Q & A with author Laura Engel and Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications
SJF: In a nutshell, tell us about your book or written piece.
LE: My scene being performed in the Best of the Best- Memoir Showcase is taken from my memoir in progress, You’ll Forget This Ever Happened: The Story of a Mother’s Love and the Secret She Never Forgot.
The theme of the Showcase that my scene won a place in was “Things We Don’t Talk About,” and my scene was titled “Do They Know?” Here’s the official description:
The scene takes place in 1967 when Laura, an unwed teenager, gives birth to her first-born son in a charity hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana. There isn’t much of a worse predicament a young woman could find herself in during the sixties. She has been made to feel damaged and almost criminal. Not given a choice, her secret son will be relinquished for adoption. Laura is accidentally placed in a ward with married women. She is both thrilled at the possibility of holding her newborn, but filled with shame and guilt and afraid that the married women will find out she is an unwed mother about to give up her child.
SJF: What has your experience been as a writer in San Diego?
LE: It has been excellent! I began writing my book in April, 2017, after attending classes and workshops at San Diego Writers, Ink. I received a Memoir 101 Certificate from Marni Freedman’s course after attending her classes that year.
I now attend Read & Critique class with Tracy Jones weekly. There was immediate support and guidance from the writing community at San Diego Writers, Ink and at San Diego Memoir Writers Association meetings. I couldn’t have asked for more encouragement!
SJF: How has storytelling influenced your life?
LE: I was born telling stories. Seriously, I have always told stories to whomever would listen and I love listening to others’ stories. I am a lover of books and an avid reader and have been since I first learned to read in kindergarten. Now I am writing the story of one of most challenging periods of my life and it is filled with love, great sorrow, secrecy and regret, and ultimately a joyous miracle.
SJF: What are you excited about when it comes to participating in the inaugural San Diego Writers Festival?
LE: I am thrilled to have my scene chosen to be performed again at this first very important Writers Festival.
We have many amazing communities of writers in San Diego city and county and bringing them together for our first Writers Festival is way overdue. I am excited to be part of the writing community and leaders in the writing and publishing/marketing world who are making it happen.
SJF: What advice would you give a new writer in San Diego.
LE: I would tell all writers, beginners and beyond, to find a class or writing group and get to know other writers. Writing can be lonely and most of us writers are full of self-doubt. “Is our story even worth telling? Who do I think I am? How should I structure this book?” etc. There are writing communities all over the county and workshops and classes available in libraries, schools, and at San Diego Writers, Ink. Look for them and join a group or class. If you want to write a memoir like I am doing, join us at our monthly San Diego Memoir Writers Association meetings (www.sdmwa.org) and network with other writers. Reach out. We are in this together and we all need to promote, instill confidence, and guide each other. We would love to welcome you to our memoir writing community!
SJF: Many thanks, Laura!
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