We tell ourselves stories in order to live.
Writing for Wellbeing Publications
My research publications explore the transformative power of writing—how expressive, reflective, and creative writing can serve as powerful tools for self-discovery, healing, and growth. Writing is more than a creative outlet; it is a pathway to deep self-awareness and personal transformation. Through my research, I aim to examine the impacts and potentials of writing for wellbeing.
Living with Loss: From Grief to Wellbeing
“These Roots That Bind Us: Using Writing to Process Grief and Reconstruct the Self in Chronic Illness,” published in Living with Loss: From Grief to Wellbeing by Routledge. This chapter explores how writing can serve as a transformative tool for processing grief and reconstructing the self, particularly in the context of chronic illness.
Chapter Overview
Drawing on insights from narrative therapy and grief research, my chapter examines the role of personal writing in navigating the complex emotional landscape of chronic illness. Through reflective inquiry and narrative reconstruction, I explore how writing can help individuals process loss, foster meaning-making, and support identity reconstruction. My personal experiences with chronic illness and caregiving inform this chapter, providing a grounded, authentic perspective on the healing potential of writing. The chapter emphasizes the importance of narrative agency in adapting to life-altering circumstances and illustrates how writing can be both a coping mechanism and a catalyst for personal growth.
How to Access
- Living with Loss: From Grief to Wellbeing is available through Routledge. This insightful volume is an essential resource for anyone interested in understanding the diverse ways people experience and adapt to loss. To purchase a copy or learn more about the book, visit the Routledge website.
- An overview of my research on writing and non-death loss is available in this article about presenting at the 2021 Creative Bridges Conference.
- My chapter was originally published as an article in the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 49(6).
Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice
“The Self as Chambered Nautilus: Discovering the Healing Power of Writing as a Graduate Student,” published in Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice by Routledge. This chapter explores how writing can facilitate self-transformation, using the metaphor of the chambered nautilus—a symbol of growth and expansion.
Chapter Overview
With reference to Dialogical Self Theory (DST) as a framework for understanding the multiplicity of our identities, my chapter considers how individuals can support their healing journey, foster academic growth, and enhance personal development through writing. My reflections as a graduate student, where I engaged with themes of chronic illness, caregiving, and trauma, serve as a foundation for this chapter. The chapter advocates for the integration of personal writing into academic curricula as a means to foster critical thinking, creativity, and resilience among students.
How to Access
- Writing for Wellbeing: Theory, Research, and Practice is available through Routledge. This comprehensive volume is an essential resource for anyone interested in the intersection of writing and wellbeing. To purchase a copy or learn more about the book, visit the Routledge website.
- An overview of my research is available in this article about presenting at the 2023 Creative Bridges Conference.
The Spiral of Increasing Self-Awareness: Creative Writing for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
“The Spiral of Increasing Self-Awareness: Creative Writing for Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse,” published in LIRIC: The Lapidus International Research and Innovation Community Journal, explores how creative writing can foster self-awareness, resilience, and personal growth in survivors of childhood abuse. The article examines writing as a reflective practice that enables individuals to process trauma, make meaning from their experiences, and reclaim their narratives.
Article Overview
Drawing on insights from narrative therapy, expressive writing research, and trauma-informed approaches, this article highlights how creative writing can serve as a transformative tool for adult survivors of childhood abuse. Using the metaphor of the spiral—representing an ongoing journey of self-discovery and healing—I discuss how writing can facilitate deeper self-awareness, emotional integration, and a sense of agency. The article also explores the role of metaphor, storytelling, and structured writing exercises in helping survivors navigate their past while envisioning new possibilities for their future.
How to Access
- LIRIC: The Lapidus International Research and Innovation Community Journal is an open-access publication dedicated to exploring the intersections of writing, wellbeing, and research. To read my article, visit the journal’s website: LIRIC Vol. 2(1).
Poetry, Fiction & Non-Fiction
- The Heart Split Wide, 2023 Stroll of Poets Anthology
- The Pall of a Past World (Short Fiction), Coffin Bell Journal, 4(1)
- Then Beggars Would Ride (Short Fiction), Voice Magazine, 18(5)
- Best of 2008: Do Not Go Gentle (Non-Fiction), Voice Magazine, 17(1)
- Do Not Go Gentle: My Grandmother’s Rage (Non-Fiction), Voice Magazine, 16(4)
- Poetry Feature, Voice Magazine, 15(9)/14(30)/14(3)