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PR Isfeld

Reading: The Writer's Portable Therapist
Reading: The Writer’s Portable Therapist

“Writing is so difficult that writers, having had their Hell on earth, will escape punishment in the hereafter.”

-Jessamyn West

 

Stuck? Depressed? Dumped by the muse? Rachel Ballon’s The Writer’s Portable Therapist: 25 Sessions to a Creativity Cure  might be just what you’re looking for. Ballon is both a therapist and a writing coach, so she has the expertise to tackle the emotional challenges that can come with a writer’s craft.  the core message of the book is that writing is not only about technique and “applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair,” but also about emotional resilience. Many of us struggle with perfectionism, fear of failure, and even trauma that can make it hard to express ourselves freely.

Ballon’s 25 short, engaging “sessions: address a different psychological roadblock common to writers. She blends motivational insights with practical psychological exercises geared towards working through the difficulties and reconnecting with the joy of storytelling. The advice is grounded and practical, ranging from free writing exercises to silence the inner critic to reframing criticism and rejection as normal parts of creative success. She takes a holistic approach, recognizing that personal experiences, psychological well-being and emotional levels play a crucial role in our ability to write

If you’re struggling with any kind of creative anxiety or self-doubt, this book will reassure you that you’re not alone. The tone is brisk and practical, but also encouraging and compassionate, offering an excellent supplement to more traditional works on craft and technique. No matter where you are on your writing journey, if you feel like you’re stalled at the side of the road, this portable therapist might be just what you need. is worth a look.

 

Captives
A psychological mystery that explores the aftermath of a brutal abduction and the secrets that haunt the survivors.

Three years ago, Samantha Gilchrist and her friends Amanda, Kaylee and Maria forged an unbreakable bond when they survived a brutal kidnapping in Kandahar. Sam wrote a best-selling memoir about their ordeal and moved on to a great new career as a journalist and a happy relationship with Dave, a handsome intelligence officer she met in Afghanistan. Still, she can’t help wondering about the reasons behind their capture.

On their way to Maria’s remote Gatineau cottage to commemorate the anniversary of their escape and rescue, Sam and Kaylee hear news reports about a missing Afghan diplomat. Then, they think they see Ali, their former interpreter and the mastermind behind the hostage-taking, who was supposed to have died during their rescue. When Amanda’s lifeless body is found the next morning, the friends’ suspicions lead them down a dangerous path that uncovers dark secrets and hidden motives.

The narrative alternates between the present day and the version of events presented in Sam’s memoir, as she and her friends struggle with their grief over the loss of Amanda and lingering trauma and jealousy over their differing fortunes in the aftermath of the kidnapping. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, Sam starts to question everything she thought she knew about her friends, her lover, and herself, not just in the past, but in the here and now. 

Full of suspense, complex characters, and unexpected twists, Captives will cause fans of mystery and psychological thrillers to make irresponsible decisions about their sleep. 

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