On Writing

I believe that writing itself is a spiritual activity, that writing allows and even requires us to become mindful, sit in silence, listen to our deepest inner voices, and engage in just about every other spiritual practice there is – that what it takes to write well is also what it takes to live well, and through the regular practice of writing we can – will, automatically, with no further effort – heal, grow, and come to better understand ourselves and the world.

Click this link to hear a podcast of Mary Allen talking about writing as a spiritual practice, as well as giving examples and ideas on how beginning writers can nurture and cultivate their gifts.

Click here for a talk Mary Allen gave on maintaining peace, confidence, and inner balance during the editing process, Edit Like a Zen Master, delivered at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival.

Click here for the first chapter of Mary Allen’s book-in-progress about the spiritual and personal lessons we learn through the practice of writing.

Click here for How to Do Fast-Writing, by Mary Allen.