By Judith Hannan

Practical instructions are provided in three parts: first, a series of writing prompts; second, suggestions to change observations into story narration; and third, encouragement for individuals to write about their experience of illness and treatment.

Included is information on clinical trials about the Medical Narrative and the therapeutic value to patients’ recovering from illness and how writing helps the healing process. Hannan wrote to deal with and get through her young daughter’s illness. She does that by doing what writers are advised to do—show, don’t tell.

She encourages putting the words on the page, “Whether you are writing for yourself, to gain clarity of current circumstances, or to be published and reach a wider audience.” She extends an invitation to everyone to contact her with their experiences with The Write Prescription.

If you have a book you’d like reviewed, contact Barbara.kummerreviews@ gmail.com. The Phoenix Spirit also seeks writers for the paper — we consider essays on spirituality and recovery, short stories (1500 words or less), and pieces on personal journeys of growth and renewal. Submissions may be sent to juliaedelman@gmail.com

Last Updated on July 23, 2016