There is Nothing Ordinary about the Ordinary Life

Last night a woman handed me a brochure for The International Women's Writing Guild "Remember the Magic" writing conference at Brown University from July 30 to August 6.  As I looked at the workshop programs, I noticed a whole session entitled: "Transformation of the Self."  Once again, I realized how empowering - and powerful -  this movement of women writing the stories of their lives really is.

Writing our life story is more than just "scriptotherapy," it is stretching ourselves and celebrating the journey unique to women.

Often people will say, "But who would want to read my memoir?  I am just an ordinary person."  Yet there is nothing ordinary about any life.  Each of us has all the knowledge of the universe at our fingertips.  Our stories have markers along the way that lend insight into that universe, that point to the commonality of kindred spirits.

While exploring themes that resonate with  readers can be the job of both writer and editor, it is the very act of writing that allows the woman to cast aside old notions and delve into the "true script."  The winds start to blow and with it the sense that something new and exciting.is happening . The weight we carry . . . guilt, disillusionment, failure -  those three Horsemen of the Apocalypse -  falls away.  Once again, we experience the magic.