With A Woman's Voice: A Writer's Struggle for Emotional Freedom

by Lucy Daniels

Having written a bestselling book at 22, survived a harrowing battle with anorexia nervosa, and pursued a successful career as a clinical psychologist, Lucy Daniels has led a remarkable life. In "With a Woman's Voice: A Writer's Struggle for Emotional Freedom," her first book in 40 years, Daniels shares the experience of overcoming emotional hardships and gaining valuable insights from them, through psychoanalysis, that has enabled her to help others."With a Woman's Voice" is Daniels' memoir of the struggles she faces as a writer and a doctor of psychology, struggles that began at a very young age and continued long after the success of her two novels. As the child of a wealthy newspaper family, Daniels was emotionally deprived by her demanding parents and plagued by her own feelings of inadequacy and helplessness. Sent to a mental hospital for treatment of her anorexia, she spent years enduring brutal regimens of electroshock therapy, insulin injections, and force-feedings. It was during this time that she wrote "Caleb, My Son." "Caleb, My Son" became a national bestseller, earning accolades for its portrayal of racial and generational conflict in the South of the 50s. Her second book, "High on a Hill," was a fictional account of the time she spent in the hospital. Her novels won her a Guggenheim fellowship and extensive praise.After this early success, Daniels succumbed to writer's block that lasted several decades. She tells in her memoir of her decision to examine and resolve her problems, leading her to seek psychoanalytic treatment while pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology. After years of examining her difficulties and learning how they could be treated, she created a foundation that helps artists overcome emotional disorders and gain creative insight from both self-examination and psychotherapy. "With a Woman's Voice" recalls these achievements, and the difficult years that led up to them, with insight, humor, and wisdom. Daniels provides a moving account of

Genres: Memoir

352 pages, Hardcover

First published November 29, 2001

About the author

Lucy Daniels is a writer and clinical psychologist who uses the lessons learned in her personal victory over anorexia nervosa and writer's block to assist others. Her novels include the best-seller and Guggenheim Fellowship winner, Caleb My Son (1956), High on a Hill (1961), and Eyes of the Father (2005). A memoir, With a Woman's Voice: A Writer's struggle for Emotional Freedom (2002) and Dreaming Your Way to Creative Freedom (2005) chronicle her empowerment. Walking with Moonshine and her latest book, Maritime Magistery, showcase a collection of stories written across her life. In Maritime Magistery, which takes place on North Carolina's coast, she reveals how the environment can impact both one’s spirit and the workings of the subconscious.

Other short stories by Dr. Daniels appear in various publications including Pembroke Magazine, Westview and North Carolina Literary Review.

Dr. Daniels is the founder of the Lucy Daniels Foundation and the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood located in Cary, North Carolina. She has four children and eight grandchildren.

*Not to be confused with the pseudonym under which the Animal Ark and Dolphin Diaries books are written.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

What made it more interesting to me is that she is from Raleigh and she mentioned local places and what the lifestyle was at a certain time. She also came and spoke to our book club,