The Story Within

Laura Oliver has been teaching aspiring writers how to plumb emotional contradictions for insight for more than a decade in workshops and university classes. Now she has written the book her students have been asking her for, a book that aspiring writers of every genre can use to guide, coach, and encourage them on their journey.The Story Within employs the compelling art of memoir to illuminate craft and touches on nuanced subjects only a teacher who is herself actively writing knows to address. Each chapter offers excerpts from Laura's own stories, as well as those of students and published authors and then provides fresh advice and clear instruction on the subject of writing.

“A compelling collection of essays that address the experiences of many who have genetically based illnesses.” —Library Journal The contributors to The Story Within share powerful experiences of living with genetic disorders. Their stories illustrate the complexities involved in making decisions about genetic diseases: whether to be tested, who to tell, whether to have children, and whether and how to treat children medically, if treatment is available. More broadly, they consider how genetic information shapes the ways we see ourselves, the world, and our actions within it. People affected by genetic disease respond to such choices in varied ways. These writers reflect that breadth of response, yet they share the desire to challenge a restricted sense of what “health” is or whose life has value. They write hoping to expand conversations about genetics and identity—to deepen debate and generate questions. They or their families are affected by Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, genetic deafness or blindness, schizophrenia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, fragile X, or Fanconi anemia. All of their stories remind us that genetic health is complicated, dynamic, and above all, deeply personal. Contributors include: Misha Angrist, Amy Boesky, Kelly Cupo, Michael Downing, Clare Dunsford, Mara Faulkner, Christine Kehl O’Hagan, Charlie Pierce, Kate Preskenis, Emily Rapp, Jennifer Rosner, Joanna Rudnick, Anabel Stenzel, Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, Laurie Strongin, Patrick Tracey, Alice Wexler

"In this day-by-day guide through the process of outlining and writing the first draft of your novel in 90 days, [the author] will show you: How to structure your novel without losing connection to your voice; Why you are uniquely qualified to write your story; The dilemma at the heart of your story; How your fears are a portal into your characters; The connection between your life themes and story themes; Why you kept getting stuck, and how to break through."--Back cover.

The Story Within Us: Women Prisoners Reflect on Reading features in-depth, oral interviews with eleven incarcerated women, each of whom offers a narrative of her life and her reading experiences within prison walls. The women share powerful stories about their complex and diverse efforts to negotiate difficult relationships, exercise agency in restrictive circumstances, and find meaning and beauty in the midst of pain. Their shared emphases on abuse, poverty, addiction, and mental illness illuminate the pathways that lead many women to prison and suggest possibilities for addressing the profound social problems that fuel crime. Framing the narratives within an analytic introduction and reflective afterword, Megan Sweeney highlights the crucial intellectual work that the incarcerated women perform despite myriad restrictions on reading and education in U.S. prisons. These women use the limited reading materials available to them as sources of guidance and support and as tools for self-reflection and self-education. Through their creative engagements with books, the women learn to reframe their own life stories, situate their experiences in relation to broader social patterns, deepen their understanding of others, experiment with new ways of being, and maintain a sense of connection with their fellow citizens on both sides of the prison fence.

If he had been with me everything would have been different... I wasn't with Finn on that August night. But I should've been. It was raining, of course. And he and Sylvie were arguing as he drove down the slick road. No one ever says what they were arguing about. Other people think it's not important. They do not know there is another story. The story that lurks between the facts. What they do not know—the cause of the argument—is crucial. So let me tell you...

Somewhere hidden in the depths of each story lies a treasure waiting to be discovered... This creative arts therapies approach uses myth and fairy tale to explore personal challenges. Clients begin by choosing a myth or fairy tale character they feel drawn to, but don't know why. They and their chosen character then embark on a guided creative journey that leads them to discover hidden, unconscious, aspects of themselves. The process is holistic, using all the arts. In addition to explaining the theoretical background of this approach, the book provides detailed step-by-step instructions for readers to follow for their own personal exploration, including specific creative exercises at each stage, and guidelines for using the approach with clients. Also included are clinical case vignettes, reflections from people who have experienced the process, and the authors own personal journey. Whether you are a creative arts therapist seeking to expand your practice, or a health professional searching for a new, creative way of working with clients, The Story Within is an exciting new resource.

The Beautiful Story Within Me is a lyrical tale of love and redemption. Bringing the classic adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover" to life with a surprising twist, the vibrantly illustrated book, rooted in simple Biblical truth, is an enchanting adventure for both children and adults For anyone who has ever felt inadequate: Your story is beautiful. You are seen, known, and truly loved. Reviews: The Beautiful Story Within Me teaches children (and adults) that there is beauty and worth within each one of us, no matter what we look like on the outside. In a creative way, it shows how the Lord loves and values us, even when others don't. The book provides a hopeful message children truly need to hear. -May Patterson, Author, Blogger, and Speaker The Beautiful Story Within Me touches the heart and soul with each word. Reminding us that we are uniquely created and given special gifts, this book inspires and encourages. A great book to give as a gift. -Melissa Henderson, Author