This is an edited version of my "All Write!" column in the Rutland Herald, published January 29, 2016 The most compelling reason to write as far I'm concerned is the ability to access a great wealth of knowledge about yourself. Dr. Ira Progoff, who is considered the grandfather of personal journaling due to his development … Continue reading More than you know: Why and how to start journaling
authenticity
A Path to Publication, pt 15: An editor is your friend
I try to shake loose my mind, so something fresh can fall out… This process acts like a sifter—sand falls through and bright nuggets come to light. –Natalie Goldberg, Thunder and Lightning In my last post I wrote about the struggle I was having with a particular essay. Every tweak made it seem even more … Continue reading A Path to Publication, pt 15: An editor is your friend
Yes! I Will Speak
I stumbled across this poem today that I wrote two years ago during grad school. I don't remember writing it and it's far from the best poetry ever written. But it's fierce, and I like it. Yes, I will speak my truth although you tell me it's not true Yes, I will cry even though … Continue reading Yes! I Will Speak
Stop striving. Start listening.
This is a follow-up to this post: On a mission (statement) I've written of Serendipity and Synchronicity before. There have been many examples of it in my life, such as the time two women showed up to one of my workshops out of the blue. It "just happened" that these two women were from the … Continue reading Stop striving. Start listening.
On a mission (statement)
Recently I met with a career coach. My intention was to see how my (rather unorthodox) skills and experience might translate into the "real" world and a "real" job. Well, you know that saying, "Physician, heal thyself"? My session with her was a clear example of how we can be blind to our own needs … Continue reading On a mission (statement)
A Path to Publication, part 12: When the silence descends
Silence. My yearning for it is as strong as my need for sleep. At least eight hours of sleep and almost as much silence. Otherwise, don't expect too much from me. Today I have silence. For an entire day. It's a different kind of silence than I experience weekly once the kids are off to … Continue reading A Path to Publication, part 12: When the silence descends
The Path to Publication, part 7: Brewing questions
What is it ABOUT? It's been almost exactly a year since my graduate thesis and creative project was approved by my advisors. It has had time to mellow. Or ferment? Was I afraid it had fermented so much that it would explode when I took it from its box buried in the closet? What on earth … Continue reading The Path to Publication, part 7: Brewing questions
Clickage: When it all comes together
I've been a tad hard-of-seeing, for probably, oh, let's see. Ever. I don't mean with my physical eyes (although when I finally got glasses for long-distance in college I was amazed to find that objects in my surroundings actually have edges). No, what I am referring to a general lack of focus when it came … Continue reading Clickage: When it all comes together
W.O.R.D.S.: Hell (or Unpeeling the Onion of your Psyche)
The W.O.R.D.S. Project (Words Open Resonating Depths of the Sacred): An alphabetical search for questions.* Hell? There is no fire, no devil, no death that holds me in its hot grasp of fear, Even heaven holds no charm to trick me when it is so clear, that, yes, Life can be hell if it is … Continue reading W.O.R.D.S.: Hell (or Unpeeling the Onion of your Psyche)
The Path to Publication, part 5: Writing from “home”
(Number 2 of 3 posts on the Creative Nonfiction conference in Pittsburgh, PA, May 23-25, 2014) I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in needing time to recoup and process after downloading a bunch of information. After a conference, for example, I need time to transition back to regular life, as well as time to assimilate … Continue reading The Path to Publication, part 5: Writing from “home”
joanna tebbs young 