Writing As A Way To An Awakened Life with Albert Flynn DeSilver

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DeSilver describes how writing from the body rather than the head is a visceral experience that connects us with our intuition. He says, “Everybody is a creative person. It’s a matter of where you have been putting your attention. . . This is an invitation to reconnect with the power of your imagination.” He tells us that poetry and stories can help us tap into our own creative process, which is extremely helpful to becoming a better writer. He also encourages us to embrace the editing and re-writing process as part of the entire endeavor. In his book DeSilver advises us to “meet whatever grief, trauma, fear, anxiety or illusion that shows up with as much joy, presence, and enthusiastic aliveness as you can muster. Say ‘yes’ to whatever comes and that is free writing, that is free being, free living, and free story telling on the path to awakening.” This conversation is filled with encouragement that will help you on your road to being a better writer. (hosted by Justine Willis Toms) 

Bio 

Albert Flynn DeSilver is an American poet, memoirist, novelist, speaker, and leader of writing workshops. 

Albert Flynn DeSilver is the author of several books of poetry including:

• Letters to Early Street (La Alameda/University of New Mexico Press 2007)
• Walking Tooth & Cloud  (French Connection Press – Paris 2008) 

He has also published a memoir:

• Beamish Boy (I am not my story): A Memoir of Recovery and Awakening (The Owl Press 2012) 

He is the author of:

• Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer and Living an Awakened Life (Sounds True 2017) 

To learn more about the work of Albert Flynn DeSilver go to www.albertflynndesilver.com. 

Topics Explored in This Dialogue

• Why mediation is an important component to being a good writer
• How to write from the body rather than the head
• Being a writer is a process and is not the result of being published
• How writing can be a community effort
• Why reading stories and poetry is important to writing well
• How he got 5^th and 6^th graders to tap into their imagination and write awesome poetry
• What does it mean to take a vow to poetry
• Why it is helpful to have a notebook nearby to jot down ideas as your daily life unfolds
• How photography can become a writing prompt
• Why devotion plus attention plus consistent action equals talent 

Host: Justine Willis Toms        Interview Date: 4/11/2018        Program Number: 3642

Music Playlist

From Album: Alex De Grassi, a Windham Hill Retrospective 
Artist: Alex de Grassi 
2010 Windham Hill E2-VWH-21011

Opening Essay: Track 03 Western
Music Break 1: Track 02 Causeway
Music Break 2: Track 06 Blue Trout
Music Break 3: Track 10 Luther’s Lullaby