Write Yourself: Creative Writing and Personal Development

by Gillie Bolton, Nicholas F. Mazza (Foreword)

Write Yourself is a complete introduction to facilitating creative writing for therapy or personal development, both with individuals and groups. Clear and practical, and with a strong theoretical base, it is also an essential handbook for individuals embarking on their own personal writing journeys. Topics covered include the nature, values and principles of therapeutic creative writing, how to begin - illuminated with a wealth of examples from the author's extensive and varied experience - and how to write with specific client groups, including children, the very sick, those with mental health or substance misuse problems, as well as those receiving psychotherapy or counselling, and for professional development. Also included are detailed instructions for running a writing group or a longer or residential writing programme, as well as 175 exercises for readers to use in their own personal writing practice, or with their groups or clients. This book will be an invaluable resource for creative arts therapists, professionals working in the caring professionals, and for everyone interested in the therapeutic potential of creative writing

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2011

About the author

Dr Gillie Bolton is an international authority on writing and author of a long publication list including nine books (one in 4th Edition), academic papers (many in top-ranking journals), as well as professional articles, poetry, and for a lay readership.

Early years in an Epping Forest village near London, in a seventeenth-century farmhouse and 2 years in Singapore, were augmented by school in Southwold, Suffolk. Social Anthropology (MA Cantab) at Cambridge University was a firm foundation on which to build work with people. Her PhD, from the University of East Anglia Medical School, is based on some of her many academic publications. Retired, she now lives in Central London and Derbyshire’s Hope Valley with her emeritus professor husband.

Reviews

[Marva · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long believed in the power of journaling. With my clients, I introduce the therapeutic benefits of owning and giving voice to stories as a tool of healing. Lots of good tips in this book!

[Nasra Al Adawi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can try to elaborate and decorate their wording so they can create a catchy intro, however after reading Write Yourself: Creative Writing and Personal Development it left me with certainty that the road which I’m heading is not only for me but many who never thought is existing. Gillie had provided perspective of beneficiaries on how poetry therapy had helped them through phases of their life. I can feel her, of what is like to be at the breaking point and the reaching out though the healing process from individuals such as cancer survivors, teens, single mother and others.

The skills of the author and her journey to mastery, it’s no doubt keeps us on our toes. That being practitioner, has to be sought with diligence. There is also the slight fear on how I can pursue to begin with my first session of healing pen. Though she provided us as the reader with ample of tools how to begin different sessions from perspective of different target audience. Yet, our beginning remains quite humble in experience, and we have to be honest with ourselves that we need to double our efforts so those who will attend healing pen session will benefit and come to see the value to sessions such as poetry therapy.

A great foundation for those who would like to take the journey of poetry therapy and use them as tools for self development.

[Ntombizakhona Mabaso · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to explore therapeutic writing.

It provides guidance on getting started and includes numerous stories that illustrate the profound healing and therapeutic effects of writing.

A truly inspiring read for those seeking personal growth and emotional well-being through the power of words.

[Aly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libro che parla degli utilizzi della scrittura creativa nella terapia psicologica. Elenca qualche esercizio, riporta esempi e parla dei gruppi di scrittura. Personalmente ci ho trovato poco di utile.

[Eileen]

No star rating because I skimmed more than read.

(borrowed from the English-language collection of the public library in Lund, Sweden)

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me the best of Gillie's books.