Making Meaning

Blogtalk: A Writer’s Attitude

December 5, 2012

We writers spend a lot of time and money learning about writing. We consume innumerable books, magazines, and blog posts. We attend classes and conferences and webinars. But, underneath all this activity, all this reaching to outside resources, we know that the most important method to becoming better writers is simple: practice, practice, practice. Yes, [...]

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A Week’s Worth of Journaling Prompts: The Search for Meaning

September 10, 2012
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“Our greatest desire, greater even than the desire for happiness, is that our lives mean something. This desire for meaning is the originating impulse of story.” Daniel Taylor, from introduction to tell me a story. I believe that the search for meaning is what drives writers to write, painters to paint, and musicians to play. [...]

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BlogTalk: Memoir, Journal Writing, and Story

August 31, 2012
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As I was in the process of developing my new workshop and soon-to-be course, Journaling for Writers, I spent time revisiting all the reasons for journaling that reach beyond the cathartic. Not that there’s anything wrong about writing for catharsis—it’s just that journaling often gets pigeonholed, as if it’s good only for emotional healing and [...]

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A Week’s Worth of Journaling Prompts: Questioning Authority

August 27, 2012
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I was once married to a man who believed a father should rule his family with unbending authority, the role of authority is to provide security and safety, and the authority figure (the father) should be given respect, regardless of what he says or does. In contrast, I was raised in a permissive family environment, [...]

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BlogTalk: Personal Essay and Memoir–What’s the Difference?

August 24, 2012
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Sharon Lippincott’s recent post, “What’s the Difference Between an Essay and a Story?” brings up an important topic for creative nonfiction writers. I’ve had many discussions (friendly arguments) about the distinction between the two forms. According to Lippincott, Story and Essay are two ends of a spectrum. She says, “We use Story to make sense [...]

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A Week’s Worth of Journaling Prompts: Profit and Loss

July 30, 2012
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Sometimes, when I feel I need centering and a sense of direction, I’ll draw a rune. Runes are small stones or tiles with symbols etched into them—a form of oracle. The little book which accompanies my set of runes defines Oracle as something that “points your attention towards those hidden fears and motivations that will [...]

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A Week’s Worth of Journaling Prompts: Surrender and Release

July 23, 2012
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Responding to last week’s journaling prompts, The Importance of Ritual, Lynn wrote: “I’ve released my rituals, and if they were mine, they’ll either come back to me or be replaced by something better for this time in my life.” As I read her words, I felt suddenly lighter, as though a load had been lifted [...]

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