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Arlene's avatar

That reminds me all too much of certain relatives of people I know.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Shared trauma all around, Arlene. Quick, let's hide where they can't find us.

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Hanna Delaney's avatar

My grandmother is a narcissist. This is so on point. I really found myself rooting for Maddie.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

I'm sorry, Hanna. I feel for you! Narcissists create writers, apparently. Thanks so much for reading and responding.

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Aaron McDonald's avatar

I was referring to the “mother” from The Monster Lives in the Basement. But yes, it felt a little too real to not be real. Reminded me of my mother in law, tbh.

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

Oh! I forgot about her. I really do write a lot about mothers, lol. If your MIL is like my mother, I'm so very sorry. Narcissists are quite adept at flaying the souls of others.

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Aaron McDonald's avatar

Hmm… two stories about terrible mothers in one week. Do I detect trauma?

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Author Michele Bardsley's avatar

I don't consider Josie from A Mother Scorned a terrible mother. But Maddie's Mother is directly drawn from my own. Writing is how I process trauma. It shows up in all my stories, sometimes without conscious effort. So yes, you detect trauma. :-)

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Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

I've known people like this.

Escape is the only way to be free.

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V Kelly-Sibley's avatar

I think this is such an amazing piece of writing on so many levels!

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