Composing a Life PDF Download

Author: Mary Catherine Bateson
Publisher: Grove Press
ISBN: 9780802138040
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
This reissue of Bateson's treatise on the improvisational lives of five extraordinary women uses their personal stories to delve into the creative potential of the complex lives of today, where ambitions are constantly refocused on new goals and possibilities.

Author: Dave Larue
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780578108544
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 72

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Book Description
Dave LaRue is an international businessman and entrepreneur who owns and leads more than a dozen thriving companies. He also spends a great deal of time coaching entrepreneurs on how to achieve the same level of success that he is enjoying in life. Experience has taught Dave that life is about decisions. Deciding what your values are, what habits work best for you, and what your true talents are make it possible to ask the right questions, set the right goals, and make the best decisions possible to chart the path to your own success. But while you're on that path, some of the lessons life has to teach us come from encounters and situations we hadn't sought out or anticipated, and Dave believes that the stories that come to each individual this way can offer each person an invaluable chance to learn who they truly are-and what action must be taken to live their life accordingly. In this book Dave shares the stories that provided him with lessons and inspiration on his way to becoming a successful leader and entrepreneur, and he encourages the reader to look at their own life as a collection of stories full of priceless lessons and powerful inspiration.

Author: Jane Taylor McDonnell
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0140265309
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 177

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Book Description
"Writing is a second chance at life," writes Jane McDonnell. "I think all writing constitutes an effort to establish our own meaningfulness, even in the midst of sadness and disappointment." In Living to Tell the Tale, McDonnell draws on this impulse, as well as on her own experiences as a writer and teacher of memoir, to give us what should become the definitive book on writing "crisis memoirs" and other kinds of personal narrative. She provides specific techniques and advice to help the writer discover his or her inner voice, recognize—and then silence—the inner censor, begin a narrative, and develop it with such aids as photographs and documents. Citing many landmark works such as Maxine Hong Kingston's The Woman Warrior and Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes, as well as unpublished writings, McDonnell shows how writers can recreate past experiences through memories, and imaginatively reshape material into the story that needs to be told. Each chapter concludes with exercises to help the writer grapple with particular problems, such as trying to write about experiences that are only partly recalled. McDonnell also offers a list of recommended reading. • Memoirs, such as Mary Karr's The Liars' Club (Penguin) have hit bestseller lists nationwide during the past year, and are of great interest to aspiring writers.

Author: Ronald W. Page
Publisher: WestBow Press
ISBN: 9781512722314
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book is a story of how one man experienced many tragedies and struggles as a young boy through adulthood. His story is an inspiration to anyone who is living or has lived through similar experiences. In reading about the author's life experiences, you may feel a connection or conviction, but know that God will carry you through your struggles. To help with your own experiences, open the cover and read on.

Author: Mikey Graham
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1664141413
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 398

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Book Description
August 1952, the Korean War was in its second year. Granny stirred the pot on the stove as the image of Andy getting on the bus headed to the army base crossed her mind; she heard a noise then looked toward the front door. Momma looked up as she sat at the table shelling beans, impressed at the two men in uniform as they came in. They paused for a moment as they removed their caps. Her brother Andy was home on leave, bringing along a buddy of his, Clive, to enjoy a home-cooked meal and spend a few days on the Gulf Coast along the Long Branch River. Andy had spun many tales of his time along the river, and Clive was eager to see for himself. Their daddy was at the store working alone; usually they all would work together, allowing his wife and daughter to be at home when they arrived. Clive was immediately attracted to Momma: slim build, long black hair, and hazel-green eyes. Momma was swept off her feet, and she and Clive married nine months later. Daddy had to force Clive to marry and face his responsibilities. Granny never did like him very much because he was much older than her daughter and there was always strife between them, but she was pleased the children would have a daddy. She turned fifteen ten days after giving birth to her firstborn. By 1960, Momma had five children and a husband who was abusive and too interested in other women. Near year’s end, he decided to leave once again, never to return. He left the family car, but Momma could not drive. Granny was living with them since her husband passed, and she could not drive either. They met Allen Stone, who lived in their neighborhood, who agreed to drive them to Machanna, which should have only taken about four hours. Several months later, their kidnapper Allen Stone was arrested along with Momma. They were placed in a foster home until she was cleared of any involvement with him in his crime-ridden trail across the country. She remained there with them working in the foster home until she paid them back for their care and raised enough cash for the trip home. Almost a year later, they made their way to Uncle Andy’s house in Machanna.

Author: C. A. Wittman
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781548657703
Category : Cults
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
In February of 1977, during a weekend visit to her uncle's home in Riverside Valley, California, Celena was taken in the night. Two radicalized women planned the kidnapping. Both were members of the Synanon cult's Kidsnatchers group in Marin. One of the women, Celena would learn, was her mother, whom she had not seen for two and half years. Leaving Los Angeles, she came to enter a strange, secluded world where childhood was an experiment, and no relationship was sacred. Immersed in the strange and deviant society of Synanon, Celena would spend the next five years subject to the unpredictable whims of Charles Dederich, the cult's shadowy leader. In a series of scenes, Synanon Kid chronicles cult living from a young girl's perspective and her search for identity and belonging in a world of physical and familial displacement. From the African American communities of South Central Los Angeles to the racially integrated, yet rural and isolated world of Synanon, Celena tries to make sense of and navigate the dichotomy of the mainstream blue-collar life into which she was born and the counterculture lifestyle she inherited. A haunting tale of estrangement, Synanon Kid, is a coming-of-age story of hope, survival, and determination. It is also a story of the unconditional love between a mother and daughter and how that love helped a young girl to grow and flourish against the odds of her distorted childhood.

Author: Shawn Coyne
Publisher: Black Irish Entertainment LLC
ISBN: 1936891360
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 459

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Book Description
WHAT IS THE STORY GRID? The Story Grid is a tool developed by editor Shawn Coyne to analyze stories and provide helpful editorial comments. It's like a CT Scan that takes a photo of the global story and tells the editor or writer what is working, what is not, and what must be done to make what works better and fix what's not. The Story Grid breaks down the component parts of stories to identify the problems. And finding the problems in a story is almost as difficult as the writing of the story itself (maybe even more difficult). The Story Grid is a tool with many applications: 1. It will tell a writer if a Story ?works? or ?doesn't work. 2. It pinpoints story problems but does not emotionally abuse the writer, revealing exactly where a Story (not the person creating the Story'the Story) has failed. 3. It will tell the writer the specific work necessary to fix that Story's problems. 4. It is a tool to re-envision and resuscitate a seemingly irredeemable pile of paper stuck in an attic drawer. 5. It is a tool that can inspire an original creation.

Author: Leslie Leyland Fields
Publisher: NavPress
ISBN: 1641582197
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
Your Story Matters presents a dynamic and spiritually formative process for understanding and redeeming the past in order to live well in the present and into the future. Leslie Leyland Fields has used and taught this practical and inspiring writing process for decades, helping people from all walks of life to access memory and sift through the truth of their stories. This is not just a book for writers. Each one of us has a story, and understanding God's work in our stories is a vital part of our faith. Through the spiritual practice of writing, we can "remember" his acts among us, "declare his glory among the nations," and pass on to others what we have witnessed of God in this life: the mysterious, the tragic, the miraculous, the ordinary. With a companion video curriculum from RightNow Media, this is a "why not" book as opposed to a "how to" book. Leslie asks each of us an important question: "Why not learn to tell your story, in the context of the grander story of God?"

Author: Bobette Buster
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9781452171463
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Do Books provide readers with the tools and inspiration to live a fulfilled and engaged life. Whether it's mastering a new skill, cultivating a positive mindset, or finding inspiration for a new project, these books dispense expert wisdom on subjects related to personal growth, business, and slow living. Written by the movers, shakers, and change makers who have participated in the DO Lectures in the United Kingdom and the United States, Do Books are packed with easy-to-follow exercises, bite-size tips, and striking visuals. Practical, useful, and encouraging, each book delivers trustworthy, empowering guidance so readers can succeed in whatever they choose to "do." Do Story teaches the art of telling powerful stories. The book includes short stories on a variety of subjects; taken together they demonstrate a range of effective narrative techniques. Vivid, enlightening, and brimming with practical tips, Do Story unlocks the secrets to becoming a captivating storyteller.

Author:
Publisher: Loving Healing Press
ISBN: 1615993231
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
ÿWriting for Blissÿis most fundamentally about reflection, truth, and freedom. With techniques and prompts for both the seasoned and novice writer, it will lead you to tap into your creativity through storytelling and poetry,examine how life-changing experiences can inspire writing,pursue self-examination and self-discovery through the written word, and,understand how published writers have been transformed by writing.Poet and memoirist Raab (Lust) credits her lifelong love of writing and its therapeutic effects with inspiring her to write this thoughtful and detailed primer that targets pretty much anyone interested in writing a memoir. Most compelling here is Raab?s willingness to share her intimate stories (e.g., the loss of a relative, ongoing struggles with cancer, a difficult relationship with her mother). Her revelations are encouraging to writers who feel they need ?permission to take... a voyage of self-discovery.? The book?s seven-step plan includes plenty of guidance, including on learning to ?read like a writer,? and on addressing readers as if ?seated across the table .? Raab covers big topics such as the ?art and power of storytelling? and small details such as choosing pens and notebooks that you enjoy using. She also helps readers with the important step of ?finding your form.? --PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY "Writing for Blissÿis about the profound ways in which we may be transformed in and through the act of writing. I am grateful to Diana Raab for sharing it, and I trust that you will feel the same as you read on. May you savor the journey." --from the foreword by MARK FREEMAN, PhD "By listening to ourselves and being aware of what we are saying and feeling, the true story of our life's past experience is revealed. Diana Raab?s book gives us the insights by which we can achieve this through her life-coaching wisdom and our writing." --BERNIE SIEGEL, MD, author ofÿThe Art of Healing "Only a talented writer who has fought hard to overcome life?s many obstacles could take her readers by the hand and lead them through the writing process with such enormous compassion, amazing insight, and kindness. Diana Raab is a powerful, wise, intelligent guide well worth our following." --JAMES BROWN, author ofÿThe Los Angeles DiariesÿandÿThe River "Writing for Blissÿis far more than a 'how-to manual'; it enlightens the creative process with wisdom and a delightful sense of adventure. Bravo to Bliss!" --LINDA GRAY SEXTON, author ofÿSearching for Mercy Street: My Journey Back to My Mother, Anne Sexton "Uniquely blending inspiring insights with practical advice, Diana guides you on a path to discover the story that is truly inside you?and yearning to be told." --PATRICK SWEENEY, coauthor of the New York Times bestsellerÿSucceed on Your Own Terms DIANA RAAB, PhD, is an award-winning memoirist, poet, blogger, workshop facilitator, thought provoker, and survivor. She?s the author of eight books and over one thousand articles and poems. She lives in Southern California. Learn more at www.DianaRaab.com