When Words Heal: Writing Through Cancer

An insightful and useful book for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, When Words Heal explores the power of words to heal. Dr. Sharon Bay provides step-by-step instructions for those wanting to lead a writing group for women living with cancer, or for those who simply wish to write through their experience of cancer. With her compassionate and informative manner, Dr. Bray structures each chapter as a writing session. Each chapter includes writing exercises, support resources, interviews with cancer survivors, and excerpts from a number of cancer survivors’ writings. By writing through cancer, readers discover the resilience of human spirit and create a supportive community. Writing and telling a story in a supportive environment releases something deeply vital that can heal each person, even when it can not cure. Readers can not help but be touched by the words of other cancer patients, and, in the gentle and encouraging voice of the author, be inspired to help others write their stories.

Writer and teacher Sharon Bray holds a doctorate in Applied Psychology from the University of Toronto, completed the Writers’ Program in Literary Fiction from the University of Washington, and studied Transformative Language Arts at Goddard College in Vermont and creative writing at the Humber School for Writers in Toronto, Canada. Her first book—a children’s book—was published when she was a young mother living in Nova Scotia. She is also the author of A Healing Journey: Writing Together Through Breast Cancer (Amherst Writers & Artists Press, 2004), which chronicles her own experience with breast cancer and with leading writing groups for cancer survivors. Bray has written and published poetry, memoir, and a number of professional articles, and is featured on the DVD Writing Alone & With Others (Florentine Films) discussing her work with cancer survivors. She is a member of the Society for Arts in Healthcare, the American Psychological Association, the Board of Directors of Amherst Writers & Artists, National Association of Poetry Therapy, and is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley. Bray lives in Menlo Park, California.