by Val Leeper –
Sunburst Writers, a group of women from all over the United States, has been writing poems, essays, flash fiction and creative non-fiction as members of Peggy Tabor Millin’s ClarityWorks writing programs.
The group published their first book, Writing in Circles, an anthology in April. 13 contributors to the anthology are located in NC, seven reside in Asheville and the surrounding area.
Writing in Circles is the culmination of 12 years of gathering in retreat settings and is the result of the synchrony of place, silence, and fellowship that occurs when women come together to write and move beyond fear to let the pen guide them inward toward their truth. It is also the companion piece to Millin’s Women, Writing and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine.
Millin, also the author of Mary’s Way: Cultivating a Peaceful Heart in Trying Times, started ClarityWorks in 1996. Her mission reads: through programs in the written word, to facilitate women to find their voice so they can stand in their power and inspire positive change in their worlds. Over the years there have been hundreds of retreat and workshop participants. Nearly two thousand women follow Millin’s blog and her free online writing prompts.
“Writing in a safe circle using Centered Writing Practice can literally save your life,” Millin says. “ I didn’t know this until I had led groups for years, but this process heals, opens doors, and feeds our souls. I can’t explain how, but it does. It works!”
The women who contributed to this collection live across the US, from Florida to Alaska and Puerto Rico. They are teachers, psychiatrists, mothers, attorneys, beach-combers, hikers, IT gurus, travelers, survivors and pastors, but all are writers of immense talent, passion and insight.
When asked about the retreats, contributor Jennifer Browning said, “There is a magic that occurs when I write in the ClarityWorks’ circle. There is something about the concept of fearless writing that brings forth writing that is also fearless, funny, and touching. My writing is more powerful and more true because of my time at the retreats and classes. I get home, reread what I’ve written, and think ‘Wow, look what I did!’ I never feel so empowered as a writer as I do when I am writing in circle.”
Another Circles contributor, Deborah Cantrell (who has been featured on “Tales from the South”) said, “The goal of Circles is to honor Peggy and the contributions she’s made to writing and to our lives.”
Proceeds for the sale of Writing in Circles will go directly to ClarityWorks in gratitude and will be used to support future programs.
Learn more about Sunburst Writers and Writing in Circles, or ClarityWorks at www.clarityworksonline.com
