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 doctor's 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.


"Meltvedt's 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 woman's journey to self-acceptance and love. -Jan Haag, author of Companion Spirit


"Her 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