We read to gather information. We write to express ourselves. Both are widely pursued by most as legitimate means for gathering support against life’s unstoppable, chaotic progress.

However, “reading about writing,” or, “writing about writing” is often rejected disdainfully, even the most dedicated academic. This genre of writing is often flippantly marginalized into supermarket, self-help sections between fad diets and tabloid trash. I am certainly guilty of this discrimination.

Louise DeSalvo has convinced me to issue my profound apologies. Her book, Writing as a Way of Healing: How Telling our Stories Transforms our Lives, stands now in my mind as an invaluable piece of literature. I tout this work as required reading for any that wish to write their passions-agony or ecstasy, fiction or non.

As both a writer and editor, I claim this book as a near consummate resource for any that wish for their creativity to fashion their key out of overwhelming circumstance. Through writing, DeSalvo claims that one can psychologically and spiritually overcome one’s tragic circumstances and re-envision those select instances through the construction of therapeutic narratives.

These narratives are re-constructive, but not revisionist. DeSalvo advocates an honest, unflinching examination of seemingly uncontrollable events. One’s innate creativity orders our inborn psychic defenses, empowers us with the ever present, but sometimes forgotten choice---to yield or to exist.

She thoroughly and responsibly outlines her programs. She has researched prudently and openly shares these sources with the reader. The examples she gives vividly and intimately illustrate her points. This was truly a wonderful read.

Her insights into the creative process have over-reached even her objectives of ministering to beginning writers. Even though I consider myself a seasoned and profession writer and editor, I gladly put away my ego and became her student.

Her instruction can be applied to all genres of writing, not just autobiographical novels, but all narrative formats. In fact, every attempt towards speech would benefit from her experience.