Frances Badalamenti's debut novel I Don’t Blame You tells of the instability a young girl experiences when her mother’s mental and physical health decline after divorce. The novel closely reflects Fran’s own experience of a lost childhood. Sarah speaks to Fran about the grief she felt losing her mother, which was coupled with the joy of becoming a mother herself.

Frances Badalamenti lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and son. Her personal essays, interviews and short fiction have been featured in Longreads, Volume 1 Brooklyn, The Rumpus, and Mutha Magazine. In addition to her own committed writing practice, she holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and works with other writers and creatives on their process.

Grief Gratitude & Greatness is hosted by Sarah Shaoul and is a production of Recursive Delete Audio/Visual in Portland, Oregon.

This episode was produced & edited by Jack Saturn, with additional production by Sarah. The music was by Samantha Jensen.

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