This section of the Silver Linings newsletter is mostly focused on writing—my writing, your writing…everyone’s writing. If there’s one thing I believe and say over and over again to anyone who will listen is that everyone is a writer…in one form or another.
That’s because I also deeply believe that writing is the way we process our own experiences. At least one of the ways. We talk to others, read, listen to music, draw or paint…activities that expand our realm of perception and give us opportunities to stretch, grow and understand. Writing is one of those ways, but “Writing” has been hijacked by those pesky authors and writers who have published books or poetry or essays and articles. Those guys are the writers…not us. It's their profession. Or—it’s an oft-dreaded subject to be studied and learned. And learned how to do right, determined sometimes subjectively by teachers wielding red pens and telling us we don’t know how to write.
Right?
Nothing against teachers…I’m a teacher. But if we lift writing out of the exclusive niches it has been forced into, we can welcome it back into our own lives and use it for our own purposes. Like sending a letter, composing a poem, inventing a story, creating lyrics. You can write anything you want to, for as long as you want to and in any style or form. It doesn’t have to conform to anyone else’s idea of writing—it’s yours. All yours. Swear to God. Try it. (I’ll throw some prompts in below in case you’re stuck . . . )
Everyday Grief
It is proven by research that writing is cathartic and can help people through difficult times and situations. One of these times is the grief experience and I’m collecting those varied voices into an anthology called Everyday Grief. If this interests you, please click the button below for more information. Also, look for upcoming workshops on writing through grief in the next few months to help those who want to submit get started. But you don’t have to submit a piece—you can just join us. Let me know.
Upcoming classes
Click the button for registration or more info.
Buy Books!
If you’re looking for a new book and you haven’t checked out Bookshop.org, the link is below. I am compelled to hawk my own books (it’s the worst part of being an indie—and older—author!) so the link is to my “shop” on the site, but you can search any book there. The books aren’t as discounted as you might find on Amazon, but Bookshop supports and contributes to independent bookstores. You can even choose your own local shop as a recipient. So if you’re shopping for books, check out Bookshop.org.
And now—some prompts and inspiration through semANTics. ;)
I don’t know that I would pick it as my favorite color but just today I was struck by the color orange. I had just peeled four or five carrots. There they were on the cutting board still wet and glistening with silver highlights, lit by the full sun coming in through the kitchen window. Orange; the warmth of red and the happiness of yellow. And then my mind flashed on how we exist in Time to find the Joys of Orange and all the other colors… nice prompt!
I loooove this! And your accepting and all-encompassing message. No seventh grade English teacher grammar-wardens! Okay, maybe Sister Geraldine can be excused for disciplining my comma extravagance 😊