I am just doing some research into how writing down how we feel can actually heal us. I've just launched Storyville Writing Academy - where I'm getting lots of top Hollywood gurus and amazing London agents to teach master-classes on how to tell our stories.
The more I listen to the gurus speak and the more writers I coach, the more I realise it's all about the 'story'. We want to tell our stories to the world....and I think that can be incredibly healing. Or I think so, anyway.
There is a new websiteblog called Postsecret- where people are posting their 'secrets' on a postcard and the website is displaying them. Originally, I think it was part of a community art project but I noticed that there was a link to a Hopeline network - supporting people thinking of suicide. That's what got me thinking really. Can writing something down - and then sharing it - heal us?
Yes, says American psychologist James W. Pennebaker, author of Writing to Heal ( Harbinger, £16.99). In his studies, writing about a traumatic event for 20 minutes has been scientifically proven to not only improve your mood, but also your immune function.
I wonder how this will affect your peace function?
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