In this episode of Now I’ve Heard Everything, host Bill Thompson sits down with author, poet, and writing coach Janice Erlbaum to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her groundbreaking memoir, Girl Bomb: A Halfway Homeless Memoir. Janice opens up about what it means to be “halfway homeless” as a teenager in 1980s New York City, navigating shelters like Covenant House, group homes, and public school while keeping meticulous diaries. She candidly discusses the privileges that helped her succeed, the ethical mistakes she made along the way, and how she eventually found her center through writing and long-term therapy. Janice also shares invaluable advice for aspiring writers on embracing “ugly first drafts” and explains how she now helps others heal by putting their painful memories safely onto the page.
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Chapters:
00:42 Reflecting on 20 Years of ‘Girlbaum’
01:12 Returning to Covenant House
02:24 The Impact of the James Fry Exposé
03:07 The Universality of Youth Running Away
03:28 What Does ‘Halfway Homeless’ Mean?
06:10 Balancing School and Shelter Life
07:17 The Role of Writing in Her Life
09:05 Honesty About Mistakes and Ethical Dilemmas 1
0:53 Centering Yourself Amid Chaos
11:58 From Writer to Mentor
15:06 The Writing Process and Embracing Imperfection
18:35 Looking Back After 20 Years
19:40 Reflections on Happiness and Gratitude
21:35 Reconnecting with People from the Book
Guest Information
Janice Erlbaum
Website
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1994 interview with Susanna Kaysen
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