Writing Practice Prescription

It may not be a surprise to you at all to know that writing your own life story can be healing and helpful to you. But did you know that writing your story can help others?

Dr. Robert Sommer, in his 2003 article, The Use of Autobiography in Psychotherapy, notes that a recent explosion of published memoirs reflect the “public hunger for authenticity, a preference for the real over the fictional life.” Now when you walk into a bookstore, you often find that the memoir has replaced the novel for front-two billing.
Memoir writing serves to provide therapeutic relief for you, the author, because you will gain insight and experience the benefits and healing effects of disclosure. When you produce a well-written and interesting memoir, you also give the gifts on understanding and healing to the reader by providing therapeutic guidance that readers can use as self help for themselves or for friends or family members.

Other benefits noted in Dr. Sommer’s article, include:

• An inside view of the issues and challenges of the author
• Personal and strong story lines that pull the reader through the book
• Identification with the author

I believe that the compelling narrative provides reader safety as well. It gives the reader enough distance to see similar issues in their own life while at the same time sympathizing with the struggles of the author and rejoicing in the success of the author. Vicarious victory may be the next best thing to “being there.”

So pull out your pen and paper and start writing your own “Best Teller” right now.