You know it's really something for a person to write such a lengthy indictment of your work. She came "loaded for bear" She also did you such a favor. She made you "show, not tell" when it came to your resilience. And you did just that, not only in the book, but in the process of sharing it with other people. As one fool who has published 3 memoirs with big houses (on the most boring life you can imagine) I learned early that writing a book is an intimate act, but selling it is public and requires 2 different sets of skin. When you write you are open and vulnerable, when you read you often need kryptonite. Even things you didn't think would get to you can get hit off by a question, your mood, a REVIEW. I was picketed for my first reading ever, It was because of ECT but it made me cry and I wanted to go home.

I didn't, but it was far from the debut I'd expected.

Your description of memoir is so good. Its much more than events and complaints sewn together

(there's a lot of that). but your story has breadth, basic underpinnings that reach out with the uniqueness of you and some important "lessons" for the reader. A memoir can be the most self indulgent form of writing. but I think it can also be the most honest weaving of a story that is unique and universal in ways.

You piece taught me so much. It would be great to use at a writing workshop. thanks martha