Personal Narratives

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Jennifer Pardini explores the depth of her strength as she writes about losing a child.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Emily Nichols Grossi shares her glee at turning her children’s unused playhouse into a writing hut for herself.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Erin Silver shares her struggle to find balance.

Everyone left the Decatur Book Festival talking about Jong v. Gay, but Literary Reflections Editor Justine Uhlenbrock was still pondering a hug.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Andrea Jarrell shares her practice of grace and gratitude.
Whether someone else said community vs. competition or the phrase simply popped into my head one day during a yoga class, I can’t say for sure. The tension between the two struck me when I first started practicing at a new studio. I was the outsider, comparing the lithe bodies around me to what I felt inside – frustration, struggle, and a desire to give up. Yet community vs. competition has continued to be my mantra. Years into my yoga practice, when I’m tempted to think, Look at me! Look how high my leg is! this mantra is more important than ever.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Lori Duffy Foster reminds us to live.
I was proud of myself.
All four kids were appropriately dressed, and we had made it to the high school recognition night on time. We’d even picked up my mother-in-law on the way. It was a huge success for me, considering all I had tried to juggle that week.

In this guest post, Literary Mama reader Melissa Uchiyama shares her creative spirit.

For me, it was astronaut or artist. Always the mysteries of the universe fleshed out, explored in the medium of swirly, gobby paint. I was the creative child, seeking a life of beauty and adventure, wondering why I couldn’t keep my room neat.

Before long, writing snagged and tagged me, too. I don’t remember scribbling or scrawling, writing in some girly padlocked diary or on yellow legal pads. I do recall confidently pushing down electric typewriter keys, racing to that next line, entranced by the serif font and the whirring of electricity. I held my neck high, fingers pert like those of a concert pianist.

In today’s After Page One post, Literary Mama reader Nina Lichtenstein shares about the impossible task of self-editing.

I know “cathartic” sounds dramatic, but I have no other way to describe the experience. It was intense, emotional and therapeutic. Why? Because having gone through it, I discovered that I am capable of achieving what I thought was impossible: to edit an essay down from 2700 to 850 words.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Heather Villa shares her journey of leaving her job and becoming a mother and writer.

I worked at a government job, and from my second-story window I could see the door of a magazine publisher.

During my one of my lunch breaks I passed a woman walking along the street. She looked familiar. But when I thought more about it, I realized she was the editor from the magazine (outside my window) I so admired. Her headshot – with a contemplative expression – featured next to her editor’s letters, graced the monthly issues.

I wanted to write for that magazine.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Elizabeth Wann explores her writing interruptions.

In today’s guest post, Literary Mama reader Katie Fries shares how teaching a class about being a writer helped kick start her own writing.