What a privilege to be part of this Hugo House panel on Writing Motherhood last month. I was blown away by each of the readings from these talented mama writers, and particularly excited to meet poet Amber Flame. I first saw her at a Seattle Lit Crawl (coming up again October 24th!) reading work inspired by Whitney Houston. Carla Sameth read from her wonderful memoir in essays, “One Day on the Gold Line,” and my dear writer friend and talented teacher Anne Liu Kellor read a new poem. Samantha Updegrave served as host, shared a striking essay, and guided the panel discussion following the readings. The gathering was even a highlighted event by The Seattle Review of Books.
I enjoyed the chance to discuss how and why we write about motherhood, as well as how motherhood has influenced our writing and the writing life. For me, I came to writing as a serious vocation only after I became a mother, so motherhood tends to infuse and influence much of my work. Though I write about much more than motherhood, the fact that I am a mother is so central to my identity, just like being multiracial, or a physician, or growing up and living in the Pacific Northwest are all integral components to the lens through which I create art. I’m grateful I had a chance to discuss motherhood and writing with these extraordinary women and hope to continue this important conversation.