Last week, I began working my way through Jennie Nash’s new book, Blueprint for a Memoir. I have long been a fan of Jennie’s, and I read her first two books in this series, Blueprint for a Book (for fiction) and Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book. Since I am revising a memoir draft, I found […]
Writing a Memoir Is Iterative Read More »
Yesterday on our walk, my husband pointed out a large bush with shiny green leaves, growing by the side of the road. “This plant used to grow out in the swamp near the lake,” he said. He meant his family vacation cottage on Webster Lake in Massachusetts. “I saw it a few days ago, and
In September 2021, just three weeks before I stopped seeing patients in the clinic, I wrote in response to a poem titled “Things That Can Be Lost.” I wasn’t consciously thinking about the imminent loss of relationships with my patients. At first, I wrote about my feelings. “I thought I had lost my anxiety until
Writing Sorrow and Solace Read More »
This week I shared a piece with my writing group that didn’t feel successful. I wrote a response to a prompt that was full of false starts and repeated attempts to begin. I finally stumbled on a topic but then ran out of time. The feedback I got was still valuable. One writer pointed out
When Caregiving Crosses Creativity Read More »
In September 2021, I met with my memoir group. We had been meeting together for a year to get our first drafts written. The prompt was a familiar William Stafford poem, “The Way It Is.” My writing that day gave me insight into what my memoir was about. The poem speaks of a
About five years ago, I attended a Professional Training for AWA facilitators. We were an energetic group, and we all had a vital thing in common. We wanted to help people write and heal through their writing.
How to Be an Authentic Clown Read More »
In Buddhism, there is a middle path. Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, was born into a life of indulgence. Later in his life, he practiced extreme asceticism and deprivation. When he sat meditating under the Bodhi tree, he became enlightened, and he found a middle path.
The Middle Path of Empathy Read More »
Last week I mentioned the first agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements, be impeccable with your word. Today’s post is about agreement #3, don’t make assumptions. Being a Palliative Care doctor helped me learn to be more direct in my speech. One of the keys to this was to stop making
Learning Spiritual Truths Read More »
The members of the writing group I facilitate have been together for six months. And the safety of the group is up to me. I no longer consider myself a freshman facilitator. I am a sophomore, or as my father called them, wise morons. The word sophomore derives from the Greek, sophos meaning wise
Staying Safe on the Learning Curve Read More »
Some of the worst times in my life have turned out to be the impetus for some of the best times. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I examined my choices in a close way. I didn’t make a lot of changes immediately, but I planted seeds that led to improvement in my lifestyle and
The Value of Reframing Read More »
