Friday Five: Insights from author Dani Shapiro

Thursday nights are typically reserved for critique group meetings, but I had tickets last night to hear Dani Shapiro, memoirist and novelist, at Barbara DeMarco-Barrett’s Pen on Fire Speakers Series in beautiful Corona Del Mar. 


Barbara DeMarco-Barrett (L) and Dani Shapiro (R) take questions from the audience

DEVOTION, Dani’s new memoir, has been receiving fantastic reviews, and this was one of the best author interviews I’ve ever heard. Barbara had an easy rapport with Dani, which helped set the stage for a wonderful dialogue with the audience. The interview was recorded, so at some point, you’ll be able to access it as a podcast on Barbara’s website. In the meantime,here’s a handful of the many gems Dani shared with us last evening: 

1) Memoir writers must simultaneously address issues of craft and samskara (stories we’ve written into our bodies and subconscious minds). Dani advises her students to resolve matters of inner landscape before embarking on this journey, but admits that’s not always possible. 

2) During the writing of DEVOTION, Dani met a Buddhist, a rabbi, and a yogi. "The book forced me into those experiences," she said. "Those experiences informed the book, and at some point, book and experiences became one and the same."  I’ve had similarly serendipitous encounters along my own writer’s path, so I found myself nodding and smiling when she talked about hers.

3) To remain true to their stories, memoirists must write from "the impulse of memory," not "the impulse of imagination."

4) Memoirists weave together selective portions of their lives into a thematic quilt. Autobiographers, on the other hand, stitch together each of their life experiences in chronological, linear fashion.
 
5) To an audience member’s question about naming names in one’s memoir, Dani spoke candidly about the short- and long-term effects of her own decisions (some painful, some surprising). She summarized her position by saying, " It comes down to truth and love." I would have liked to spend more time on that last question, given its philosophical and practical implications.

Be sure to check Barbara’s website for the podcast–I know you’ll appreciate hearing these comments in their fuller context when it’s posted.

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  1. I also would have liked to hear more about that last question, naming names. I would think that “truth” and “love” might conflict with each other at times.

    • Yes. I was thinking the same thing.

      I’m not sure there’s an easy answer, save for those that involve legalistic implications. Each story’s different, and each relationship’s unique.

      I appreciated that Dani illustrated with examples her definitions of those terms (“truth” and “love”), and that she also described the ways in which they sometimes intersect/conflict.

  3. Oh, this sounds so lovely. I wish I’d been sitting by you nodding and listening. Devotion was already on my list of a book to buy and it just moved up. There’s a nice interview in Book Page; just google that with Dani Shapiro’s name and you’ll find it: she says a bit more, I think, about truth and love.

    Also Phyllis Theroux’s just out The Journal Keeper is on my spring reading list.

    Ah, lists and springs. Should I go shovel snow or wait and see if it melts?

  4. Oh, this sounds so interesting. And I’m so glad you were able to go see her. It’s so inspiring to hear writers speak of their life experiences and how they come to tell their stories. I would have loved to have been there with you.

    • Oh Lorraine, I thought about you as I listened to Dani’s stories. They were wonderful. And the relaxed conversation seemed to me a mirror of her generous, peaceful spirit. I’m really going to enjoy reading her book. I invite you to check out some of the links…I’m guessing DEVOTION is right up your alley.

    • Oh Lorraine, I thought about you as I listened to Dani’s stories. They were wonderful. And the relaxed conversation seemed to me a mirror of her generous, peaceful spirit. I’m really going to enjoy reading her book. I invite you to check out some of the links…I’m guessing DEVOTION is right up your alley.

  5. I took a class from Barbara a few years ago at UCI Extension. She gives great feedback and encouragement. My one goal has been to end up being traditionally published so I can call her and see if I can get on her program! A girl can dream, right?

    • Oh, I’ll bet that was a wonderful experience! I’ve read Barbara’s book (PEN ON FIRE), and I can only imagine she’s equally inspiring/encouraging in the classroom.

      You’re getting closer everyday to making that dream a reality. 🙂

  6. I took a class from Barbara a few years ago at UCI Extension. She gives great feedback and encouragement. My one goal has been to end up being traditionally published so I can call her and see if I can get on her program! A girl can dream, right?

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