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“Here is the definitive handbook for those courageous souls taking on the creative and ethical challenge of writing a spiritual memoir.—Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice
In Writing the Sacred Journey, readers will discover how to construct a well-crafted spiritual memoir—one that honors the author's interior, sacred story and is at the same time accessible to others. Award-winning writer and teacher Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew provides practical advice on how to overcome writing obstacles as well as guidance for transforming the writing process into a spiritual practice. A writing instructor and spiritual director, Andrew teaches spiritual memoir at Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality in St. Paul, Minneapolis.
“In a time when books on spirituality abound, Andrew writes with uncommon wisdom and generosity. To anyone skeptical that spiritual memoir may be too sentimental or self-centered, Andrew demonstrates that 'the real subject of memoir is not self so much as the human condition' and she urges us to write for the sake of the story itself. This is a book you will return to again and again.” —Julie Neraas, author of Apprenticed to Hope
“As one who regularly teaches courses in spiritual autobiography, Writing the Sacred Journey is the most useful writing manual–of any kind–I have read. Andrew has thought with exceptional depth and nuance about the inner processes of daily writing, what's at stake in revision and what's beyond the block. Andrew is astute not only on profound matters–like the psychology of integrating mystical experience–but also on the most practical, like how to cut a draft that's too long or flesh out a brief, timorous account. I know I will assign this book with confidence to my students. I also look forward to rereading and living with this book as with a wise and trusted mentor.” —Mary Rose O'Reilley, author of The Barn at the End of the World
“Andrew is a subtle and courageous spiritual memoirist. Her candid and compelling ability to share the hard-won secrets of her artistry with fellow writers is borne out in this fine book.” —Lawrence Sutin, author of A Postcard Memoir
Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew teaches creative writing at Wisdom Ways Center for Spirituality in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the author of the novel, Hannah, Delivered; the essay collection On the Threshold: Home, Hardwood, and Holiness, and two books for writers: Writing the Sacred Journey: The Art and Practice of Spiritual Memoir and Living Revision: A Writer’s Craft as Spiritual Practice, which received a Nautilus Award in 2018. She is also a recipient of two Minneapolis State Arts Board artist’s fellowships, the Loft Career Initiative Grant, and a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award. She delights in her partner, daughter, and garden.
Introduction
The Spiritual Memoir
Why We Write
The Attributes of Spiritual Memoir
Getting Started
Inevitable Resistance
Developing the Writing Habit
The Dilemma of Memory
Organizing Your Memories
Your Spiritual Life as Subject Matter
Describing the Indescribable
The Power of Epiphany
Symbols and Metaphors
The Vividness of Childhood
Being in the Body
Honoring Teachers
Journeys
The Significance of Setting
Sharing Suffering
The Numinous
The Craft of Writing
The Power of Showing, The Power of Telling
Finding a Structure for Your Story
Revision as Seeing Anew
Learning to Read as a Writer
Putting It Out There
Writing Practice, Spiritual Practice