The Writing Life Writing subversive women with Naomi Wood
11 snips
Mar 25, 2024 Award-winning author Naomi Wood discusses writing subversive, malicious women in her short story collection. Topics include motherhood, family connections, perceptions of pregnant women, crafting diverse voices in short story writing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Revenge Born From Pandemic Solo Parenting
- "Wedding Day" centres on a nameless narrator who concocts a plan to sabotage her ex's wedding by weaponising a sexual connection.
- Naomi says the narrator's revenge feels satisfying on the day but is rooted in long-term privation after solo parenting during COVID.
Pregnancy Revealed Hidden Sexism And Polarised Roles
- Pregnancy and motherhood exposed Naomi Wood to new forms of sexism and normative expectations.
- She observed extremes: sentimental attachment parenting versus performative negativity, with little room for ambivalence.
Postnatal Group That Felt Like Corporate Therapy
- "Leslie and Therapy" is autobiographical: Naomi attended a post-maternity leave group that felt like corporate therapy and made her resistant to receiving care.
- The story shows Leslie's deeper postnatal depression and the gap between workplace solutions and real need.