Writing it Right
an inspiring memoir about the transformative power of writing
Coleen Paratore with mother, Writing it Right.
"I conceived of this book as a way of keeping my mother alive..."
Thus begins author Colleen Paratore's account of the year she and her mom, Peg Spain Murtagh, wrote themselves better.
Frightened that her 75-yr-old mother would not survive a darkest-ever bout with depression, and personally still grieving the end of her 28-year marriage, Coleen suggested they meet regularly to read short pieces they'd written about "good things" in life--a self-help writing club of sorts.
They promised to write and share every week for an entire year.
Meeting for tea or lunch at various restaurants in their beloved hometown of Troy, NY, each read aloud a brief essay or poem she had written. They wrote about faith, family, food, friends, teachers, books, baseball, birthdays, music, meditation, Oprah, the ocean, parks, pets, gardens, gratitude, road trips, recipes, surprises, Sunday mornings...
As the months pass and the experience benefits them in profoundly positive ways, they come to believe that their journey might be a useful model and gift of encouragement for others.
"The pen is mightier than the sword, perhaps mightier than medicine, too. There is great power in writing about our lives--pouring out pain, planting seeds, giving wings to wishes with concrete plans. Pick up a pen and write it right. It's easy and it's free."
Thus begins author Colleen Paratore's account of the year she and her mom, Peg Spain Murtagh, wrote themselves better.
Frightened that her 75-yr-old mother would not survive a darkest-ever bout with depression, and personally still grieving the end of her 28-year marriage, Coleen suggested they meet regularly to read short pieces they'd written about "good things" in life--a self-help writing club of sorts.
They promised to write and share every week for an entire year.
Meeting for tea or lunch at various restaurants in their beloved hometown of Troy, NY, each read aloud a brief essay or poem she had written. They wrote about faith, family, food, friends, teachers, books, baseball, birthdays, music, meditation, Oprah, the ocean, parks, pets, gardens, gratitude, road trips, recipes, surprises, Sunday mornings...
As the months pass and the experience benefits them in profoundly positive ways, they come to believe that their journey might be a useful model and gift of encouragement for others.
"The pen is mightier than the sword, perhaps mightier than medicine, too. There is great power in writing about our lives--pouring out pain, planting seeds, giving wings to wishes with concrete plans. Pick up a pen and write it right. It's easy and it's free."
A Love Letter to our beloved City of Troy, New York..... We met weekly in various Troy restaurants to read aloud and talk about the "good" pieces we had written that week. Manory's, The Confectionery, Knotty Pine, The Illium, Sweet Sue's, The South Troy Diner... A list of all places mentioned in the book is tucked into signed copies of Writing it Right at Market Block Books in Troy.
To book a reading, book club visit, or signing event, contact Colleen at [email protected]
January 2016 Update:
Unfortunately, my beloved mother died of chronic heart disease on December 8, 2015. I held her in my arms in her final hours saying repeatedly, in the happiest voice I could muster, that soon she would see her mother and father.... beloved friend Jay, her Aunt Jo, her two babies that died as infants, her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson... Jesus. Writing this book with my mother was a profound joy for which I am eternally grateful. Just wait until you read my mother's soul-filled poetry and wise essays, delivered with her signature humility. Her love was so luminous... it shines on in all who knew her...it shines forth from the pages of this book.
To book a reading, book club visit, or signing event, contact Colleen at [email protected]
January 2016 Update:
Unfortunately, my beloved mother died of chronic heart disease on December 8, 2015. I held her in my arms in her final hours saying repeatedly, in the happiest voice I could muster, that soon she would see her mother and father.... beloved friend Jay, her Aunt Jo, her two babies that died as infants, her favorite poet, Emily Dickinson... Jesus. Writing this book with my mother was a profound joy for which I am eternally grateful. Just wait until you read my mother's soul-filled poetry and wise essays, delivered with her signature humility. Her love was so luminous... it shines on in all who knew her...it shines forth from the pages of this book.
BUY a Copy TodaY:
Writing it Right is available at:
Marketblock Books, Troy, NY www.marketblockbooks.com
The Bookhouse of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY http://bookhouse.indiebound.com/
Your favorite local bookstore
Amazon.com
Marketblock Books, Troy, NY www.marketblockbooks.com
The Bookhouse of Stuyvesant Plaza, Albany, NY http://bookhouse.indiebound.com/
Your favorite local bookstore
Amazon.com