Building a Woman

This collection of poems is a trajectory of one life-from girlhood to womanhood-with all the complications of family the joy of friends grief and loss and ultimately finding lasting love. Meltvedt poetically weaves her experiences growing up as a doctors daughter in California in the 1960s and 70s with the cultural expectations of women (and their reproductive lives) in the past and still today. Building a Woman also gives tribute to how we often find worth within prescribed family lives but maybe more so through long-lasting female friendships. Meltvedts words ring out like bells and call to us like a friend urging us to come visit; stay a while; enjoy. -Anara Guard author of Hand on My Heart...arresting images and precise language that chronicles a womans journey to self-acceptance and love. -Jan Haag author of Companion SpiritHer writing takes my breath and rearranges me-in all of the best ways. -Jodi Angel author of The History of Vegas and You Only Get Letters from Jail