"Saint" Thomas Merton

Since June 6, I have read a lot of spiritual books, but none has touched me more than the work of Thomas Merton. A Franciscan Friar I am friendly with at Saint Peter's in the Loop introduced me to Thomas Merton a couple of years ago. In a documentary entitled Merton: A Film Biography, one of the interviewees said when a person reads a work of Thomas Merton that person will become addicted. I second that.

Like me, Father Louis (Merton's religious name) grew up in a secular household and environment. Like me, he knew from childhood that he wanted to become a writer. Like me, Merton committed acts in his childhood and young adulthood that shamed him. And like me, God always haunted him.

Merton's writing would be welcome to any person no matter his or her spiritual leanings or lack thereof. So far I have read The Seven Storey Mountain, No Man Is an Island, and a collection of his work on writing taken from his books, essays, journals, and letters entitled Echoing Silence.

Merton's writing and spirituality matured from TSSM. Perhaps the biggest lesson I have learned and am working to ingrain within me is being silent. This helps writing and, of course, becoming closer to God.

My fellow writer and good friend Tami's website

My good friend, fellow writer, and former college roommate Tami has a new web site. Check it out at www.tamaraplamer.com. This a photo of us "adding it up" before heading out for the night in college. Tequila and Mountain Dew - a very central Illinois cocktail as my husband commented. Yes . . . I've looked better.

Alleviating Writing Anxiety: Relax Before You Do It

I offer these to my undergraduate writing students. They could also be used with any art genre. Here's the first one.

Breathing and Relaxation: Take ten to fifteen minutes before you write. Close your eyes and sit up in your chair or recline on your bed. Inhale and exhale deep breaths. This aids in relaxation. The medical community also recommends this for those suffering from insomnia. After you have relaxed, tighten your entire body. After you tighten your body, relax each section of your body starting with your head then moving on to your neck, shoulders, arms, torso, legs, and feet. Take your time while doing this. A creative writing instructor I had at the University of Chicago’s Graham School started the second half of her class with this exercise. After you have finished relaxing, begin writing and revising.

Hello from a newbie

I hope all is well for everyone out there. As the headline says, I'm a newbie; be prepared for lots of formatting mistakes!

I look most forward from comments from writers, artists, those of a tolerant, open mind, and anyone who wants to make the world a better place.