Resources
by Sharon Bray, Ed.D ...
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by Sharon Bray Writer and educator Sharon Bray is best known for her innovative work in leading therapeutic writing groups for men and women with cancer and for teaching and mentoring helping professionals in the use of expressive writing for those who have suffered pain, loss or trauma. Writing Through Cancer is a website designed for those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Each week, Sharon posts a writing prompt designed to inspire us to write from our cancer experiences. Each prompt will be available on the site for one month. |
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When Words Heal: Writing Through Cancer by Sharon Bray Preface written by Martin L. Rossman, M.D., Author of Fighting Cancer from Within and Guided Imagery for Self-Healing. An insightful and useful book for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, When Words Heal explores the power of words to heal. Dr. Sharon Bray provides detailed instructions for those wanting to lead a writing group for individuals living with cancer, or for those who simply wish to write through their experience of cancer. |
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A Healing Journey: Writing Together Through Breast Cancer by Sharon Bray A Healing Journey describes and demonstrates the healing power of writing and sharing our stories aloud through the experience of breast cancer. Building on the research of James W. Pennebaker, David Spiegel and others, the women's stories are interwoven with the author's observations as writing group leader. An informative and moving account of the power of writing together to heal and create community, it is a useful and helpful book for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, for helping professionals and for writing group leaders. |
Other Selected Books
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by Natalie Goldberg For more than twenty years Natalie Goldberg has been challenging and cheering on writers with her books and workshops. In her groundbreaking first book, she brings together Zen meditation and writing in a new way. Writing practice, as she calls it, is no different from other forms of Zen practice - "it is backed by two thousand years of studying the mind." Full of insightful anecdotes and practical writing exercises, this is a "must own" writing classic. |
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by Natalie Goldberg This is Goldberg's first book since Writing Down the Bones to focus solely on writing. Old Friend from Far Away reaffirms Goldberg's status as a foremost teacher of writing, and completely transforms the practice of writing memoir. To write memoir, we must first know how to remember. Through timed, associative, and meditative exercises, Old Friend from Far Away guides us to the attentive state of thought in which we discover and open forgotten doors of memory. At once a beautifully written celebration of the memoir form, an innovative course full of practical teachings, and a deeply affecting meditation on consciousness, love, life, and death, this book welcomes aspiring writers of all levels and encourages us to find our unique voice to tell our stories. |
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Writing Out the Storm: Reading and Writing Your Way Through Serious Illness or Injury by Barbara Abercrombie This powerful and deeply inspirational handbook is for anyone coping with serious illness or injury - be it theirs or that of a loved one-who wants and needs to help themselves through the healing process. Offering her own experiences with breast cancer, as well as stories from other authors who have suffered from illnesses or severe injuries – from Steven King to Lance Armstrong – Abercrombie encourages readers to write what is in their hearts and to benefit from the power of shared experience. Writing Out the Storm is a book about healing the soul. |
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Courage and Craft: Writing Your Life into Story by Barbara Abercrombie Have you always wanted to write about your life, but wondered how to get started, how to keep going, and whether it's even worth it in the first place? Under the guidance of veteran author and writing teacher Barbara Abercrombie, you'll learn how to turn the messy, crazy, sad, and wonderful stuff of your life into prose or poetry that has order, clarity, and meaning. |
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Writing to Heal the Soul: Transforming Grief and Loss Through Writing by Susan Zimmermann When Susan's first child, Katherine, developed a neurological disorder that left her unable to walk or talk, Susan struggled with fear, denial, guilt, bitterness, and despair. She began to heal only through writing. Working through conflicting emotions with paper and pen enabled her to transform her sadness into acceptance and even joy. Writing to Heal the Soul was written for those suffering any kind of grief or loss, whether the injury, disability, or death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or the end of a relationship. Lyrically illustrated with true stories from the author and others, the book offers simple yet inspiring writing exercises to help you resolve your pain as you transform your grief into words of hope and healing. |
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Writing As a Way of Healing: How Telling Our Stories Transforms our lives by Louise DeSalvo In his inspiring book, based on her twenty years of research, highly acclaimed author and teacher, Louise DeSalvo, reveals the healing power of writing. DeSalvo shows how anyone can use writing as a way to heal the emotional and physical wounds that are an inevitable part of life. DeSalvo's program is based on the best available and most recent scientific studies about the efficacy of using writing as a restorative tool. |
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Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering from Trauma & Emotional Upheaval by James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D. The simple act of expressing your thoughts and feelings about emotionally challenging experiences on paper is proven to speed your recovery and improve your mental and physical health. This book, written by one of America's most distinguished research psychologists, guides you through a brief, powerful series of directed writing exercises. Each will leave you with a stronger sense of value in the world and the ability to accept that life can be good – even when it is sometimes bad. |
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Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions by James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D. Psychologist James W. Pennebaker has conducted controlled clinical research that sheds new light on the powerful mind-body connection. This book interweaves findings with insightful case studies on secret-keeping, confession and the hidden price of silence. Filled with information and encouragement, Opening Up explains how writing can improve your health; how long-buried trauma affects the immune system; why it's never too late to heal old emotional wounds; and when self disclosure may be risky and how to know who to trust. |