Writing prompt #40: WRITING THE DIFFICULT MOTHER

Hi Everyone,

I’d like to broach a subject that’s extremely hard to talk about: writing about abusive mothers. Our culture puts mothers on pedestals and people are quick to judge us when we don’t get along with our own or, worse, portray them unsympathetically (fictionally, or otherwise).

But to write the truth about difficult, narcissistic, violent mothers is to rip vast scabs off vast wounds. It’s easier to tell their outlandish stories through humor, which is how I’ve usually handled it. It took me over twenty years to begin to tell the more unvarnished, painful tales.

Recently, I’ve come across the work of Vanessa Mártir, who specializes in writing about “the mother wound” and helping others write about it, too.

Here’s a link to her website and workshops:

http://www.vanessamartir.com

I also recommend Jamaica Kincaid’s searing memoir, All About My Mother.

YOUR PROMPT: Write one fearless, uncompromising page about your mother—or anyone else who deserves an unsparing portrayal. (Any genre.) Where might this lead?

Wishing you luck and steady nerves!

Abrazos,

Cristina