74: When Criticism Cuts You Off at the Knees: Finishing Your Memoir Anyway — with Rose Hurst
Rose Hurst on Memoir Writing, Self-Publishing, and Overcoming Overeating
I absolutely loved this conversation with Rose Hurst, author of the new memoir, I Ate Everything But the Napkins: How I Overcame Overeating. Rose’s story is truly a testament to the idea that the path you think you're on might not be the one that leads to your most meaningful work.
Rose and I dove into the incredible story behind her 2026-released memoir, which spans her life from a sheltered upbringing on a farm in Canada to working in the Arctic, and then an unexpected journey to Australia, where her overeating began. She shares how she accidentally discovered the root cause of her compulsion: the fear and anxiety of being so far from home. It’s a powerful conversation about finding your way back to your native country, your native self, and healing through writing.
Rose also walks us through the challenges of moving from freelance magazine writing to publishing a full-length book, including why she chose self-publishing—and the endless, unexpected tweaks involved in the process. We discuss the criticism that nearly made her quit (and did, for over a year!), the sheer vulnerability of sharing your deepest life memories, and why sometimes you just have to let your imperfect work go.
Key Takeaways:
Rose accidentally started her memoir while taking a writing course in 2020, proving you don't always need a grand plan to begin your most important work.
The memoir covers Rose's adventurous, non-linear life, including working in the Arctic and meeting her first love, who she met while working at a bank in Yellowknife, and how she overcame overeating.
Another writer told Rose she should cut her memoir by a third, a devastating criticism that led her to put the draft away for over a year.
Rose’s favorite writing ritual involves doing her diary from the day before, followed by "Future Scripting," which she says has been better than antidepressants.
Book marketing advice: If you're sick of hearing yourself talk about your book, say it three more times, because not everyone is hearing your message.
Rose’s advice for memoirists is to be prepared for the vulnerability of reliving your memories and to understand that you don't have to publish it—you can write it purely for yourself.
Timestamps
00:00 Meet Rose and Her Memoir
00:57 The Memoir Class
02:01 Yellowknife Arctic Adventures
04:52 On Overeating
06:06 Why Australia Triggered Food
08:23 Daily Writing Habits
09:15 Self Publishing Choices
12:30 Endless Book Production Tweaks
17:03 Short Form Writing Adventures
18:19 A 50 Word Story
19:20 Book Marketing Marathons
21:48 Substack as Fuel
22:45 Letting The Book Go
24:42 How Rose Celebrates
26:30 Memoir Vulnerability Advice
33:31 Finishing And Farewell
Links from today’s episode:
Rose Hurst’s book: I ATE EVERYTHING BUT THE NAPKINS: HOW I OVERCAME OVEREATING: A Story of Adventure, Lost Love, and the Consequences
