Maggie Frank - Navigating Life's Burdens Through Words

In this episode of We Women Writers, Jane speaks with writer and storyteller Maggie Frank about her journey in writing and the healing power it holds. They explore the importance of writing as a tool for personal growth, the process of navigating burdens through writing, and the balance between joy and pain in creative expression. Maggie emphasizes the significance of permission and agency in the writing process, encouraging listeners to embrace their unique journeys and find their voices. The conversation highlights the duality of writing and art as companions in self-discovery and emotional processing.

Takeaways

• Writing serves as a bridge from chaos to clarity.
• Art and writing can coexist as tools for expression and processing.
• Permission to write comes from within and is essential for creative freedom.

Quote:

"It's okay to look. It's okay to look and ask. Curiosity is okay. And in fact, it's supportive. So go for it."

Resources:

Julia Cameron – The Artist’s Way: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252

Anne Lamott - Bird by Bird: https://www.amazon.com/Bird-Some-Instructions-Writing-Life/dp/0385480016

Natalie Goldberg – Writing Down The Bones: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Down-Bones-Freeing-Writer/dp/1590302613

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Maggie Frank and Her Journey
• 1:36 The Evolution of Writing and Personal Growth
• 5:59 Processing Emotions Through Writing
• 11:42 Navigating Overburdened and Lightly Burdened States
• 16:45 The Role of Writing in Finding Balance
• 22:25 Completion and the Return to Self
• 27:32 Steering into the Skid: Embracing the Process
• 33:43 Navigating Life's Turns: The Importance of Readiness
• 36:04 The Concept of Permission in Writing
• 39:25 Steering Away from Force: Embracing Choice in Writing
• 42:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery Through Writing
• 47:09 Reclaiming Agency: The Power of Personal Narrative
• 51:29 Writing as a Declaration of Independence
• 56:34 Art vs. Writing: Different Tools for Expression
• 1:00:24 Finding Your Voice: Overcoming Barriers to Writing
• 1:07:05 Embracing Imperfection: The Learning Process in Writing
• 1:09:27 WWW Podcast Outro