Journaling into a Larger Life
“The events in our lives happen in a sequence in time, but in their significance to ourselves, they find their own order . . . the continuous thread of revelation.”—Eudora Welty
A journal can be a “continuous thread of revelation.” On its pages we can gain access to our interior lives, reconsider the world, step outside ourselves, tell our life stories, delve deeply into creative projects and learn to pay attention to the moment. Keeping a journal can promote equilibrium, insight and a fresh, original approach to writing and daily living. And research shows that writing about the deep, important stuff of life improves our immune systems and makes us feel better.
Though I’m not currently offering Journaling Into a larger Life, I use many journaling techniques in most of my writing workshops: explorations using: free writing, memory, dreams, character portraits, prompts, poetry, dialogues with aspects of our selves and more. The emphasis is on process—not product.
I keep a journal and highly recommend the discipline. Our journals can help us understand our pasts, discover joy in the present and transform our futures. Journals are also great places to explore ideas for creative projects.
I'm happy to be part of this collection of personal stories, a collaboration involving over 60 teachers of memoir from around the world. The book is published independently by the Birren Center for Autobiographical Writing, through which the authors are certified to teach.
A unique and beautiful exploration of Helen Keller's abiding friendship with prominent journalist Ed Chamberlin–and much more about Keller's struggles, passions, and values. The author is Chamberiin's great-great-granddaughter.
On August 8, 2020, in pandemic heat, I introduced Kristen Rademacher (via Zoom)at the launch party for From the Lake
House, A Mother’s Odyssey of Loss and Love, her wrenching memoir. Flyleaf Books, our hopping indie bookstore here in Chapel Hill, NC, hosted the event. A large crowd from across the country and around the world tuned in for the inspiring multi-media event.
This poignant memoir gives a boy's view of life in Nazi-held Prague and his escape to freedom in a challenging America.
An award winning collection of powerful stories about serving the many needs of elderly and indigent patients, as one of America's first gerontological nurse practitioners.
Essays by women ministers about their challenges and victories in answering the call to ministry.
A mother's 40-year struggle to raise an autistic son – and to grow up herself.
This idyllic memoir recollects the sweet and simple summer pleasures of family life in mid-century Cape Cod.
If you love your pets and make sacrifices for them, you will adore this lively book about a family's needy cats.
The history of a women's shelter in Birmingham, Alabama, as told through many voices.
William Buffett's short essays on nearly everything, arranged as an alphabet book.
Essays about one man's dimensional life including some of his favorite recipes.
