Ask Shannon Huffman Polson discussion

Feel free to post questions, thoughts, discussions about memoir writing, and North of Hope!

Hi, Shannon.
I am a reporter so I have several questions!
You certainly have a compelling story, but what prompted you to share it with the world?
What was the most difficult thing about writing your memoir?
What is the biggest challenge in terms of marketing?

Alexandra,

wow, all excellent questions, and involved answers! I'll do my best and welcome follow-ups as you find helpful.

North of Hope is something that I knew I needed to write before I took the river trip on the Hulahula. I've always known I wanted to be a writer (and have always written through the various detours my life took along the way) but for this experience in particular, I am starting to understand that I needed to see if it were possible to make something beautiful out of the horror or it all.

Joan Didion says that "we tell stories in order to live." I believe we have the power to choose- and craft- our own narratives, and that those narratives have the power to change our lives. North of Hope is my journey toward crafting that narrative, and finding a world that, despite its horrors, is also beautiful. There were a number of people ho were touched by the terrifying circumstances of this event, and frankly, I came to understand that terror, horror, all of that is part of the human condition, and its so important for us to do the work required to find beauty in those circumstances. I'm hopeful that this work will inspire other to find the same strands of beauty in their own narratives.

I'm going to post your follow ups as separate discussions for easy navigation Alexandra!

Sounds good.