5-weeks: October 15 – November 16  $135

One of the things I’ve come to realize over the years is that when we tell the truth to ourselves on paper, we align ourselves with a deeper, more unconscious truth inside of ourselves, and it transforms us.

It’s just like when a chiropractor aligns your bones so there is no pain in your body – when you use words that have deep resonance for you, what is real on the inside starts to manifest on the outside.

I have seen the lives of a number of writers completely change from telling true stories to themselves and others. When writers take risks and trust themselves enough to explore their world and use the language that is accurate, it changes them. It’s like operating instructions from our souls, and I think it’s a pretty brave thing to do.

Telling True Stories

• How would an opportunity to write true stories touch your life?

• Would you finally put words to the crazy, amazing, ordinary experiences that happen to you everyday? Would it bring you the freedom to write thoughts and feelings that you’ve been keeping to yourself? Would it help you honor the writer inside of you?

• Through weekly writing assignments, inspirational interviews with well-known writers, and a supportive community to share your work with, this five-week e-course is your own virtual writing studio where you can write the stories that are knocking at your soul’s door.

10 Tips on How to Tell True Stories

1. Let’s start with the easiest one – Ask yourself what you’re afraid to write about. Bingo. Write this for yourself – you don’t have to share it with other people unless you want to.

2. Trust the words that come out of you. Don’t make them “better.” If you hear the word “shit” or “puss” or “pumpkinhead,” those are the words you should use. Shooting from the hip – just to get the words on paper – is the best way to land something real. It’s your subconscious in action.

3. Never try to pretty up your writing and write things that are appropriate or nice. The more real you are, the more accessible and trustworthy you are to readers. It’s like meeting them at the door with bed-head vs all gussied up. Bed-head is gorgeous you without the frills. We like you better that way.

4. Write as if no one is going to read what you’re writing. This is a practice.

5. Try writing in the second person. The distance you can get when you refer to yourself as, “you,” is amazing. There’s a lot of freedom there.

6. Your truth will resonate with other people. After years and years of working with folks, I believe we’re all in the same soup. Different details, same story.

7. We are all moved when we’re around people who are taking risks and telling the truth. When you tell the truth on paper or in person, you’re showing people how big the territory is so they can step in and join you

8. Be specific, use real details, avoid generalities. If you hear the line, “I need you Bill, but I do not love you,” write that instead of “I’m just not feeling it.

9. Start a sentence with, “If you really knew me…” and finish the sentence. Write that sentence over and over changing the ending. See if you can surprise yourself.

10. Start a sentence with “This is not a story about…”  and you will find yourself backing straight into the story you are wanting to tell.