SKU: 48623718659

Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from Trauma

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Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated Memoirists Who Shaped Art from TraumaSome of the country's most admired authors including Andre Dubus III, Mark Doty, Marianne Leone, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Richard Blanco, Abigail Thomas, Kate Bornstein, Jerald Walker, and Kyoko Mori describe their treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience. What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey? Melanie Brooks sought

Some of the country's most admired authors--including Andre Dubus III, Mark Doty, Marianne Leone, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Richard Blanco, Abigail Thomas, Kate Bornstein, Jerald Walker, and Kyoko Mori--describe their treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience.

What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey? Melanie Brooks sought guidance from the memoirists who most moved her to answer these questions. Called an essential book for creative writers by Poets & Writers, Writing Hard Stories is a unique compilation of authentic stories about the death of a partner, parent, or child; about violence and shunning; and about the process of writing. It will serve as a tool for teachers of writing and give readers an intimate look into the lives of the authors they love.

Authors profiled in Writing Hard Stories Andre Dubus III, Sue William Silverman, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Joan Wickersham, Kyoko Mori, Richard Hoffman, Suzanne Strempek Shea, Abigail Thomas, Monica Wood, Mark Doty, Edwidge Dantict, Marianne Leone, Jerald Walker, Kate Bornstein, Jessica Handler, Richard Blanco, Alysia Abbott, and Kim Stafford

Insights from Writing Hard Stories

"Why we endeavor collectively to write a book or paint a canvas or write a symphony...is to understand who we are as human beings, and it's that shared knowledge that somehow helps us to survive."--Richard Blanco

"Here's what you need to understand: your brothers or family or friends] are going to have their own stories to tell. You don't have to tell the family story. You have to tell your story of being in that family."--Andre Dubus III

"We all need a way to express or make something out of experiences that otherwise have no meaning. If what you want is clarity and meaning, you have to break the secrets over your knee and make something of those ingredients."--Abigail Thomas

"What we remember and how we remember it really tells us how we became who we became."--Michael Patrick MacDonald

"The reason I write memoir is to be able to see the experience itself...I hardly know what I think until I write...Writing is a way to organize your life, give it a frame, give it a structure, so that you can really see what it was that happened."--Sue William Silverman

"After a while in the process, you have some distance and you start thinking of it as a story, not as your story...It was a personal grief, but no longer personal... It's] something that has not just happened to me and my family, but something that's happened in the world."--Edwidge Danticat

"Tibetan Buddhists believe that eloquence is the telling of a truth in such a way that it eases suffering...The more suffering that is eased by your telling of the truth, the more eloquent you are. That's all you can really hope for--being eloquent in that fashion. All you have to do is respond to your story honestly, and that's the ideal."--Kate Bornstein

"You can never entirely redeem the experience. You can't make it not hurt anymore. But you can make it beautiful enough so that there's something to balance it in the other scale. And if you understand that word beautiful as not necessarily pretty, then you're getting close to recognizing the integrative power of restoring the balance, which is restoring the truth."--Richard Hoffman

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Beacon Press
Published: 02/07/2017
ISBN: 9780807078815
Pages: 224
Weight: 0.66lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.40w x 0.70d

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2016
Publishers Weekly 10/31/2016
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SKU: 48623718659

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Cynthia
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect All-in-One Pet Enrichment Set!
Color: All-Around Dog Puzzle Toys
This puzzle dog toy set is amazing! It’s the most thoughtful and efficient enrichment set I’ve ever used for my crew. The lick mats are high-quality, durable, and the included cleaning brush makes cleanup effortless by reaching every groove. The spatula is perfectly designed to spread treats like peanut butter or yogurt evenly, saving time and preventing messes. These small details really set this set apart from others. Beyond the lick mats, the set includes a puzzle feeder and three puzzle balls that keep my furry babies mentally stimulated and entertained. Each toy is durable, easy to use, and provides a great challenge for everyone. The variety in this set ensures there’s always something to engage my critters and meet their varying challenge level needs. It’s clear this set was designed with both dogs and owners in mind, addressing common pain points like cleaning and mess-free prep. It’s perfect for smart dogs (and other critters!) and delivers great value for the price. If you’re looking for interactive, mentally stimulating toys for your pet, this all-around set is a must-have. My crew love it, and so do I. Five stars!
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Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2025
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Michelle Day
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Great set!
Color: All-Around Dog Puzzle Toys
This is a great set to entertain and beat your dog or puppies boredom! The material is natural so safe there! It’s also very durable ! The mats have suctions on bottom which is very smart ! The treat balls make a good toy even without treats in my experience. You also get a couple free gifts which was a nice surprise.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2026
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Starbeam
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Great set of dog toys. Lots of variety!
Color: All-Around Dog Puzzle Toys
Great variety of different dog toys. Keeps my dog entertained for a while! She loves the round one with sliding doors. The rubber balls are well made and provide a longer time of play.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2026
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Joshua J. Selby
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 4
Great package of toys
Color: Curated Dog Puzzle Toys
We have a new rescue dog and she eats too fast so we got these to help slow her meals down, and to give her something to do during downtime. The balls are so fun for her, the puzzle one is cool but she knows how to get the food out now so it doesn't take her long to finish it. The lick pads are nice but I have to place them on a cookie sheet so it doesn't get our hardwood floors oily with peanut butter. I think thos whole bundle is a great value. Side note: do not leave your dog alone with these toys because they will chew them up easily. I take them away once the treats and food are gone.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
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Kristina
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 3
Not made to last..
Color: All-Around Dog Puzzle Toys
I got this kit to help entertain our litter of Golden Retrievers as they got bigger, waiting to go to their forever homes. The quality was pretty good. It worked great when they were small, but as they got bigger and stronger, they were able to chew up and destroy the balls, especially the hollow ones. The balls that hold the treats in between the layers help up better, but after 3-4 months I took them away because they started showing teeth marks. The lick pads have lasted, we still have them 6 months later, and the puzzle thing was ok until about a month ago when the puppy we kept learned to pop the sliders off instead of push them to the side. All in all, I’d say it is ok to entertain very small puppies or dogs that don’t chew a lot, but definitely under supervision. Definitely not for aggressive chewers or larger dogs, as the balls are all very small.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2025

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