Writing Through Grief

Letters To My Dead Mother

By

I’d imagined these words, penned on the anniversary of Mom’s death, as an emotional storage unit for my grief — only to realize there’s no such thing.

Why I Told Anne Lamott My Husband Died

By

I promised myself I wouldn’t, but then I opened up to a writer I’ve long admired about the most surreal, unbelievable thing that has ever happened to me.  

My Grief is F*cking Funny

By

Why I never pass up a chance to laugh my ass off. Especially when I'm grieving.

Mother Loss and My Lyft Driver

By

I had a five star ride -- but not for the reasons I'd expected.

My Dad Was Dying While I Was Divorcing

By

I vowed never to speak with my ex-husband again. Then my father was diagnosed with leukemia.

Writing With Heart From Behind Bars

By

I teach memoir writing at a prison. One week, the topic was loss. My students really went there — and so did I.

After a Teenager’s Death, Metaphors Fail

By

My friend's 16-year-old daughter was hit by a car and I struggled to write about it. Because no words can truly encapsulate the zero of grief.

Making My Dad A Searchable Term

By

My dad died before the Internet. When I put his name out into the digital world, I couldn't have anticipated what would come back to me.

Had I Sealed My Father’s Fate?

By

I'm a novelist and killed off the father character early in my first book. When my dad died unexpectedly soon after, I was wracked with guilt.

The Writing Life

By

My friend allowed me no excuses for unfinished work. When she died, I thought I’d never put pen to paper again.

Workshopping My Grief

By

My classmates were poring over my essay about my grandmother’s murder. As a writer, I’ve never felt more vulnerable.

The Best Show for Your Grieving Child (and You)

By

"Steven Universe" might just be the most nuanced, realistic portrayal of grief on television.

The Eulogist

By

Narrative practice has helped me navigate grief. Here's how it could help you, too.

Meet Patricia, Aunt Esther’s Amazon Alter Ego

By

It was only after my aunt's death that I really got to know her -- through hundreds of Amazon.com product reviews.

Tears and Tequila in Tinseltown

By

A novel imagines a safe haven for young widows and widowers in the City of Angels.

The Art of the Public Deathbed

By

With her powerful presence on social media, writer, musician and cult celebrity Amanda Palmer offers a poignant lesson on grieving in front of an audience.

6 Tips for Writing An Investigative Memoir

By

Curious about what goes into writing an investigative memoir? Journalist Jessica Barraco invites you into the process of researching her own mother's life.

Loss as Muse: A Q&A With Megan Devine

By

With her 'Writing Your Grief' course, Megan Devine helps students turn sad stories into powerful prose.

How To: Write the Tough Stuff

By

Here are five tips for those worried that their writing on grief will alienate readers — or loved ones.

Inside Our New Amazon Store

By

The best writing on loss can help the grief-stricken feel less isolated. Many of our favorite titles are featured in our new Amazon store.

1 2