Writing Through the Muck: Finding Self and Story for Personal Growth, Healing, and Transcendence

by G. Elizabeth Kretchmer

Let’s Face It: Life Can Be Hard

When life knocks us off our feet and into the muck, it sometimes feels impossible to climb out. In fact, the harder we fight, the deeper we sink. But when we can shift our energies and perspective, we find the leverage we need.

Inspired by dozens of writing workshops for cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and others seeking inner truth, Writing Through the Muck offers thoughtful insight and encouragement for anyone who treasures happiness, peace of mind, and holistic wellness.

Discover:
•Surprising evidence that shows why writing is good for you;
•Easy-to-use tools and techniques to awaken thoughts and memories;
•Dozens of poems and quotes to enlighten and motivate;
•Fresh, new ways to look at yourself and your stories; and
•More than fifty creative writing prompts which have already helped countless souls and will get you going on your journey to holistic wellness today.

G. Elizabeth Kretchmer’s compassionate prose and concise chapters are perfect for busy readers and writers of all experience levels. In addition, her willingness to share many of her own experiences in the muck—including multiple moves, broken relationships, alcoholism, and cancer, as well as her journey climbing out and moving on—will undoubtedly spark your desire to start writing.

All profits will be donated to organizations supporting cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and the environment.

412 pages, Paperback

Published March 6, 2020

About the author

G. Elizabeth Kretchmer is passionate about nature, relationships, women's issues, and the power of writing.

Her newest book--Writing Through the Muck: Finding Self and Story for Personal Growth, Healing, and Transcendence--was inspired by more than a dozen years teaching writing workshops to cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and others seeking inner truth and healing.

She is also the author of two novels--Bear Medicine and The Damnable Legacy--and a short story collection, Women on the Brink. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times and various anthologies, literary journals, and other publications.

Kretchmer earned her MFA in Writing at Pacific University and lives in the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews

[Hilary Kretchmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading what this author had to share and right away felt as though I had found a good friend. This book is heartfelt and inspirational, but beyond that, it is full of accessible exercises for those seeking to explore thoughts and feelings through writing; these exercises are unexpectedly fun and at the same time healing. Whether you are an avid journal writer, or someone who hasn't written more than a shopping list in decades, whether you are just looking for new ways to express yourself, or are truly struggling through confusing times, this book is a wonderful guide for self-discovery and creativity. I will keep it on my reference shelf as an invaluable tool and come back to it regularly.

[Sherie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an inspiration for anyone desiring a deeper dive into the thoughts, emotions and events that have brought them to where they are now and a foundation for moving forward. The author presents the reader with a compendium of reflections, words of wisdom and exercises in a thorough, but very accessible way. She provides encouragement to write even for those of us who do not think of ourselves as writers. I loved the book and know that I will come back to it frequently!

[Casie Gambrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

(via windycityreviews.org)

G. Elizabeth Kretchmer’s Writing Through the Muck is a holistic writing guide intended for anyone looking to achieve his or her full potential in life.

The book was inspired by writing workshops for cancer patients, domestic violence survivors and others simply seeking inner truth, personal peace, and healing. It opens with the concept that, while pain and suffering are universal, finding a path through the pain is necessary to achieve ultimate wellbeing and enlightenment. The author’s approach centers around “wellness writing,” which she describes as self-expression on the journey toward holistic health and happier life.

The book is broken down into seven sections, with each one providing specific writing prompts that offer concrete examples to guide the reader through the exercises.

The first part of the text covers the frequently asked questions about wellness writing, which include the author's definition and a thorough breakdown of the many different approaches. The remaining sections (Finding Self; Exploring Self and Story Through Various Portals; Exploring Self and Story Through Others; Digging Through the Deep Muck; Putting it All Together, and Sharing Your Stories) work well when done sequentially, as the book is intended to be used. The author also expresses deep empathy for the layered emotions that users of the book will undoubtedly uncover working through the writing exercises.

The book’s sound advice and helpful tips are based on more than a dozen years of research and teaching writing workshops. The points are reinforced with quotes by such well-known figures as Anne Lamott, Rumi, Mary Oliver, Susan Fowler, and Joan Didion. Also, the author includes personal stories from workshop participants, friends, and family members who have grappled with their own experiences surrounding trauma, loss, self-sabotage, and the feeling of brokenness. Each story and quote throughout the book highlight the value that wellness writing can provide in working through pain to achieve a deeper understanding of personal growth and self-acceptance.

Key points are driven by the author's willingness to share her narrative, weaving it beautifully between the pages with stories, examples, and prompts. She writes of her own experiences of wading in the muck from multiple moves, broken relationships, divorce, alcoholism, and cancer, shining the light on her journey of climbing out and moving on. The book's friendly, compassionate, and conversational tone provides encouragement and support to assist those who use it.

Readers will find the exercises and techniques useful in taking the first steps to explore what it means to break down self-sabotage barriers and realize how repeated negative behavior can stall personal growth. Special note: The book is not intended to replace a traditional therapist, and the exercises may shed light on the need for professional therapy.

Writing Through the Muck is an insightful book filled with life experiences and helpful writing prompts that will expand the reader’s thinking. It is most useful for new and experienced writers who are ready to get off autopilot to understand themselves and live better. It offers creative fuel for the reader’s soul.

The author has a real gift for helping others heal through writing.

[Arleen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleased to be asked to read an early draft of G. Elizabeth Kretchmer’s Writing Through the Muck – Finding Self and Story for Personal Growth, Healing, and Transcendence. I normally veer away from self-help books and my collection of craft books is sadly slim, but I found Kretchmer’s unique use of personal memoir and journal snippets along with writing prompts as tools for self-understanding an intriguing approach whether the reader’s goal be writing development or personal growth. I also enjoyed the inclusion of works from a wide variety of other poets and authors. This is a book to spend time with in much the same vein as Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.

[Krenner1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kretchmer is an able guide to writing through times of despair, anger or just a sense of being lost. Candid with her own perceived failings, she takes the reader by the hand, so to speak, and offers an impressive collection of therapy and literary inspirations, then outlines prompts for the reader to write and heal. I would call it a hybrid of memoir, counseling and writing class. Very powerful!