Writing For Yourself and Writing to be Read

Learning Through Experience

Writing has the power to transport us to the depths of the human experience – to illuminate the joys, sorrows and complexities that make us who we are. In this captivating final episode of Learning Through Experience Season Three, Amy Bloom and I explore the transformative power of the written word.

Amy, an acclaimed writer and psychotherapist, shares a poignant reading from her memoir "In Love," which provides a deeply personal window into her journey with her late husband's early-onset Alzheimer's. The conversation takes us into the nuanced relationship between writing for oneself and writing for an audience, as Amy offers her thought-provoking perspective on the importance of reading diverse perspectives to enrich one's creative voice.

Join us as we ponder the art of revision, strategies for creating a safe and supportive environment for student writers, and all the profound ways in which reflective writing can shape our understanding of ourselves and the human experience.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

Key Topics

4:16 Reading Aloud: “In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss”

Amy reads a powerful excerpt from her memoir "In Love" about her husband's early-onset Alzheimer's.

9:21 The Importance of Reading Diverse Perspectives

Amy discusses how reading widely, beyond one’s own experiences, has shaped her as a writer, and emphasizes the value of understanding complex human emotions and motivations to create compelling characters.

13:18 Writing for Yourself vs. Writing for Others

Amy draws from insights on her process of transitioning from private writing to crafting an engaging narrative for readers.

17:36 The Art of Revision and Refinement

Amy describes her approach to the writing process, including the importance of starting with a vivid moment and building from there. She also emphasizes the need for constant revision and refinement to make the writing more compelling and accessible for readers.

24:53 Creating a Safe Space for Student Writers

Writing can be a struggle and failure is inherent. Amy shares her experience teaching writing and the strategies she uses to foster a supportive, yet provocative, environment for students.

32:28 The Transformative Power of Reflective Writing

There can be many sides, or perspectives, to any individual story. Amy explores the value of engaging deeply with one’s own stories and examining stories from multiple perspectives, while not shying away from the less heroic or pretty aspects of personal narratives.

Additional Resources

• Darien Library discussion on YouTube: Amy turns the lens inwards in In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss, a courageous memoir that challenges: what are you willing to do for the one you love? And what is our own right to die?
• When Her Husband Said He Wanted to Die, Amy Bloom Listened - NY Times
• NY Times - How to Raise a ‘Warrior Queen’: For 12 years, Yiyun Li taught her writing students a story by Amy Bloom about the power, and limitations, of love. Confronting unbearable grief, she returned to it.