Violin Lessons for the Writer

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Julie Tallard Johnson

I am taking violin lessons because (well, I confess I don’t know all my reasons). Someone recently asked me why I have a few strands of red hair. A story comes to mind: the gist of this story is that we must seek enlightenment like a woman with her hair on fire seeks the pond. But as I got my hair cut a month ago I simply felt like getting a strand of red added. Call it a nudge. Same with violin lessons really: I felt this internal nudge. I trusted these nudges enough to explore them. So here I am taking lessons from … Continue reading →

An Unexpected Visitor

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in. Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. – Rumi Then, write about … Continue reading →

The Writer’s Tree of Life

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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A central meaning associated with the Tree of Life is how life itself began. It further symbolizes the origins of all creation and origination and how everything is interconnected and dependent. The Tree of Life shows us how life is created, becomes manifest and then nourishes other forms of life. So then, how does a writer come to manifest him or herself as a writer? Where is your Tree of Life? How do we create our writing and then bring it to life, nourishing ourselves and other living beings? We design our own Tree of Life as a way to … Continue reading →

Writing Lies that Tell the Truth

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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My first, and still a favorite book of mine on the writing craft is John Dufresne‘s book, The Lie That Tells The Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction. It happens to be a resourceful “self-help” book for all writers as well. John, I am excited to say, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Writer’s Institute at the UW-Madison, where I will be teaching and offering critique for writers. “When a story is based on autobiographical material there is a tendency to be slavish to the facts. You write a scene because ‘that’s the way it happened.’ Well, we don’t care … Continue reading →