The Power of Your Truth
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Phot credits: Sylvie Rosokoff
Ashley C. Ford’s debut memoir, Somebody’s Daughter, is a New York Times Bestseller. In this masterfully written book, she recalls many of the trials she faced growing up with a sometimes-abusive mother and an incarcerated father. Other topics such as body image and rape are part of Ashley’s story as well. She gives us further insight into her book below.
LT: You’ve put so much of yourself into this book, covering topics that many people keep hidden. Were there any parts that you debated including?
ACF: I think a lot of people would keep some of their own similar challenges to my life to themselves because they feel ashamed of their former or current circumstances. I feel a lot of things about my life, but shame isn’t one of them anywhere. It comes up, of course. I’m a human being! But I try to recognize it for what it is and not let it convince me something about me is bad or wrong. Especially the things I can’t help being true otherwise. I debated writing a lot of things in this book and always decided to just tell the truth. That’s what works for me. Hiding is too much work.
LT: So much detail is included in your recounts; did you keep journals growing up or were these memories still that vivid for you after all this time?
ACF: A combination of both. I wasn’t really allowed to have a journal growing up, and the few attempts I made ended disastrously, so I kept little notes and scraps of paper here or there. Decades later, some of it is useful and legible enough to be called a “journal entry”, but most of it is made up of objects meant to spark the memory of the rapidly fading times.
LT: Did you anticipate that in writing your personal stories that they would help to serve as a catalyst toward decreasing stigma that continues to shroud these topics?
ACF: I know that whenever someone tells the truth, we all benefit. I knew that hiding doesn’t help or heal. I couldn’t anticipate the response to my book, but I can understand it.
LT: How would you advise other women to move past their fears in being able to tell their own truths?
ACF: You’re the only one who knows your whole story. It could be a great gift to the world to share that story with us, if you are so inclined. If not, I think that’s perfectly fine, too. We don’t all share ourselves the same way. I just hope every woman finds some way to express the truest version of herself.
When asked to describe the ideal person she might hope to find her book, Ashley simply stated, “Anyone who needs something the book has to give.” Readers will undoubtedly find this book has a lot to give.
Find your copy and more on AshleyCFord.com.
Laura Tuzzio is a freelance writer who enjoys books, travel, music and spending time with her family.
