San Diego Memoir Writers Association is pleased to present our April Member of the Month.
Read a Q & A Interview below with Madonna Treadway, & Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: How did you discover the San Diego Memoir Writers Association (SDMWA)?
MT: First I discovered San Diego Writers, Ink online and began taking Memoir Classes. Then I became aware of SDMWA. I attended a few meetings and joined because of the wonderful programs and people.
SJF: Describe how your memoir led to your finding your way to self-help and inspiring others.
MT: Both my parents died before I was 8 years old. Consequently my life was filled with challenges that a typical kid does not encounter. Yet, I managed to thrive. I knew there were others like me who had similar challenges. My goal while writing was to offer those who had lost a parent/or parents as children my perspective. I first wrote key stories from my childhood. When I began Memoir classes at Writers Ink, I was unsure how this would come together in a book. My instructor, Marni Freedman, became my coach and editor. She understood what I was trying to achieve. She steered me to the self-help format and the book took form. There has been lots of work after that and many edits. The book will be in print later this year.
SJF: What were your reactions to seeing your memoir portrayed by an actress in the 2018 Memoir Showcase
MT: It was an incredible experience. Saying that I was moved feels almost inadequate to describe my reaction. I felt grateful to my writing coach, all the editors and producers, and the actor who so beautifully brought it to the stage. Viewing what happened to me as a child from the audience gave me a feeling of satisfaction. I experienced tears of sadness and joy. I also felt a deep connection with the audience who shared in the experience.
SJF: What are you currently working on?
MT: 6 Healing Questions: A Gentle Path to Healing Childhood Loss of a Parent is for adults who have lost a parent or parents at an early age, or for anyone facing a well of grief. I share my own story of loss, ask gentle questions, and provide easy-to-understand research.
By the end of the book, the reader will find that they can more readily access their emotions, uncover their unique gifts born of their pain, and find wholeness despite any tragic circumstance.
My presentation this fall will share how my memoir found its perfect format as a self-help book. I will discuss why this format appealed to me and answer questions about the process.
SJF: What are some of your favorite memoirs (or movies based on memoirs)?
MT:
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama
Finding Fish by Antwone Fisher (made into a movie in 2002: Antwone Fisher)
Movies that have been adapted from books listed below
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
Catch Me If You Can
Rocket Boys
The Pianist
A Mighty Heart
SJF: Any advice for new writers?
MT: First of all write. Many of us have other jobs. I have an MBA and have been in business for many years. It is challenging to find time to write. Yet many books have been written in short segments. I took a class from Clarissa Pinkola Estes who wrote the best seller Women Who Run with the Wolves. She wrote it in snippets while she was in graduate school and raising a family. This inspired me to keep writing. Also, seek out and participate in the community of writers. It’s a great support for your writing in addition to the lovely connections you will make.
SJF: Many thanks, Madonna!
Learn more about Madonna Treadway