Writing to Heal -

Writing a Spiritual Memoir-Your Soul’s Journey: A Guest Post by Linda Joy Myers

We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot,Four Quartets As a student in Linda Joy’s Spiritual Autobiography and Healing Memoir TeleWorkshops through the National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW) since 2010, I have learned that writing a memoir can be a challenging, sometimes heartwrenching journey into self-discovery. It is my pleasure to feature her in this guest post. Welcome back, Linda Joy! There is a moment: standing nearly neck deep in a wheat field, it swirls around me, night is falling, the wind laced with the warmth of summer pushes and pulls my body, dashes across the wheat field. In the west there is the pink of a sunset fading fast,...

Posted by Kathy Pooler on May 8, 2012 in Lifewriting Craft, memoir-writing, Reflection, Spiritual Memoir, The Art and Craft of Writing, The Writing Life, Writing to Heal | 26 comments

Healing with Words~ The Power of Memoir

“Words are the voice of the heart.” Author Unknown I just finished reading Diana Raab’s Healing with Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey, an inspirational story about how journaling eased her diagnosis of breast cancer. Diana, an accomplished memoirist,essayist and poet, is the award-winning author of eight books and over 500 articles and poems . We met on Twitter. I’ll summarize my book review which is on both Amazon and Goodreads in these few words: Reading this book was like being led by a friend from the darkness into the light. The key to the power of Diana’s words is in her raw honesty and willingness to show how a cancer diagnosis forced her to look at elements of her past she had buried. Here’s an...

Posted by Kathy Pooler on Apr 30, 2012 in Journaling, Lifewriting Craft, memoir-writing, The Art and Craft of Writing, The Writing Life, Writing to Heal | 28 comments

Why Reflection and Introspection are Critical to Your Memoir: A Guest Post by Libbye Morris

” It is the function of art to renew our perception. What we are familiar with we cease to see. The writer shakes up the familiar scene,and, as if by magic, we see a new meaning in it.” Anais Nin I am very pleased to feature memoirist and freelance editor, Libbye Morris in this guest post today. Libbye and I met at The Writer’s Digest Editor’s Intensive weekend in Cincinnati in October, 2009. We bonded immediately as we shared our memoir writing journeys. The first chapter of “Root Little Pig, or Die” that she read to me is still with me and I am so excited to have her share her story here. I know you will find her post informative and inspiring. Welcome, Libbye! When I started writing my memoir in 1998, I became...

Posted by Kathy Pooler on Apr 23, 2012 in Finding Your Voice, Introspection, Lifewriting Craft, memoir-writing, Reflection, Self-Publishing, The Art and Craft of Writing, The Writing Life, Truth in Memoir, Writing as a Business, Writing to Heal | 28 comments

Four Tips on Dealing with the Peaks and Valleys of Memoir Writing

“The marvelous richness of the human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.” Helen Keller It’s a well-known conclusion in memoir writing circles that writing a memoir is a daunting task fraught with many challenges, not the least being: excavating painful memories, standing in your truth, dealing with family members who might not agree with your perception of significant events. All that on top of a market that says you have to be a celebrity to sell your story. After all, who would be interested in your ordinary life? Everyone has drama in their lives. What makes your story compelling enough to interest...

Posted by Kathy Pooler on Apr 11, 2012 in Lifewriting Craft, memoir-writing, The Art and Craft of Writing, The Writing Life, Truth in Memoir, Writing to Heal | 18 comments

Sacred Transitions in the Season of Hope

Welcome to my upgraded website, Memoir Writer’s Journey. I will continue to blog about memoir writing and all things related and look forward to welcoming you around my kitchen table. It seems fitting that my new website would launch during the Easter season when Spring announces its presence through longer days, new buds and signs of new life bursting from every corner. It is also the season of hope and renewal, a symbol of new beginnings. As a Roman Catholic, I join all Christians in celebrating triumph over the cross through the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior,Jesus Christ. This three-minute video, One Solitary Life by Simple Truths strikes at the core of what I believe. I’ve always relied on my faith in God during times of trial and...

Posted by Kathy Pooler on Apr 9, 2012 in Gratitude, Hope Matters, The Grieving Process, The Joy of the Resurrection Story, Writing to Heal | 34 comments

A Guest Post by Memoirist Jonna Ivin on How Writing a Memoir Helped Her to Move From “Will Love for Crumbs” to “No More Crumbs”~

“How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it.” Jim Valvano When I started reading Jonna Ivin’s memoir, Will Love for Crumbs, I literally could not put it down. Here’s my Amazon review. I am thrilled to have Jonna describe how her memoir writing helped her to heal and find a positive direction in her life. Jonna is also over at The Heart and Craft of Lifewriting being interviewed by Sharon Lippincott this week so be sure to stop by there for more insights into memoir writing and Will Love for Crumbs. Welcome Jonna! No More Crumbs. When I decided to write my memoir Will Love For Crumbs I didn’t...