What do you love most about your memoir?
The greatest thing I have ever written was my rights into existence. This is the second. It was healing to write it and I hope that readers will be able to heal a part of their soul while reading it too.
What kind of reader do you think will most appreciate or enjoy your book?
Anyone who has had to heal, is on their healing journey and wants to know how to change the world will enjoy the book. This book is a literal map of my healing journey; I hope it’s a useful blueprint for others to take their own journeys too.
At what point did you know this story was a book?
To be honest, I’ve always turned to writing to heal. But the moment I decided I could write was when I passed my United Nations General Assembly Resolution for survivors of sexual violence. It felt like a curse was breaking; I was on this runaway train for nearly a decade weaving justice out of my trauma. After having reached the highest levels of legislation by changing the world, it was time to write it down. As for the magical surrealism in the book, sometimes a story grips you and you have no choice but to tell it. I knew that when I arrived at the realms of grief. I’m grateful to FSG for honoring my artistic voice and granting me the ability to tell my story with both literal and emotional truth.
What was the hardest memory to get on the page?
The hardest memories I had were when I revisited the state my mind was in, its desperate attempts to make sense of why those who hurt me did so. Spoiler: There is never enough reason to explain violence away. We create our own closure by creating our own justice and resilience.
Was there anything that surprised you as you wrote?
Our younger selves have a distinct voice and a lot of wisdom to share. We all have lessons we can learn from our younger selves and from each stage of grief.
How do you feel now that you’ve put this story to the page?
Writing is healing. I feel like I was able to thoroughly process my trauma, make sense of it, grieve it and now graduate from it.
How have you changed since you started writing it?
I feel braver. There were painful documents I hid in the back of shelves that I had to unearth in order to write the memoir. I’m proud that I’ve healed enough to work up the courage to dust them off, confront them, make sense of them and process them.
What is the most interesting thing you had to research in order to write this book?
I looked up the statistics of how difficult it is to pass a federal law. If readers want to learn how to pass a bill, this is a step-by-step guide.
Can you describe your book as an item on a menu?
One serving of hope please!
Photo of Amanda Nguyen ©Duke Winn.
