How to Write About Trauma Without Traumatizing Your Reader with Melissa Fraterrigo

Send us Fan Mail

 Writers, are you writing about trauma and wondering how detailed to get or how to connect the dots when your story feels scattered? The solution might be a memoir in essays that allows you to write about powerful discreet moments that are loosely connected by associations. 

If that's you, you are in for a treat because this week on the Writing and Resilience Podcast, I'm joined by Melissa Fraterrigo, author of the Perils of Girlhood, named one of literary hub's, 100 notable small press books of 2025.

During our conversation, we explore the differences between memoir and memoir and essays, how to use memory as a portal to story, and how learning to trust your reader can help you decide what to share and what to leave out. Let's dive in.  

Episode Highlights

• 6:24: The Drivers of Self-Esteem We’re Not Discussing  
• 9:53: Understanding Memoirs in Essay versus Traditional Memoirs
• 17:00: How to Use Memory as a Portal to Story
• 22:15: The Secret to Treating All Characters Well
• 24:40: Tips for Navigating Traumatic Material in Your Essay
• 34:35: The One Unexpected Gift Writing Gives You

Resources for this Episode: 

• Identify Your Memoir’s Essential Question
• Ditch Your Inner Critic Now 

Melissa’s Bio: Melissa Fraterrigo’s memoir, The Perils of Girlhood was published by the University of Nebraska Press in Fall 2025, and named by Literary Hub as one of “100 Notable Small Press Books of 2025.” She is also the author of the novel Glory Days (University of Nebraska Press), and the story collection The Longest Pregnancy (Livingston Press). She teaches creative writing at Purdue University and is the founder of the Lafayette Writers’ Studio in Lafayette, Indiana. Please visit melissafraterrigo.com and lafayettewritersstudio.com.

Connect with Melissa: 

• Website: melissafraterrigo.com
• @melissafraterrigo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.fraterrigo
• Substack: https://substack.com/@melissafraterrigo
• Lafayette Writers Studio: lafayettewritersstudio.com

Sign up for Find and Refine Your Memoir’s Narrative Arc: https://bit.ly/4aK5wQI

Connect with your host, Lisa:
Get Your Free Copy of Ditch Your Inner Critic: https://lisacooperellison.com/subscribe/
Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn

Produced by Espresso Podcast Production