienced a few stories from last year’s showcase read at the Downtown Library’s auditorium during the April 2019 San Diego Writer’s Festival.  It was riveting, the actors emoting powerful stories that elicited laughter and tears.  Now that I’ve begun working with my writing coach, I’m equally terrified and elated to work on the rewriting that is needed to craft the best possible story from my little life blip. 

SJF: What advice would you give to a new writer in San Diego?
CC: Get involved!  The community of writers that we have in San Diego have proven to be tremendously supportive.  If you’re interested in memoir, join the San Diego Memoir Writers Association, you won’t be disappointed.

SF: Favorite Memoirs?
CC: In no particular order, they all had me under their spell, the following come to mind:  “The Color of Water” – James McBride; “The Year of Magical Thinking” – Joan Didion; “The Glass Castle” – Jeannette Walls; “Just Kids” – Patti Smith; “Truth & Beauty: A Friendship” – Ann Patchett; I’m also a fan of Carrie Fisher’s writing and everything by David Sedaris. 

SJF: Many thanks, Chili!

Chili Cilch is currently working on her memoir, tentatively titled, “Sole Mates – Walking from One Relationship to the Next and Coming Home to Me”.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Cilch

Share This