Unlock Your Inner Storyteller: A Journey to Transformative Writing
“Sharing your story in a way that can bring transformation to someone’s life is an art.”
The pull to know myself through stringing together sentences and paragraphs has been with me for as long as I can remember.
At a very young age, I began keeping a journal. My maternal grandmother gave me my first one when I was seven. I discovered early on that writing fulfilled my desire to understand myself and make sense of what I was feeling inside. If I was upset, anxious, or overly excited about something, I always felt better after writing in my journal. Writing settled my mind and eased my heart.
Writing as a path to clarity
Today, when I feel overwhelmed, lost, or incredibly passionate about something, putting pen to paper always clarifies a situation and illuminates the path forward. I have come to know that unease, anxiety, or frustration are simply the ways my soul speaks to me; they are the expressions of the impulse of new information wanting to be known by my conscious awareness.
I've always been attracted to authors who are brave and bold, sharing with vulnerability the story only they can tell. Courageous and authentic stories of transformation, adversity, healing, and truth inspire me. As readers, we can recognize ourselves in a true story told well; it can be incredibly transformative.
Join me in Tuscany for a guided writing retreat and unlock the power of your narrative. Whether you are a writer seeking to dedicate time to a project under the guidance of a bestselling author, or someone who has felt the urge to write but never had the chance, this retreat offers a unique opportunity. Discover More & Register Here
Relearning to write
This is what I wanted to do when I wrote my first book, my memoir Be Feel Think Do—to learn how to write in a way that a reader could relate to and see themselves in my stories. Having been an academic for most of my young adult life, I had learned to write rationally, devoid of subjectivity and emotions, in a way that would interest only a handful of intellectuals looking for theories to describe art. I needed to relearn how to write to connect with a larger audience, and I wanted to make my writing relatable to a seeker on the edge of transformation.
Writing our story is one thing. Sharing it in a way that can impact someone's life and bring transformation and growth is an art.
Writing as a practice of self-love
Writing Be Feel Think Do was a practice of self-acceptance and self-love. I had to accept the truth of what had happened to me, love deeply how I navigated through these experiences, let go of judgment, and embrace shame. I had to become intimate with my inner world.
I became radically honest with myself and everything that lived in me, what I had carried inside but never expressed. When I allowed this to happen, I was able to share my story in a book.
How to write your own transformative story
A practice of self-acceptance and self-love is the first step in writing your story from within, the story only you can tell. If this is something you would like to do, here are the steps to get started:
- Choose one impactful story: Select one event that happened to you that had a significant impact.
- Write from the past perspective: Write from the perspective of the person you were when the event occurred.
- Relive the experience: Put yourself back in your shoes at that age. Describe how it felt, what you saw, heard, and what happened around you with vivid details.
- Avoid hindsight bias: Even if you have a different understanding of the event now, initially tell it with the feelings of the past you, the you who didn’t have the benefit of hindsight.
- Focus on authenticity: Don’t think about who will read it or how to best write for a specific audience. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling at this point. This initial step has to stay pure.
- Detail the raw experience: Tell the story with all the raw and potent details.
- Use a provocative prompt if needed: If you don’t know where to start, use this provocative prompt: “I couldn’t possibly write about…”
Ready to write your story in Tuscany?
Join me for an unforgettable guided writing retreat in the serene and inspiring setting of Tuscany, Italy. Discover the magic of expressing your unique story, connect with your inner voice, and experience personal transformation.
Dates: May 24-30, 2025
Location: Siena, Italy
Sign up now and embrace the journey of self-discovery and creative expression.
