Comments on: Writing Your First Line: The Shamanic Induction of Storytelling

By: Soul Intent Arts Writing Your First Line: The Shamanic Induction of Storytelling - Intentional Insights

Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:24:42 +0000

[…] was asked by the curators of Books by Women to write a guest blog. Writing Your First Line: The Shamanic Induction of Storytelling is a brief exposé not only on why I read, but why I choose to be a writer and how these dovetail […]

By: Kelley

Kelley — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:27:34 +0000

In reply to Janis Greve. Thank you, Janis! It's great to meet you =)

By: Janis Greve

Janis Greve — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 22:28:56 +0000

Kelley,

You’re probably not looking at comments anymore, but thanks for the journey–it was beautiful, enlightening, and best of all, inspired me quite a bit *and* helped me value what I’m already doing a bit better.

I’d “stumble upon” this and “digg” it, but have burned enough social media brain cells for one day. (I found out it wasn’t a simple “click.”) Leave it to say that I feel as though I’ve just sipped a soothing cup of tea, had a massage, gotten acupuncture (love those needles–seriously), and soaked in a steamy bath all in one. It made me feel *good.*

By: Kelley Harrell

Kelley Harrell — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:54:44 +0000

In reply to roz morris. I like the way you phrase that, Roz. An invitation to look within. I hope you are well!

By: Kelley Harrell

Kelley Harrell — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:53:50 +0000

In reply to Megan Noelle. Thanks, Megan! Good luck with your new book!!

By: Kelley Harrell

Kelley Harrell — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:53:08 +0000

In reply to Manda Scott. Thanks for your thoughts, Manda. Indeed, the skill of journeying is a powerful tool in writing. Be well!

By: Kelley

Kelley — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:50:59 +0000

In reply to Manda Scott. Thanks for your thoughts, Manda. Indeed, the skill of journeying is a powerful tool in writing. Be well!

By: roz morris

roz morris — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:41:12 +0000

This is such an interesting way of looking at first lines. First lines are possibly the most important in the book, and thinking of them as a crossover between worlds is a great way to embody what they must do. Great first lines have a hint of the struggle that is going on; they must say more than ‘this is the place’ or ‘this is the character’. They must say ‘this is the struggle that is going on in the character’s heart’. Lovely piece.

By: Megan Noelle

Megan Noelle — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 04:58:10 +0000

I totally adore this observation, and can definitely identify with it. It really hits home with my new release of YA Spiritual Fiction, Divine Traditions: Cameo secrets. Topics similar to what you discuss in this article are explored in my book, and the characters do make blatant reference to entering “non-ordinary reality.”

I really appreciate this new insight, and am thrilled to have this new way at looking at my own work, as well as others’. I always knew that a good book could transport the reader to another world, but had never realized just how spiritual that statement is. It will absolutely get me considering my opening lines with much more purpose from now on. Thank you for that.

By: Manda Scott

Manda Scott — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:20:17 +0000

This is remarkable and wonderful. I’ve been journeying, before, during and after each book (that is, shamanic journeying) and dreaming with and for them, since I started writing. The Boudica: Dreaming series is based in pre-Roman Britain, but is my experience of the dreaming, of shamanic practice, rendered into the past, at the time of the Roman invasion. I couldn’t write without it – thank you for this moving and intelligent observation.

Manda