What The Tree Taught Me by guest blogger Kerstin Kuentzel

Posted on February 1, 2017 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” – Neale Donald Walsch I chose the above line as personal mantra and reminder for this year. Little did I know that the ink of my pen would have barely time to dry before a series of unexpected happenings would test my stamina and perseverance. Over and over again, I only had to look outside into my backyard where my old friend, a river birch has taught me free survival lessons for eighteen years. When my husband planted the young tree, our neighbors were skeptical about whether it would make it on the chosen … Continue reading →

When Writing Becomes a Train Wreck and How To Get Back on Track by guest writer, Patrice Peltier

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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(This blog is written by journalist and gardener, Patrice Peltier): Sometimes my brain is like a train barreling towards its destination. When I get to where I think I’m going, I realize somewhere along the line I switched to another track. Just recently, this runaway train of a brain derailed my writing process. About three years ago, when I planted a new garden I began keeping notes. At first, my entries were brief. “Watered today.” “Added leaf mulch.” “Planted three ‘Cajun Fire’ heuchera purchased on sale.” It was record-keeping more than anything. A way to refresh my memory if I decided … Continue reading →

Living and Writing in the First Person: ASSUME This!

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

“It is the nature of the mind to become addicted to certain ways of seeing things.” -Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Transforming Problems into Happiness When we write in the first person there are boundaries of what we can claim to know about the other people in our story. In fiction and nonfiction alike, the same boundaries apply. In first person we can’t assume what others are thinking, or their motives for their actions. At the same time, what we the writer or first person character assume about the others in our stories and scenes are critical to our message and the reader’s experience. … Continue reading →

Everything Is Waiting For You

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

MY QUINTESSENTIAL LESSON FOR MY WRITING STUDENTS IS THIS: STAY IN THE CONVERSATION. FROM THIS ADAGE I OFFER ESSENTIAL WRITING PROMPTS AND EXPLORATIONS TO HELP WRITERS STAY IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THEIR SUBJECT AND THEME. Presently a subject I am writng about is spiritual teachers and the theme is around what makes a good teacher. I carried this question as I went on my morning walk. On several walks this summer I noticed how a Blue Bunting sat on the top branch of a dead tree. I recalled how a friend of mine mentioned how it seemed that birds liked to occupy dead trees. From here i got … Continue reading →

Give Your Self A Day: It’s Free

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

On this coming FRIDAY AUGUST 5th and then on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd I am offering my (free) WRITERS’ RETREAT at our home and retreat center: Thundering Clouds Center for Creative Living, LLC. Begins at 10:00 am and goes till 4:00. Bring own lunch. Write, walk the labyrinth spiral in the restored prairie, stalk the woods, visit with the horses. Take a spot on the deck. Enjoy the awakening inside and out. We have 40 acres to explore. Or, sit comfortably in the Writer’s gazebo. At 3:00 we have a sharing circle. The prairie spiral is in full August bloom. This is an opportunity too … Continue reading →

How Not To Be Discouraged

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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. . . it is important that awake people be awake, or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep; the signals we give–yes or no, or maybe– should be clear; the darkness around us is deep. –William Stafford, A Ritual To Read To Each Other For many of us these can be discouraging times. Then again, I doubt any of us get through our lives free of discouragement. Like me, you may be discouraged by the outpour of support for Trump. Or you may be in a job or relationship that undermines you. Or you have experienced a great … Continue reading →

The Wanderer

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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My daughter and I just returned from Ireland. Yes, Ireland is beautiful, friendly and the roads are small and curvy. As travelers we were strangers in a strange land. As such, we approached each encounter and person with curiosity and respect. Traveling slowed us down. Not just driving on the “wrong” side of the road, from the “wrong” side of a car (with a stick shift on my left); being a stranger in a new place slowed me down. Everyone and everything was unfamiliar. A good traveler relies on attentiveness (Lydia navigated our entire trip; it took two to drive through country and city). When … Continue reading →

Getting Lost in Your Writing

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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When I tell people this summer’s mother daughter trip is to Ireland they inevitably ask, “What made you choose Ireland?” For those who don’t ask the inevitable question they inevitably say, “I’ve been there and it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth.” My response to the question is the skinny truth, being that there isn’t a lot of depth and mystery here. I wanted to visit a place that would take me overseas and one that was user-friendly. I also let my daughter choose; and the images of Ireland called to her too. So, I ignored my fear … Continue reading →