The Way of StoryA Time of Uncertainty
John Keats A Time of Uncertainty by Catherine Ann Jones “Awakening: self-giving in the hope of honest self-realization.” In a debate with the English Poet and philosopher, Coleridge, poet John Keats defended a willingness to embrace uncertainty, live with mystery, and make peace with ambiguity. He called this willingness to embrace […]
How to Choose Your Story
“A true writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for others.” – Thomas Mann “My job is to focus on how to make the book or script better and accessible to a wide audience without betraying the author’s vision.” Catherine Ann Jones, Writing Consultant Writers […]
Writers Conference and Workshops
Every six months in Ojai, CA, I offer a Way of Story Sat workshop for small groups. Some return again and again using the 1-day experiential workshop as a jump start for their own writing. (Register early for Discount!) THE WAY OF STORY in OJAI with Catherine Ann Jones Saturday, March 11 (10-4pm) […]
The Need for Catharsis
It is the time for viewing Oscar screeners before voting. With few exceptions, I find less and less films I wish to see, let alone hail for an Oscar. So far, the best (in my opinion) is Lion, a moving film set in Calcutta and Australia, about a lost child adopted by Australian parents and […]
Play Productions & Awards
Awards & Productions of the Plays of Catherine Ann Jones (formerly Katherine Rao) Freud’s Oracle (published 2016; available on amazon.com) The Ojai Retreat, Ojai, CA Creativity and Madness, Santa Fe, NM http://wayofstory.com/freuds-oracle-standing-ovation-santa-fe-nm/ Women of Resilience, New Orleans, LA Pacifica Graduate Institute, Santa Barbara, CA http://www.pacifica.edu/current-public/item/freuds-oracle Krotona Institute, Ojai, CA A Fairytale for Adults […]
“Look out! Watch! Listen! A dream is dreaming through you.”
A Conversation between P. L. Travers (Mary Poppins) & Laurens Van Der Post (The Heart of the Hunter) Travers: I wonder when everyone there has a gun and a television set, what will happen to the ancient lore? Only today I was reading of the increasing number of suicides among those who leave the wild […]
From Iran to California: Group Sharing with Way of Story and Heal Your Self with Writing
Some while back, I received an email from Iran with photo of a new publication of my first book, The Way of Story: the craft & soul of writing. (My publishers knew nothing of this pirated edition.) It was a beautiful cover and the email came from one who had purchased the Iranian version of […]
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays 2016! “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” — Guillaume Apollinaire What a year! What is true? What is false? The soul is challenged in a thousand ways. And yet, life continues to amaze. My latest publication, Freud’s Oracle, has […]
Light & Shadow
Many of us are stunned by the recent campaign and presidential election results. And, inevitably, there is a strong pull to enter the darker side and succumb to fear, hate, and even some kind of violence. When structures outlive their use, they will turn to shadow and destruct, allowing eventually for the new to come. […]
Writers: Seek Inspiration from all the Arts
Years ago I was invited to stay at the Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, NM in order to write. The contrast from living in New York City to the land of enchantment was liberating! Once there, I fell in love with New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains and promptly joined with two other artists staying there […]