Deborah Adams's Blog, page 42

Let it go : yogic wisdom to improve your writing

Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay

While teaching a writing workshop recently, I realized that many of the participants were struggling with the same problem I see in my yoga students. It’s the same problem I struggle with myself, more often than not—grabbiness.

Yes, I did just make up that word, but it wanted to exist within the context of this essay. I practiced an extended version of the yoga discipline aparigraha, or non-grasping, by allowing the word to place itself instead...

Cerebral Palsy: ‘A Story’ Finding the Calm After the Storm

Born the second of premature twins, Ilana knew she was different from a young age, but for all the wrong reasons. Part memoir, part motivational guide, this is Ilana’s open and honest journey, from an angry confused child, knowing something was wrong, but not knowing what, to the ‘real’ her – a courageous woman using her experiences and lessons to create inspiring messages about mental and physical health, positivity, resilience and change.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Amazon.UK ~ B&N ~ BAM ~ In...

A Visit From Poet Sylvia Woods

We all need more poetry in our lives. Well, today we’re in luck. Sylvia Woods agreed to answer a few questions about her new poetry collection and the path that got her there. Thank you, Sylvia!

First, let’s mention the new book.

My first book of poetry, What We Take With Us, was published April 20, 2021. The poems trace my roots in Appalachia, my teaching career and my experiences as a mother and grandmother. It is mainly narrative free verse, but there are a couple of forms. It w...

Writing to Heal

a guest post by Christine Shields Corrigan

I’m so pleased to be able to share this guest post from Christine Shields Corrigan, author of the critically-acclaimed book Again: Surviving Cancer Twice with Love and Lists. Thanks for making time for this, Christine!

I learned that words have the power to heal, when as a sophomore in high school in 1981, I was diagnosed and treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Four days a week for three and a half months, my parents drove me from Staten Island to...

Keeping the Faith

a guest post from Lucy Adkins

Huge thanks to Lucy Adkins, co-author of The Fire Inside, for sharing these words of wisdom. You’re always welcome here, Lucy, and so is Becky!

Are you a writer? A visual artist or musician? As my writing partner, Becky Breed, and I write in  The Fire Inside, we are all creative, an inner fire aflame in us, urging us on. But it is not always easy—sticking to our writing or our art—we need to keep the faith.

I believe that the longer we live the creative...

What to say when a child is grieving

a guest post from Lori Orlinsky[image error]

Thank you, Lori, for sharing your thoughts on how we might respond when our little ones are in pain.

When we lost our cat, Tiger, our daughters were five and two. They didn’t understand what was happening. All they knew is that Tiger went to the vet because she was sick and wouldn’t be coming home. As a parent, I always have something to say to my kids. But in this instance, I found myself at a complete loss for words. I think that’s OK. As parents, ...

Fostered Identity by Maggie Thom

Her teenage sister has run away. It’s her fault. And on her watch.

Maggie Thom will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Keep reading to learn how to enter.

Shyla thought she was doing the right thing by helping her teenage sister get a little freedom. She never expected she’d bolt on her. Desperate to keep their mom from discovering she has a missing daughter, Shyla sets out to find her wayward sister.

A fluke encounter ...

Reflections on the Nature of Friendship

guest post by Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, Ed.D.

Daniel Cantor Yalowitz, author of the new book Reflections on the Nature of Friendship, was kind enough to provide a guest post for my blog today. Thank you, Daniel, for the post and for this wonderful book!

Reflections on the Nature of Friendship is a rich, nuanced journey that delves deeply into the fascinating and complex world of friendship. Psychologist and world-traveler Dr. Daniel Cantor Yalowitz takes readers on a carefully narrated tour ...

The Gospel According to Prissy

a new mystery from Barbara CaseyThe book will be on sale for $0.99 during the tour.

Three Army veteran misfits, a college dropout, an unmotivated high school graduate accused of murder, a controversial warden of a women’s prison, and a little girl with the gift of prophesy – these are the people 31-year-old Lara Kruger invites into her life after suffering a miscarriage, a divorce from an abusive husband, and unemployment.

Barbara Casey will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a rand...

George Orwell, Where Are You?

a guest post from author Michael R. French

In this guest post, Michael R. French has hit the nail on the head. Every writer, every reader, every human ought to be concerned about this.

Sound bites in today’s world are as inevitable as they are the nemesis of clear thinking. Politics thrives on sound bites.  Why use a hundred words to explain something when you can have more impact with two or three?

 Slogans and phrases are intended to arouse emotions, which they do, but in  socia...