Writing it Right

"I conceived of this book as a way of keeping my mother alive...." Thus begins author Coleen Paratore's account of the year she and her mom, Peg Murtagh, wrote themselves better.

Frightened that her 75-year-old mother would not survive a darkest-ever bout with depression, and personally still grieving the end of her 28-year marriage, Coleen suggested they meet regularly to read short pieces they'd written about good things in life - a self-help writing club of sorts.

They promised to write and share every week for an entire year. Meeting for lunch at various restaurants in their beloved hometown of Troy, NY, each read aloud a brief essay or poem. They wrote about faith, family, food, friends, teachers, books, baseball, birthdays, holidays, music, meditation, neighbors, Oprah, the ocean, the Adirondacks, parks, pets, gardens, gratitude, road trips, recipes, surprises, Sunday mornings...

As the months pass and the experience benefits them in profoundly positive ways, they come to believe that their journey might be a useful model and gift of encouragement for others.

Peg Spain Murtagh is a life-long resident of Troy, NY, mother of six adult children and grandmother of eight. She is a gifted writer and poet and a self-described "competent public speaker."

Coleen Murtagh Paratore is an award-winning author, writing teacher, and inspirational speaker, best-known for her 1⁄2-million selling debut novel, The Wedding Planner's Daughter, which sparked the beloved "Willa" series. www.coleenparatore.com