Reading to feel good, the creative writing process, and the power of self-reflection to learn what is on my mind
I publish once (sometimes twice) per month here on Accompanied.
Feeling more like myself
My favorite books make me feel good for different reasons
Books accompany me through life’s ups and downs. I return to my favorites regularly. It’s as if reading a favorite book is like visiting with old friends. The characters gain insights into themselves and their world, the story provides guidance, it is comforting to return home.
Let me introduce you to the books who have offered friendly, gentle, wisdom. I’m inspired by this author’s premise to review books on her shelves.
Getting to know the self by writing
When I discovered Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, I did not then appreciate how transformative the inner work of journaling and self-reflection would be for me. Before that, I had read Sharon Butala’s The Perfection of the Morning, in which she realizes that writing can be used as ‘an instrument for self knowledge,’ and with her book I was introduced to the appeal of memoire.
I enjoy reading memoire from musicians, artists, performers, writers - their stories of how they learned their craft, and experienced their life as a creative. I appreciate the desire to tell their own story with their own words.
Learning the craft of writing
I am now getting serious about writing novels. Accompany me, as I make my way from draft to published, with my sights on writing something good. My favorite resource is K. M. Weiland’s Helping Authors Become Writers - she is always in step with what I am interested in. Perhaps what I write about here is in step with what you are seeking to learn.
I wrote a historical novel, titled “Wide as the Sky”, a story with timeless themes of setbacks and decisions in family dynamics and romantic relationships. I have not yet published the novel ( I will let you know when it is ready for a broader audience!).
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