Full Description
A groundbreaking work for healing long-term emotional problems
The Power of Memoir is a pioneering how-to book that provides a new step-by-step program to use memoir writing as a therapeutic process. By going through these steps you'll learn how to choose the significant milestones and turning points that make up a coherent story leading to a life-changing epiphany.
Help uncover the secret stories that are the keys to healing
Explore the dynamics and roles of dysfunctional families
Heal old wounds, creating a better present and brighter future
Using many examples from her students and clients, the author shows how creative, well-planned, and carefully researched memoir writing can offer a process for sorting out the truth from lies and family myths.
Contents
Foreword xi
by Kathleen Adams
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
Part 1 Eight Steps to Writing a Healing Memoir 1
Step 1 Understanding Your Reasons for Writing 3
Step 2 Doing Your Research 16
Step 3 Planning Your Memoir 29
Step 4 The Psychology of Memoir Writing 48
Step 5 The Dark Stuff 65
Step 6 Organizing the Narrative Arc 79
Step 7 To Publish—or Not 98
Step 8 The Power of Writing to Heal 121
Part 2 Spirituality, Therapy, and Stories 145
Chapter 1 Spirituality, Meditation, and Inner Listening 147
Chapter 2 For Therapists Who Use the Healing Power of Memoir 156
Chapter 3 Stories from the Workshops 166
Epilogue 213
Resources 219
Recommended Reading 221
Reader's Guide 227
Bibliography 231
About the Author 237
Index 239
