SKU: 68376013742

Writing Hard Stories

Sale price$103.50 Regular price$115.00
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $28.75 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 16 - Jul 21

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

Writing Hard StoriesBy: Melanie Brooks Some of the countrys most admired authorsincluding Andre Dubus III, Mark Doty, Marianne Leone, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Richard Blanco, Abigail Thomas, Kate Bornstein, Jerald Walker, and Kyoko Moridescribe their treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience. What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey?

By: Melanie Brooks     
Some of the country’s most admired authors—including Andre Dubus III, Mark Doty, Marianne Leone, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Richard Blanco, Abigail Thomas, Kate Bornstein, Jerald Walker, and Kyoko Mori—describe their treks through dark memories and breakthrough moments and attest to the healing power of putting words to experience.

What does it take to write an honest memoir? And what happens to us when we embark on that journey? Melanie Brooks sought guidance from the memoirists who most moved her to answer these questions. Called an essential book for creative writers by Poets & Writers, Writing Hard Stories is a unique compilation of authentic stories about the death of a partner, parent, or child; about violence and shunning; and about the process of writing. It will serve as a tool for teachers of writing and give readers an intimate look into the lives of the authors they love.

Authors profiled in Writing Hard Stories: Andre Dubus III, Sue William Silverman, Michael Patrick MacDonald, Joan Wickersham, Kyoko Mori, Richard Hoffman, Suzanne Strempek Shea, Abigail Thomas, Monica Wood, Mark Doty, Edwidge Dantict, Marianne Leone, Jerald Walker, Kate Bornstein, Jessica Handler, Richard Blanco, Alysia Abbott, and Kim Stafford

Insights from Writing Hard Stories

“Why we endeavor collectively to write a book or paint a canvas or write a symphony...is to understand who we are as human beings, and it’s that shared knowledge that somehow helps us to survive.”—Richard Blanco

“Here’s what you need to understand: your brothers [or family or friends] are going to have their own stories to tell. You don’t have to tell the family story. You have to tell your story of being in that family.”—Andre Dubus III

“We all need a way to express or make something out of experiences that otherwise have no meaning. If what you want is clarity and meaning, you have to break the secrets over your knee and make something of those ingredients.”—Abigail Thomas

“What we remember and how we remember it really tells us how we became who we became.”—Michael Patrick MacDonald

“The reason I write memoir is to be able to see the experience itself...I hardly know what I think until I write...Writing is a way to organize your life, give it a frame, give it a structure, so that you can really see what it was that happened.”—Sue William Silverman

“After a while in the process, you have some distance and you start thinking of it as a story, not as your story...It was a personal grief, but no longer personal...[It’s] something that has not just happened to me and my family, but something that’s happened in the world.”—Edwidge Danticat

“Tibetan Buddhists believe that eloquence is the telling of a truth in such a way that it eases suffering...The more suffering that is eased by your telling of the truth, the more eloquent you are. That’s all you can really hope for—being eloquent in that fashion. All you have to do is respond to your story honestly, and that’s the ideal.”—Kate Bornstein

“You can never entirely redeem the experience. You can’t make it not hurt anymore. But you can make it beautiful enough so that there’s something to balance it in the other scale. And if you understand that word beautiful as not necessarily pretty, then you’re getting close to recognizing the integrative power of restoring the balance, which is restoring the truth.”—Richard Hoffman
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 68376013742

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 16 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
L
Verified Purchase
Lisa Bjornstad
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect chair!
Size: 934-Z, Color: Blue, Size: 934-Z, Color: Blue
I have an adjustable-height desk (also purchased from Amazon) and needed a drafting chair for those times when my body gets tired of standing. This chair fits the bill and then some! I put it together myself; it took me about an hour, but would take me about half that next time, since now I know what to do (and what NOT to do!). All the parts were there; there are even spare parts (see photo). All the holes were drilled in exactly the right places, too, which isn't always the case when I buy things from Amazon (my standing desk is a great example). The chair fits me; I'm short (5'3.5"), and often the seats of furniture are too deep for me to rest my feet flat on the floor. The depth of the seat on this chair is just a little over 18 inches, and with the adjustable footrest ring, it's perfect. I don't think a tall or heavy person would fit in it, to be honest. But it's perfect for those of us who are vertically challenged. I love that it glides easily on my hardwood floors and that it turns 360 degrees. The chair comes in numerous luscious colors, so take your pick! It is very sturdy, has good lumbar support, and the seat and seat back are very comfortable. And the arms flip up, which was an absolute must when I was shopping for this chair. I got it on sale, too -- $109.00 -- and I'm delighted with this purchase.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2026
P
Verified Purchase
PenLady
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent adjustable drafting chair
Size: 934-Z, Color: Blue
Excellent chair design, extremely comfortable and exceptionally easy instructions to follow making for simple assembly. Love the amply wide cushioned seat and ergonomic backrest. The height adjustment feature works perfectly as well as positioning of the foot ring . Having the ability to raise the arms is also a big plus! I highly recommend this product for attractive appearance, comfort features, functionality and operation. Really nice chair!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2026
S
Verified Purchase
Sandra
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable, stylish, and perfect for long work hours 💗✨
Size: 934-Z, Color: Pink
I bought this chair because I spend a lot of time working and needed something comfortable but also stylish, and I absolutely love it. Since I started using it, I feel much better support in my back thanks to the lumbar support. It makes a big difference, especially during long work hours. The adjustable footrest is also a feature I didn’t know I needed, but now I use it all the time. The flip-up armrests are very convenient because I can adjust them depending on what I’m doing or move them out of the way when needed. The pink color is beautiful and adds a soft, elegant touch to my workspace. It looks great in a modern home office. It feels sturdy, well-made, and very stable. Overall, it’s a great purchase that improved both my comfort and the look of my workspace.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2026
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
All-around thumbs up!
Size: 934W-Z, Color: Black
So far, so awesome. Easy to assemble, comfortable, arrived quickly and is exactly what I was looking for. I have a tall work bench in my new studio so I needed a chair that we could allow me to sit higher than a regular office chair and allow me to get off my feet after standing on the concrete floor. Plus its a nice looking chair that I am sure will last a long time. I love the flip-up arms and the lumbar support. This is just right!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2026
D
Verified Purchase
Danielle Chen
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect Balance of Comfort, Support, and Style!
Size: 934-Z, Color: Black, Size: 934-Z, Color: Black
I’ve been using this chair for a few weeks now, and I’m genuinely impressed with how much of a difference it’s made in my workspace. The mesh back is one of my favorite features—it offers excellent breathability and prevents that sticky, overheated feeling you sometimes get with solid-back chairs, even after sitting for hours. The seat cushion is firm enough to give proper support but still has enough give to keep me comfortable through long workdays. It feels like the perfect middle ground between soft and supportive. The adjustable foot ring has been a complete game changer for me. I use a taller desk setup, and having somewhere to rest my feet makes a huge difference in posture and overall comfort. Whether I’m sitting upright for focused work or leaning back to read, it’s always at the right height. The flip-up armrests are another smart design choice. When I’m typing, I like to have them down for support, but when I’m done, I can flip them up and push the chair neatly under my desk—saving space and keeping things tidy. The casters roll smoothly on both hardwood and rugs, so I can move around easily without scraping the floor or getting stuck. The overall build quality feels solid and sturdy, with no wobbles or creaks. Assembly was surprisingly quick—everything was clearly labeled, the parts felt durable, and it only took me about 20 minutes from opening the box to sitting in the chair. The sleek, modern look is another big plus—it blends in perfectly with my home office décor without feeling bulky or taking up too much visual space. If you’re looking for a chair that combines comfort, ergonomic support, durability, and style, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s equally great for work, studying, or just relaxing at your desk, and it’s definitely been worth every penny.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2025

recommand products