Welcome to the Center for Autobiographic Studies (CAS) website. CAS is a not-for-profit educational organization since 1997, dedicated to promoting the knowledge, appreciation, creation and preservation of autobiographic works. These works may be written for self-understanding, for preserving family and cultural history, or for pooling wisdom gained from diverse individuals’ life experiences.
Here, you will find updates about the most current happenings at CAS and you will find helpful information about writing and/or publishing your autobiographic writing. We thank you for your interest and welcome your comments and participation.
When it’s memoir, bad reviews cut deep
guest blog by Emma Stephens, author For a Dancer, the Memoir
We can transform our past as a gesture of faith in the future. —Tristine Rainer
By Emma J. Stephens
Author of For A Dancer: The Memoir
I once attended a movie premiere with my friend, its director. The success of his independent film hinged on good reviews, so I was surprised to learn that he had no intention of viewing them. His reasoning was, “People will tell me the good ones.” I assumed being an artist required the courage and understanding that not everyone will be a fan (which is probably why I gravitated toward subjects in school with definite answers like math), so his behavior seemed a bit fragile. Now, after the release of my memoir, which was not just an exposure of my writing ability but also my life, I realize the damage that can be done to one’s creative spirit if their work is disliked. This fear of disapproval is what keeps many from embarking on the vulnerable journey of self-expression.… Read the rest
