Cancer Writing Groups...The Pen is Mightier than the Chemo!

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Permalink Reply by Whole_Body_Healer on April 2, 2008 at 12:11pm

I do. I participate in a Writing Thru Cancer program at the Stanford Cancer Center. It's once a month. The first time I participated was very emotional for me, but it was great! I remember driving home in the car & hearing this big YES from my Soul! I really love it, when I can attend. The people are pretty neat too.

We generally have 1 or 2 writing prompts during the session, depending on how many folks are there. The writing prompts are not specifically about cancer, but since all the participants have that shared background, the writing that emerges often carries an essence of being touched by cancer, but not always. Sometimes the writing is very humorous, sometimes very touching, & sometimes very poetic. We have some real ROCK star writers in the group that are amazing. You listen to what they wrote after 20 minutes, and say "Holy cow! That amazing set of words came out of you in only 20 minutes?" Sometimes these words are so incredible, I don't think a lifetime would be enough to get those kind of words out of me! But the beauty is that no matter where you are in your writing, all of it is welcomed & all of it touches the group. I find the act of reading aloud what I have written to be very powerful. It seems to create another level of life to what is emerging from within, and it's wonderful to share it in a safe context.

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Permalink Reply by KirstenNotKristen on April 7, 2008 at 1:03pm

I'm so glad you found a group to write with! Is this Sharon Bray's group? It sounds like you are working with the same methodology we do in our group...1 or 2 prompts. Today our group is working with the theme of spirituality so I will be using a beautiful piece of music as a prompt. The results are so incredible! An, I agree, listening and reading aloud/responses are equally powerful experiences. All the best with your writing!
:)Kirsten

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Permalink Reply by Whole_Body_Healer on April 7, 2008 at 1:54pm

Hey Kirsten! Yes, it is Sharon Bray's group. Have you written with her or someone who has worked with her?

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Permalink Reply by KirstenNotKristen on April 7, 2008 at 2:24pm

In fact, I have not met Sharon personally, as I live in Canada, but her book, "Writing Through Cancer" was the impetus for me to start a writing group here (I need to send her a BIG thank you). I worked in advertising BC (before cancer), but I am trained in the same methodology she is and can't say enough about it in terms of working with those of us living with cancer (or anyone for that matter). I'm so glad it has been such a great resource for you. I am amazed at some of my own writing coming out of the group...I thought I'd be too busy "facilitating," but I find myself going pretty "deep" too. Wonderful!

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Permalink Reply by Whole_Body_Healer on April 7, 2008 at 3:03pm

That's really wonderful. It's great that you could make that transition so easily & that you find yourself going pretty deep. If you do get a chance to participate in one of her workshops, she's really great.

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Permalink Reply by Baldylocks on April 7, 2008 at 1:21pm

Where could I find information on what goes on in these groups? It sounds amazing and inspiring.

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Permalink Reply by Whole_Body_Healer on April 7, 2008 at 1:58pm

You can check out this site of Sharon's Writing Thru Cancer. This has weekly writing prompts that you can write to as well as links (in the Welcome) to her books & her. She does regular, monthly writing groups in Palo Alto & San Diego in CA, & I think teaches a class at UCLA, AND she does various writing workshops all over the place. Hope that helps.

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Permalink Reply by Maria on April 7, 2008 at 8:10pm

Thanks for the link. I think it is really interesting.

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Permalink Reply by Baldylocks on April 8, 2008 at 12:33am

Thanks. I'm going to look into that.

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on April 16, 2008 at 12:30pm

through my blog i am finding salvation...writing is a sure cure for what ails me.. I need to share, I need to "talk" via blogdom, it helps to get comments and to have a dialogue. I have always loved to write, it is the perfect reason to do it.
So go to Blogger and JUST DO IT guys, it heals, like all the other good things we talk about here.
IT'S LADIES WEEK AT debbiedoesraw.blogspot.com.. bueller is up today.. tune in each day for a new story and a new inspiration!
love you
deb

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