Loving Healing Press (LHP) publishes work that promotes self-healing, liberation and empowerment. By writing empowering and helpful books, many of its authors make a difference in the lives of readers.
Diana Raab (MFA, PhD) is a prominent LHP author who has inspired and motivated thousands and thousands of readers and writers via her writings, poetry and workshops. She is an award-winning writer and practical educator who helps her audience by teaching memoir writing and writing as therapy. She teaches two courses on DailyOM, Write. Heal. Transform: A Magical Memoir Writing Course and Therapeutic Writing, which are the site’s top two writing courses. In recent months, Raab’s online course in memoir writing has been ranked #1 of all DailyOM courses.
Diana Raab, author of Writing For Bliss series
More than 12,000 people have enrolled in Raab’s online courses. Write Heal Transform. As the course title implies, it serves as a hands-on guide to healing and transformation through writing one’s own memoir. The eight-week course consists of eight lessons (one lesson per week) that teach the basics of memoir writing and the ways in which this type of writing cultivates self-awareness and using one’s voice to speak one’s truth. In short, Diana Raab’s course helps wounded healers become storytellers. Her new course, Therapeutic Writing, is an empowering ten-day course guiding and supporting participants in using writing as a therapeutic tool to individual self-exploration.
A unique feature of DailyOM courses is that the price is not fixed, and those interested in taking them can pay what they can afford, starting from as low as $15 up to $50; the same material is available to those taking the course – regardless of what payment option they choose. The course page reads:
We simply trust that people are honest and will support the author of the course with whatever they can afford. And if you are not 100% satisfied, we will refund your money.
When asked about the most important takeaways from her courses, Raab said, “There are a few salient points that I emphasize in all my workshops, whether it’s memoir writing or writing for healing, and whether it’s an in-person or an online course. First, writing is a process. Second, it’s important to enjoy the process or journey without focusing on the destination (possible publication), because this can detract from the creative aspect. Third, it’s important to write without fear. Writing our personal stories can be scary and daunting. It’s important to drop the fear and just write. As my first writing mentor told me, “Let it rip.”
Readers can learn more about Diana Raab and her work via www.dianaraab.com.
Joanna Walitalo
Joanna Walitalo grew up in Oil City, MI, where she took art classes at Bullock Creek Schools taught by Mr. Matherne and Mr. Myers; both very talented artists, and teachers with endless patience. She earned a BS degree in Biology and Envi-ronmental Studies from Central Michigan University, and took art classes at the Midland Center for the Arts, where she had the opportunity to study under Armin Mersmann. While studying at CMU, she took art classes form Dietmar Krumrey II and Michael Volker. From there, she moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she earned a Master of Forestry at Michigan Technological University. A strong love of the outdoors, and wild places, has led her to incorporate her pas-sion for art with her professional education in order to bring the beauty of wildlife and wild places closer to the general public through scientifically accurate artwork. By far, the artist that influenced Joanna the most throughout her life has been her mom, Barb Rogers, who taught art at Coleman Middle School, MI, for many years, and always encouraged and guided Joanna to incorporate art into all her endeavors. Today, Joanna continues to live with her loving husband James, and son little James, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, working as an artist and illustrator.
