Jerry Waxler
Why Writing a Memoir Is Healing (For You and Your Reader)
August 19, 2022
11 AM PDT | 12 PM MDT | 1 PM CDT | 2 PM EDT
On the surface, writing a memoir appears to be a literary endeavor. And yet as you immerse yourself in the activity, you will discover a variety of profound psychological and social benefits.
In this session, Linda Joy Myers and memoir teacher and therapist Jerry Waxler will drill down into the many uplifting results of writing a memoir. While the main focus of our talk will be about how the process of writing helps you, we will also touch on the ways these rewards spill over to your readers.
You will learn:
- Why writing stories is a far more effective way of coping with the past than trying to forget.
- How your journey of psychological healing is a generous act that enhances the lives of your community and the people you love.
- How memoir writing is an innovative application of a system of healing known as “story” that has been employed by humans throughout the ages.
- How your sensitivity to the psychological unfolding of your main character will increase the dramatic impact of your story.
Jerry Waxler, M.S. LPC speaks, coaches and teaches about how life story writing awakens self understanding. and heals us from the tyranny of unresolved memory. He spells out his observations in the book Memoir Revolution: A Social Shift that Uses Your Story to Heal, Connect, and Inspire. His own memoir Thinking My Way to the End of the World describes his coming of age through the chaotic sixties.
I suffer from medical PTSD, meaning PTSD caused by medical *treatment*, not by a nasty diagnosis or an accident. I’ve written my memoir of discovering that the squirrelly things I sometimes did were caused by PTSD, which I had not known I had. And what happened when I was diagnosed with a serious form of cancer at the age of 56.
My writing started out as a way to organize in my own mind the story of what happened–both when I was a 5-year-old child and again when I was 56. And all the years in between.
As I have written, I’ve shared with others, and I find that you are correct: my story is healing not just for me, but for other people who have been traumatized by their medical treatments.
I’ve known Jerry for over 40 years and he has blossomed as a writer before my eyes. His voice is kind, wise and his experience vast and deep. He’s a deeply spiritual being in a human form.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity.
There is no link to sign up?
Hi Sarah,
Today’s event is for NAMW members only, which is why you did not see a sign up form.
We hope that you will considering joining NAMW! You can learn more here: https://www.namw.org/become-a-member/
Kind Regards,
Erica
NAMW
I would like to join in today at 2pm Easter Standard Time…I live in PA
Hi Kay,
Today’s event is for NAMW members only.
We hope that you will considering joining NAMW! You can learn more here: https://www.namw.org/become-a-member/
Kind Regards,
Erica
NAMW
I’m interested in the memoir seminary but you don’t provide ANY info on how to sign up. Mistake in setting up the page, perhaps?
Please respond to indicated email address below.
Gracias,
Iris
Hi Iris,
Today’s event is for NAMW members only, which is why you did not see a sign up form.
We hope that you will considering joining NAMW! You can learn more here: https://www.namw.org/become-a-member/
Kind Regards,
Erica
NAMW