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Memory Catcher

Braiding memory and imagination to craft your story.

Grief
Writing After a Loved One Dies

Laura Deutsch on January 1, 2022

If you’re wary of opening up a topic, such as grief, it can help to write about it. And if you place boundaries around it in your writing practice, it's less likely to leak into your day.

If you’re wary of opening up a topic, such as grief, it can help to write about it. And if you place boundaries around it in your writing practice, it's less likely to leak into your day.

Cognition
Do You Remember Your First Kiss?

Laura Deutsch on December 26, 2021

A Personal Perspective: As he walked me home across frost-covered fields, he asked if he could kiss me. I still remember his runny nose, his red-rimmed eyes.

A Personal Perspective: As he walked me home across frost-covered fields, he asked if he could kiss me. I still remember his runny nose, his red-rimmed eyes.

Meditation
Meditation: In a Heartbeat

Laura Deutsch on September 1, 2021

Through a stethoscope, I hear the beat. But when I am sitting quietly alone, it is more a feeling than a sound. A steady pulsing in my chest, in and out, in and out.

Through a stethoscope, I hear the beat. But when I am sitting quietly alone, it is more a feeling than a sound. A steady pulsing in my chest, in and out, in and out.

Meditation
Calling Yourself Quirky Instead of Defective

Laura Deutsch on August 31, 2021

A Personal Perspective: It's less stressful for people to view themselves as unique and quirky than defective or as if something is wrong.

A Personal Perspective: It's less stressful for people to view themselves as unique and quirky than defective or as if something is wrong.

Education
The Importance of Education

Laura Deutsch on June 28, 2021

Good schools, good jobs. I looked good, had climbed to the top of the ladder. Too bad it was the wrong ladder.

Good schools, good jobs. I looked good, had climbed to the top of the ladder. Too bad it was the wrong ladder.

Friends
Nerve Endings Outside My Skin

Laura Deutsch on June 23, 2021

I was born with nerve endings on the outside of my skin. But I was born into a world where most successful people seem to have nerves internally or not at all.

I was born with nerve endings on the outside of my skin. But I was born into a world where most successful people seem to have nerves internally or not at all.

Anxiety
He Said, She Said

Laura Deutsch on December 30, 2020

Writers develop the ability to know when a line is a winner. As soon as you hear one, write it down.

Writers develop the ability to know when a line is a winner. As soon as you hear one, write it down.

Identity
Remodeling?

Laura Deutsch on December 20, 2020

My home was having an identity crisis. California Japonesque meets the south of France.

My home was having an identity crisis. California Japonesque meets the south of France.

Cognition
Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Body

Laura Deutsch on December 13, 2020

Artist Susan Hall espoused the virtues of clay: You can make mistakes and get rid of them. Above all, she promises “working with clay gets you out of your head.”

Artist Susan Hall espoused the virtues of clay: You can make mistakes and get rid of them. Above all, she promises “working with clay gets you out of your head.”

Creativity
Does Water Relax You?

Laura Deutsch on September 29, 2020

In the warm indoor pool, I focused on how it felt to move through the water. How would I describe the feeling?

In the warm indoor pool, I focused on how it felt to move through the water. How would I describe the feeling?

Fantasies
We Can Feel the Movement

Laura Deutsch on July 13, 2020

We describe great settings; then, the characters move. Their actions and behaviors can convey their emotions.

We describe great settings; then, the characters move. Their actions and behaviors can convey their emotions.

Attention
Succulence

Laura Deutsch on June 25, 2020

Just say a word like succulence and you move to a sensory realm. Whether you’re describing plants, food, or people, your subjects are juicy and full of life.

Just say a word like succulence and you move to a sensory realm. Whether you’re describing plants, food, or people, your subjects are juicy and full of life.

Environment
Rituals and Altars

Laura Deutsch on June 22, 2020

I had a corner of serenity in my home. What would you put on your altar or what rituals help you start your day?

I had a corner of serenity in my home. What would you put on your altar or what rituals help you start your day?