Book Review: Writing Through the Muck
Writing Through the Muck: Finding Self and Story for Personal Growth, Healing, and Transcendence. G. Elizabeth Kretchmer. Dancing Seed Publisher, March 5, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 364 pages.
Reviewed by Casie Gambrel.
G. Elizabeth Kretchmer’s Writing Through the Muck is a holistic writing guide intended for anyone looking to achieve his or her full potential in life.
The book was inspired by writing workshops for cancer patients, domestic violence survivors, and others simply seeking inner truth, personal peace, and healing. It opens with the concept that, while pain and suffering are universal, finding a path through the pain is necessary to achieve ultimate wellbeing and enlightenment. The author’s approach centers around “wellness writing,” which she describes as self-expression on the journey toward holistic health and a happier life.
The book is broken down into seven sections, with each one providing specific writing prompts that offer concrete examples to guide the reader through the exercises.
The first part of the text covers the frequently asked questions about wellness writing, which include the author's definition and a thorough breakdown of the many different approaches. The remaining sections (Finding Self; Exploring Self and Story Through Various Portals; Exploring Self and Story Through Others; Digging Through the Deep Muck; Putting it All Together; and Sharing Your Stories) work well when done sequentially, as the book is intended to be used. The author also expresses deep empathy for the layered emotions that users of the book will undoubtedly uncover working through the writing exercises.
The book’s sound advice and helpful tips are based on more than a dozen years of research and teaching writing workshops. The points are reinforced with quotes by such well-known figures as Anne Lamott, Rumi, Mary Oliver, Susan Fowler, and Joan Didion. Also, the author includes personal stories from workshop participants, friends, and family members who have grappled with their own experiences surrounding trauma, loss, self-sabotage, and the feeling of brokenness. Each story and quotes throughout the book highlight the value that wellness writing can provide in working through pain to achieve a deeper understanding of personal growth and self-acceptance.
Key points are driven by the author's willingness to share her narrative, weaving it beautifully between the pages with stories, examples, and prompts. She writes of her own experiences of wading in the muck from multiple moves, broken relationships, divorce, alcoholism, and cancer, shining the light on her journey of climbing out and moving on. The book's friendly, compassionate, and conversational tone provides encouragement and support to assist those who use it.
Readers will find the exercises and techniques useful in taking the first steps to explore what it means to break down self-sabotage barriers and realize how repeated negative behavior can stall personal growth. Special note: The book is not intended to replace a traditional therapist, and the exercises may shed light on the need for professional therapy.
Writing Through the Muck is an insightful book filled with life experiences and helpful writing prompts that will expand the reader’s thinking. It is most useful for new and experienced writers who are ready to get off autopilot to understand themselves and life better. It offers creative fuel for the reader’s soul.
The author has a real gift in helping others heal through writing.