Memoir Masterclass - Feedbacks
Leslie Leyland Fields - Award-winning author, speaker, and teacher.
EvaNali, this is a precious piece of writing. The details are lovely, sweeping me fully into this day, into your heart. I'm so struck with the clarity of your memory! Your voice, your word choices, framing it with your encounter with the other girl, the movement between scene and reflection---all SO well done! I'm sure writing this brought a tear or two . ... but that's okay, yes? Because you're not there anymore. And even this, I hope, is a tender treasure from your painful past . ..? thank you for sharing!!!
My Reply:
Hello Leslie! I greatly appreciate your feedback. It holds a special significance for me. Whenever I delve into my past and recall moments from my childhood, it always brings tears and anger to my soul. Even they have nothing to do with me. These tears do not result in any type of healing. What they have done to me, doesn't belong to me, so there is no treasure to be found in those memories, and never will. I share my story to spread awareness about the importance of not leaving children in orphanages. If I can prevent just one parent from leaving their children in an orphanage, or "leaving them behind" by having them read my book before making a decision, then my mission has been accomplished.
Lisa Bodrogi
Story Leader
Goodness EvaNali, you write with such depth of expression. You bring us into your wanting and your pain. We all want your mama to come for you. I hope you feel strong compassion and love from this group as we try to carry you through your pain. Thank you for continuing to write. Your book will be phenomenal. It will shed so much light on neglected children. My heart and prayers go out to you as you re-live this trauma for the benefit of others.
Dear EvaNali, I am so sorry you did not receive a gift. That you were overlooked. That your beautiful name was not called on the day of your name. How heartbreaking. I pray your Christmas present is filled with Christmas presents with your name on each one. Please continue to write and share your stories. You are such a creative and eloquent writer. I look forward to reading your book when you complete it. It will be very captivating and compelling. Please, if you would, write a story about your present life. I’d like you to tell us somethings about your life after the orphanage. Did you find love? Do you have a family? Did you ever learn about your birth mother? How do you think as a grownup? Since we are on this journey with you on writing your book, it would be nice to know about the person you have become. I am calling on EvaNali, please, can you tell us who you are today?
Gina Ramsey - Author of Burnt Gloveboxes: Embracing Life When It Goes Up In Flames Volume I & II
EvaNali Spacek - Beautiful cover!!! And your story - so sad, so moving. You brought me right there next to you in that moment of anticipation, turned sad and heavy. Your writing is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this moment. Sending all the Christmas love to you.
Julie Prentice
Story Leader
As always, you write in ways that slow me down, slow time down, and in this piece I see not only into parts of your heart, but also that of the girl whose hurtful words were also laced with her own hurt. The power of Hope... so amazing and so multi-faceted. I lean into reading this piece even as I sorrow for the happenings. We are the richer for all that you share with us, EvaNali. 💛
I always look forward to reading your posts. This sentence grabbed my attention: "Frequently, my mind wanders and I find myself thinking about things that have no connection to my current thoughts. I don’t mind my thoughts. They belong to me." I feel the contrast between what you have not chosen--eg the outfit you are wearing, the absence of a mama--and the possession of what can be yours alone. I am pausing to think about the maturity of that thought for a young child; it feels so poignant. Your reflections on color are also touching, and how maybe those leaves are sent for kids and for dogs. Keep writing, friend!
Juanita White
Member
EvaNali, you have such a wonderful way with words. Your descriptions of nature's symphony, the train's cough, the grumpy-looking bathroom tiles, cracked mirrors and no one willing to see you anyway, were so vivid in describing the painful life you were living. Your mention of the two asphyxiated grownups and how people only talked of their death for a couple of days and the connection to your longing to throw yourself off the roof, was a profound insight for one so young. I look forward to more of your writing!
Your pain and longing break my heart as you describe your hard days in the orphanage and your wish for your mama to come. The way you express yourself through your pain draws me into your story every time. You're a great writer with a vivid memory.
Lorna-Jean Astle
Story Leader
Oh dear EvaNali, what a wrenching, tender story this is. I had tears all the way through just wishing along with you that your mother would come through the door and pick you up in her arms and whisk you away. I'm so sorry this didn't happen. Such striking description and word pictures. I loved how you weaved the story of the other girl into your own. It added so much more to the story, more drama, more tension and more character. You are a beautiful writer. You have captured the inner thinking of a child so well. I could read a whole book like this. Your descriptions are so vivid and your inner dialogue throughout bring such an air of poignancy to this story and childlike wonder. I just love it. Keep writing.
Linda Lee @LadyQuixote
Member
This is wonderful writing! I was right there with you, wearing two left shoes, hands in pockets, walking down a tree lined path, seeing the colorful autumn leaves and the elderly woman with her dog. What a precious little girl you were! 💖
Dawn Larschied
Member
This is a beautiful, EvaNali. Please keep writing. I was pulled into that little girl's world feeling lost and terrified.
Maria Admiraal
Member
Very well written. You pulled me right there if I was there with your in the orphanage. I'm still struggling to find words for deep parts ( stories) inside of me. You gave me some courage trough your story.
Sher Bachand
Member
EvaNali. My heart wrenches for that little girl. How deep that wound. Your writing draws me into the scene with you. Tears fall. I am so sorry you went through this. I love your cover art. I love your Spirit. We would be robbed if you stopped writing.
