Tag: Memoir Writing
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30 Seconds of Courage
Jessica Woodville’s memoir, “Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience,” explores the power of sharing one’s truth to combat trauma. She emphasizes how small acts of courage can lead to healing and urges others to confront their pain, highlighting the need for systemic change to support childhood trauma survivors.
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Beyond Sensationalism: Why My Story Is Bigger Than the Troubled Teen Industry
I recently had an article published about my memoir, Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience. The writer was kind, genuinely enthusiastic about my book, and I’m deeply grateful for the attention it’s receiving. But as I read through the article, I found myself pausing—because somewhere along the way, my story seemed…
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Taking the Leap: Self-Publishing Regrets and What Comes Next
Self-publishing a memoir is a leap of faith. You write your story, put it into the world, and hope it finds the people who need to hear it most. When I published Smoking in Garages: A Survivor’s Story of Trauma and Resilience, I knew I couldn’t wait for permission. I had to take the leap.…
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Letting Go of the Fear of Being Seen: A Survivor’s Journey to Visibility
For most of my life, I was conditioned to believe that being seen was dangerous. When you grow up in a household where truth is inconvenient, where survival depends on keeping up appearances, you learn to hide—not just from others, but from yourself. I learned this lesson young. Narcissistic parents have a way of controlling…
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When Your Body Rebels Against Your Biggest Moment
The day my proof copies of my memoir arrived should have been one of the happiest days of my life. And for a moment, it was. I had felt the anticipation and excitement building for days—so much so that I could barely sleep the night before. But what I didn’t realize was that what I…
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They Say ‘Write What You Know’—Unfortunately, I Know Trauma
There are moments in life when you look around and realize that everything you thought was holding you together is actually tearing you apart. For me, that moment came after leaving an unhealthy relationship and finally recognizing that not only was my living situation making me physically ill due to a chronic illness I hadn’t…
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Fighting My Mind, Body & Soul: The Truth About Writing My Memoir
Writing a memoir isn’t just about putting words on paper—it’s about breaking yourself open, diving into the depths of your past, and resurfacing with something coherent enough that people can read it without needing therapy themselves (though, fair warning, I make no promises).
Jessica Woodville | Memoir & Musings 