Customer Reviews

BECOMING WHOLE: Writing Your Healing Story

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Any writer, in any genre, can benefit from reading Becoming Whole. Dr. Linda Myers has written a wonderfully readable guide to accessing our deep, intuitive wisdom by using exercises that break through writing blocks. Her use of student writing samples demonstrates to all of us that shyness and lack of confidence are not impediments to writing from our authentic self. Dr. Myer's own writing speaks with the authenticity of someone who's been there and who generously offers her hard won wisdom to her fellow travelers in ways that are both practical and healing.
- Neil Fiore, PhD, author of "The Now Habit: Overcoming Procrastination While Enjoying Guilt-Free Play" and
"It's Your Life - Who's In Charge? Your Guide to Inner Peace, Greater Joy & Less Stress"

What I liked most about Dr. Myers' book was her combination of inspirational words and practical exercises. I've read other books on how to write memoirs and not been as impacted as I was by this one. The author concludes each chapter with suggested writing exercises, which is a great way to make the lessons real. It also helped me get past my reluctance to present my truest self on the page. I got what I needed from your book, thank you Linda Joy Myers!

Linda's book has been like stepping stones into my own life. I am using the exercises after each chapter to ask myself the kinds of questions that will bring forth my memories and the truth of my experiences. In this way, I can write in bits and pieces and let my stories find each other. I don't have to take on the project of writing an entire book. I can let the book grow, one story at a time. It is an amazing process of self-discovery. Linda's book guides me into revealing more of what is already there.

Linda Joy Myers writes with the voice of a compassionate teacher. Her stories and her students' made me cry (crying is healing for me); her writing exercises are priceless; the Developmental Questionnaire is "memory provoking" -- all this in one book. Wow!

What a wonderful book! The author is well versed in ground breaking research which shows how autobiographical writing can heal us spiritually, emotionally and completely. In the book she not only describes the state of the art research on writing as healing but she also uses examples from the writing of her students which shows memoir writing at its best. Each chapter ends with thoughtful writing exercises via the author who is also a writing teacher in Berkeley par excellence!

Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story by licensed psychotherapist Linda Joy Myers is an informed and informative self-help guide to chronicling truth, grief, and problems ranging from physical diseases to ills of the heart in the pages of a cathartic memoir. A thoughtful and thoroughly "user friendly" guide focusing upon the emotional healing process of creative work, rather than the nuts and bolts of a "how to" writing manual, Becoming Whole is an exceptional and highly recommended addition to personal and community library self-help and self-improvement reference collections.

I just finished Linda Joy Myer's book Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story. My copy is a little rough around the edges now, filled with Post-It tabs, highlighted passages, and pencil annotations. I know that I will return to this book again and again.

Linda writes about the psychology surrounding writing one's memoir, and the healing that the process can bring. She offers practical advice on ethical issues that may arise if one is writing about sensitive family issues.

The third section of the book is called Writing the Memoir and it was the section that spoke the loudest to me. As Linda shared her process of writing a memoir, I heard that little voice in my head speaking. Memories and ideas for the memoir that I am working on spoke loud and clear.

The Appendix also has useful questions for one to consider as one delves into the past. As I read the questions, things that I had forgotten surfaced and I am certain that as I go back and reread the sections I will find more nuggets that I had forgotten.

If you are writing a memoir this book is a must-read. If your genre is more fictional there is still plenty of information in this book that you will find helpful.

Linda Joy Myer's book is an invaluable resource for the memoir writer. Tackling memoiries can be daunting and emotionally draining. Where to start? What to include? How to be self-nurturing on a this difficult journey? Linda has the answers.

I am writing a memoir with the guidance of Linda Joy Meyers' book. It is not an easy task to re-live the past, yet I have found that with the inspiration of this book, I am able to move through my story with guidance and support. I am now almost done with the first draft! Thank you Linda for all your insights and help.

Dr. Myers says in her book that writing memoir can be healing. I have found this to be true. This book is filled with information about family dynamics, wisdom about the healing effects of writing memoir and being compassionately witnessed in our life stories, and even extensive practical advice on the writing process itself. This powerful book has been very helpful to me. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in self-discovery and exploration of the meaning of life events through writing memoir.