Books about the Writing Life

At the beginning of this year, I discovered Philosophy of Writing by David Arndt. It's one of the best books I've ever read about WHY we write. The point of writing is to test and examine our thoughts, to clarify, deepen, and refine them. It leads to truth and wisdom. Arndt also has many practical tips at the end for good writing. I highly recommend it and thank Bloomsbury for an Open Access copy that you can also download: Philosophy of Writing: : David Arndt: Bloomsbury Academic - Bloomsbury  Doesn't that cover make you want to slip inside the book?

This first half of the year has been busy with babies and music and travelling, so I am relishing the quieter pace this summer to read and write. I feel like I am returning to myself. Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life by Charlotte Donlon came on my radar at just the perfect time. Although I rushed through it to write a review, I will be getting my own paper copy to mark up, to accompany me. Those who've not had spiritual direction might wonder what it is--it is to invite the Holy Spirit into a holy conversation, to affirm, to clarify, to raise questions, to listen. It is creating a sacred space for attentive presence. Although Donlon writes from the Christian perspective, writers of all faiths should be able to relate to her spiritual direction and apply it to their writing lives. I found it fascinating that when my writing isn't going well, I'm also struggling spiritually.

I loved the premise: that all of life is the writing life. Donlon organizes the material into four parts: Belong, Become, Behold, Bestow. And even before we begin, there is silence. Before silence, breath. Before breath, being! The blank page waiting to be filled. A sacred space full of possibility. Isn't that just beautiful? She writes gently and with great insight. Some examples: Begin where you are, begin with 15 minutes, begin with prayer. Belong to yourself, belong to your desires, belong to a poem. Become friends with time, become more at peace with uncertainty, become a writer who writes in the dark. Behold through contemplation, behold the ordinary, behold your own writing. Bestow through words and objects, bestow through story, bestow through intercessory prayer. And then to Begin Again. I loved the concept of how we return in cycles and spirals, how it reinforces connection to our own selves, others, God, and our creative efforts. This is a great gift for writers. Thanks to Netgalley for a review copy.

Spiritual Direction for Writers made me think of Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved, in which he explicates how much we are loved by God, and when we realize it, how our lives change. We recognize that we are Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given. So much of the writing life is about receiving and abundance of blessings and then transforming them--our experiences and insights--as gifts, for readers.

Writing with Power: Techniques for Mastering the Writing Process by Peter Elbow has to be one of the best books on the craft of writing. His chapters on Voice are some of the most insightful. Write with freedom. Revise later. Easier said than done for some of us who struggle with perfectionism and all its related fears. Spiritual direction helps to move from fear into freedom, as I begin to trust the creative process, in God even more.

I really enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's Writing Creativity and Soul earlier this year. Part memoir, part writing advice, it reminded me so much of her older book--Firstlight--a compilation of her essays in Guidepost magazine, full of wisdom for the creative life. 

Catching up on Book Reviews

It seems that ever since I started keeping a physical log of the books I read, I've been remiss posting reviews so it's high time I mended my ways. What triggered this confession is seeing Carol Baldwin's wonderful article on children's books that appeal to adults in Writer's Digest. Her debut historical novel, Half Truths, is one that definitely would appeal to adults, given it's set in 1950s and many people who were coming of age in that time are still alive and have memories of what it was like in North Carolina. But it's the timeless quality of the story itself. A young country girl coming of age, having impossible dreams, discovering family secrets long buried. It's a story about friendship, racial tensions, and societal mores. Although I guessed the secret early on, it did not deter from the pleasure of reading the story. I appreciated seeing how the real Horace Carter mentors the fictional Kate Dinsmore in journalism. Truth really does set you free. Carol Baldwin grounds us in the time and place deftly by having quotes from the Tabor City newspaper. Meticulously researched, beautifully written, and so very encouraging--this is a book 20 years in the making! You can learn more about Carol and Half Truths on her blog: Carol Baldwin's Blog: HALF-TRUTHS. Many thanks to Carol and Monarch Publishing for the ARC I read last year. 

I was so eager to read Joy McCullough's memoir, Suffer a Witch, because it deals with a very sensitive topic, being groomed and assaulted by a youth pastor, and how the author overcomes this breach of trust. Her prose poems are brutally honest and she pairs them with letters to women of the past (the vast majority of them burned as witches). What makes me doubly sad is that the author's own father was the senior pastor and although girls brought it to his attention, nothing was done. Although I can understand the author's rage, the book offers none of healing balm that I would've expected for others. I cannot recommend this book at all because it is full of hatred. I found myself praying for the author, that God will grant her the grace to forgive her youth pastor. And I pray that justice is served. That youth pastor should be brought to trial, punished, and not ever be placed in a position to groom and assault young women. Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy. 

Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You by John Burke was a great gift to me. I needed to read this after my father's passing and truly I am praying that he chose to be with Jesus. As the subtitle says, John Burke weaves near-death accounts with Scripture and it makes you long for heaven even more. What is clear is that there's a review of life that occurs--how our actions, good and bad, affected others, how even our failure to act affected others, and how much everybody wants to be with Jesus because of the unconditional love they experience. He had examples of NDEs from other faith backgrounds who converted to Christianity because they saw the truth--that Jesus is God. Burke also writes about NDEs where the people are given a vision of hell. It is truly horrifying. Many saints have had visions of hell, including the three little visionaries from Fatima, and so they spent hours praying for conversion so that poor sinners wouldn't go to hell. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in life after life... 

On EWTN's Journey Home Program

It has been busy with the online Catholic Writing Conference (where I offered a workshop on Writing for Hire) and barbershop guest program; I'm still playing catch up, but imagine my joy when I learned that my conversation with JonMark Grodi taped last July would air on EWTN's Journey Home program on Monday, Feb. 2nd, the Feast of the Presentation. Matt Swaim said, "And it’s particularly poignant to me that because of some scheduling your episode got moved to the feast of the Presentation. I don’t plan these things intentionally! But how fascinating that your episode will be airing on the feast of Simeon letting Mary know that a sword would pierce her soul… given the power of the Pieta in your story, it’s hard for me to not make the connection!" God's timing is indeed perfect. Here it is: Journey Home - Vijaya Bodach - Former Methodist and Agnostic. 

A friend captured this on her TV (I was at barbershop practice) and it has been a joy to watch this again. I loved how beautifully JonMark is able to express the essence of what I was trying to say. He's a wonderful host, putting me at ease. I urge you all--speak or write the story of what God has done in your life. As Rick Warren says in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, "God wants to use you." With Lent just around the corner, perhaps you'd like to pick it up. I've given away multiple copies of this wonderful book. 

Our grandson was baptized on the Feast of St. Paul Miki and Companions (Japanese martyrs) in the baptismal gown that my mother had sewn for us. Given how much Christians are persecuted, I often wonder whether our children and their children will be called to make the ultimate sacrifice for the faith. We live and die in Christ. But will we have courage? I pray for it. 

The material is silk damask and it looks like it could be from the leftover material from my grandfather's priestly vestments. I was the last person in my family to be baptized in this garment until now. My sister brought it when she came to visit me when Dagny was two months old. Poor Max cried because he didn't fit into it. I draped it over him for a picture. I will keep it for a while--until Max and Laura's little one is baptized.

We were atheists then, so it was just a pretty garment to dress Dagny in. We didn't even pretend to baptize her--there's a story about St. Genesius, how he was converted while in a play mocking Christian baptism. The Holy Spirit came upon him and he refused to renounce even when threatened with death. He's the patron saint of actors, of people who work in theatre and movies. Anyway, I have to speak about another movie, Nefarious, that shows the value of baptism, of belonging to Christ. I wrote a review here: Vijaya Bodach: Strawberries and the Sacred Heart. Praise God for not letting us remain in sin, for giving us the grace to repent, to turn to Him. On this Feast of St. Valentine, may we remember to always be guided by Love and Truth Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Best Birthday Ever -- DC Wedding Edition

I feel so very blessed and praise God for all He is doing in our lives. Over Christmas holidays, Max and Laura announced they had a date for their Nuptial Mass--Jan. 17th--and it so happens this is the anniversary of their first date at Butterworths! It's also the Feast of St. Anthony the Great of the Desert! We kept praying to God that Ian and Dagny's baby will arrive early enough for me to witness Max and Laura's wedding and our prayers were answered. I had a full week I could spend taking care of the new parents and I had dear friends whom I approached to take care of my baby girl while we were gone, and they did. I asked for a daily dose of the little one :)

On our drive, we finished listening to Ida Elisabeth by Sigrid Undset--loved the slow pace, the interiority, the excellent character development, the digressions. Very similar themes as Kristin Lavransdatter about family, fidelity, the consequences of sin, and of course, redemption. We started The Plague Journal by Michael O'Brien and finished listening at home. Prophetic. We've listened to his other books--The Sabbatical; The Lighthouse. Wonderful writer. But I digress!

We had a delicious dinner at Karravaan | Silk Road Inspired Restaurant. It made me think of Daniel Nayeri's The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams. Beautiful book! I will be helping build my kids' libraries--especially with the best children's books!

Loved visiting the botanical gardens, especially the tropical and orchid gardens. It's astonishing to see the variety of exquisite flowers.

Laura joined us for lunch at Rasika. She went back to work while we visited the National Gallery of Art. So inspiring. I especially loved the paintings depicting Madonna and Child, our Lord Jesus and John the Baptist as infants, the Adoration of the Magi. Why yes, I have baby fever!  

Andrea del Verrocchio, c 1465 

Fall of Man (note the cat) Henrick Goltzius, c 1616

Jacopino del Conte, c 1535

We fully enjoyed our time in DC. It was so lovely to visit with Laura's parents and sister before the big day. Max came over with his tux Saturday morning. We walked over to Eastern Market, got some delicious food, and then got ready for Mass at St. Joseph's. I love St. Joseph and I know this greatest and humblest of saints is watching over Max and Laura. I am so proud of them for arranging everything for a small and intimate wedding, and so grateful for their faithful friends who're walking with them, as they begin their new vocation. 

The organist and cantor sang a beautiful Missa de Angelis. The readings were all focused on the nature of love and God's love for us, from the Song of Songs to the Gospel of John. We pray that Max and Laura will always abide in His Love. I love how Max looks at Laura, with tender love and care. Laura was a radiant bride and so happy! But I sensed an even greater joy the following day when we all met at Butterworths.

We went to Sunday Mass at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and I just loved that the Gospel reading was about the Wedding at Cana! My heart is so full. 

We stopped for the evening in NC and just in time to avoid a winter storm in DC. What grace to wake up in the morning and see the frost on the ground and the geese swimming in the pond. Michael had a celebratory cigar when we came home. We have so much to celebrate and be thankful to God for--new life, new marriage, renewal. May God bless Max and Laura with a long and happy married life. May they bear much good fruit. And may they help each other get to heaven! Heaven! 

Our Amazing Brain

The words of the year were Heal, Restore, Renew. And what a journey it has been. It began with an online retreat with Fr. Shawn Monahan during Advent: The Path to Healing Our Broken Hearts - Oblates of the Virgin Mary. I wrote about it here: Vijaya Bodach: On Healing where I also reviewed key concepts in Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life by Bob Schuchts. Truly, I am learning to become the person God created me to be.

We are body-mind-spirit and too often I have neglected the mental/emotional aspects. I began with the physical, then the spiritual, and over the years paying more attention to my mental health. 

The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain by John Sarno really helped me to accept that my emotions could have caused the chronic migraines. The migraines became horrible during our conversion. Our pastor believed that it was a spiritual attack and I'm sure it was. Every time I've made a quantum leap in my spiritual journey, it's been preceded by horrible migraines. But there's another aspect that I totally ignored--my feelings. Going from a devil-may-care attitude to recognizing the evil within myself hurt deeply. It is a very good thing that the Holy Spirit does not reveal all our sins at once--we would die from the horror of it all. 

Some people might believe that Dr. Sarno is blaming the victim--it's absolutely not that. He writes, "It is important to avoid the pejorative conclusion that because emotions are implicated in etiology, patients are making themselves sick. This is no more logical than feeling guilty for "letting" bacteria into the body. People with psychogenic illness are not deliberately making themselves sick or pretending to be unwell. What we are seeing is the interplay of complicated processes, both physiological and psychological, outside the conscious awareness and control." See a summary of how repressed emotions contribute to chronic pain: Seven key lessons from “Healing Back Pain” by Dr. John Sarno. Of course, he encourages people to rule out physical issues but warns how Western medicine promotes a structural/physical basis of pain and then pills/surgery as the cure. Even functional medicine doctors promote this attitude looking for the root cause, which is well and good, but do not delve into the psyche of the person.

I remember that the first book I read about pain being caused in the brain itself was Back in Control: A Surgeon's Roadmap out of Chronic Pain by David Hanscom. I wrote a lengthy review here: Vijaya Bodach: Chronic Migraines and Healing: Part I -- Back in Control. I have to return to those principles again and again. I recognize how writing and other creative pursuits saved my life. Deo gratias! See: Back in Control Roadmap - Back in Control

The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge was such a joy to read. Each chapter delves into a natural modality of healing, from doing the mental work to exercising mindfully to light therapy and my favorite: the special connection we have with music, what happens in the brain. The stories of people who've suffered from various neurological problems, who were given no hope by traditional Western medicine, but who experimented with other methods and found healing are so inspiring. If you have to read one book on our amazing brain, make it this one! 

The deeper I dive into studying the brain, the more I'm in awe of how beautifully we are designed. Caroline Leaf reminds us of this in her book Switch on Your Brain: the Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health. Our thoughts can actually change the structure of our brains. I really liked that she ties together Biblical principles with science (though some of her science could use more precision).

I'm trying not to make an idol out of my health but I am grateful for the better health I'm enjoying and for the countless blessings God has showered upon me. Peace is the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain and Illness by Maureen Pratt reminds me to be more accepting of how things are. Not perfect!