Writing Through Revelations, Visions and Dreams: The memoir of a writer’s soul

by Stella Pope Duarte

Writing Through Revelations, Visions and Dreams will take readers into a journey through the internal landscape of self. Using her own soul’s journey as a starting point, Stella Pope Duarte describes in awe-inspiring words, the language of the soul and the nebulous world of revelations, visions and dreams. In startling, measured prose, she unfolds a world of shadows, light pursuing darkness to the bitter end. Boldly, heart-in-hand, she explores the workings of the invisible world—the “private estate.” Writing Through Revelations, Visions and Dreams is a writing memoir that is a roadmap to understanding an artist’s soul, and how to use the invisible world to create “visible work.” This brilliant memoir will bring to life the intimate “I am” hidden within that, once recognized, raises a cry of joy.

Genres: Nonfiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Stella Pope Duarte began her literary career in 1995 after she had a dream in which her deceased father related to her that her destiny was to become a writer.

Her first collection of short stories, Fragile Night, (Bilingual Review Press, 1997) won a creative writing fellowship from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, and was named a candidate for the prestigious, Pen West Fiction Award.

In 2001 Ms. Duarte was awarded a second creative writing fellowship for her current novel, Let Their Spirits Dance. (HarperCollins, 2002). Harper Collins has described Ms. Duarte as a major, new literary voice in America.

Ms. Duarte's work has won awards and honors nationwide, including a nomination for the Pushcart Prize in Literature. Let Their Spirits Dance is on the Book Sense List, and was awarded the AZ Highways Fiction Award for 2003, and nominated as a ONEBOOKAz in 2004. Ms. Duarte won the 2003 Excellence in Latino Arts & Culture Award, presented by Valle del Sol.

In 2004, she received the Barbara Deming Memorial Fund Award for an excerpt from her current work, If I Die in Jurez, (2008 Spring release), and in 2005 she was honored with the Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award by the American Association of Community Colleges. Governor Janet Napolitano appointed Ms. Duarte as a member of the Arizona Commission on the Arts in 2006, and her term will run for three years. Ms. Duarte is also on the Artists Roster for the Arizona Commission on the Arts, serving as a resident artist in creative writing for students in elementary through high school. She is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker for audiences of all ages, on topics related to her work, as well as on issues related to: women's rights, culture, diversity, leadership, education, literacy, Chicano/Latino history, writing, and storytelling. Ms. Duarte was born and raised in la Sonorita Barrio in South Phoenix."

Reviews

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

A personal memoir of an Arizona author who writes short stories and novels about women, children and the helpless who are victims. Duarte herself has been a victim and did not realize her dream of becoming an author until after a vision of her father that involved a spiral staircase leading upwards out of the downward spiral of her life.

Much of the book is about her personal visions and dreams and how they relate to her published works. I was glad to read more about her inspiration for the stories I have read, though I have not read either of her novels. She writes with a strength and shows that the spirit of love can live even in the most hopeless situations, which makes her writing seem powerful and poignant.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really two books--the first comprises stories about Stella Pope Duarte's life, the second is writing instruction and advice. What makes the book so effective is the combination of the themes. Stella tells about her dreams and visions, what she learned from them, and how she used them as writing fodder. She then tells you how to become a better writer by becoming aware of what is happening in your life. It has excellent advice and is a good read for any author.

[Elisabeth Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for anyone who is looking to be inspired with creative ideas as a writer. Stella weaves wonderful stories and shares inspiring character development ideas throughout this delightul book.

[Patricia Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information on writing
Great tips on going deeper into your soul with your writing
Finding it helpful