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For twelve months Deborah kept a journal to help her with a chronic pain condition. Soon she found herself contemplating all of life’s pains and losses, including the devastating earthquakes that shattered her hometown of Christchurch.
Searching for a way through, she began observing the natural world on her doorstep and reflecting on family and friendship, flowers, beauty, literature and art. By ‘giving herself to life’ she discovered the power of writing to heal. You can read more about the book on Deborah's website www.thejournal.co.nz. |
Reviews of Giving Yourself to Life
This lovely journal, not made lovely by chronic pain, but deepened because of it. Humane, delicate and bold as the journals of May Sarton or Elisabeth Tova Bailey’s observation of her snail.
~ Elizabeth Smither, poet and novelist
~ Elizabeth Smither, poet and novelist
“Slow, elegant and brave, this journal, a map of a year of constant pain, delves into the author's struggle to 'live in the moment.' Full of grit and stoicism, the writer makes a beautiful chart of a horrid thing. An admirable achievement.”
~ Kate Llewellyn, poet and author
~ Kate Llewellyn, poet and author
“This is a fascinating book and certainly a great deal more than a record of chronic pain. As the title suggests it ‘captures the essence of how to live in the midst of ill-health, misunderstanding, despair and aloneness.’ While reading it, I was amazed at, and inspired by Deborah Shepard’s courage, optimism and perseverance in the face of sustained distress, and by her ability to gather sustenance from creativity. Her reflections on art, on literature, on her garden especially, are wonderful reminders that one can rise above adversity and ‘find a way to be and to feel alive by being receptive.’ She mentions Matisse in old age, and how his ‘irrepressible creativity carried him through a time of suffering.’
Anyone interested in the creative process, in writing especially, will find this book an invaluable insight and a guide, with all manner of enticing and far ranging snippets as well as a useful bibliography. And on top of that, the book is beautifully produced. A joy to hold in the hand and read. Each page bringing something of note to one’s attention to keep one fully engaged, challenged and mesmerized.”
—Riemke Ensing, poet
'A compulsive read. I found myself looking forward to each entry wondering whether the day would be up or down and who might say something to boost the author, or who might suggest she was doing the wrong thing, or that her attitude needed adjustment! A beautifully written journal that fills a gap in the literature as an authentic first-person account of the struggle with pain.'
— Dr Bob Large, psychiatrist, Clinical Director, The Auckland Regional Pain Service, Greenlane Hospital 1992 - 1996, 1998 - 2012
“Searingly honest, deeply inspiring, Deborah has written a beautiful memoir describing her journey coming to terms with intractable nerve pain. I spent last weekend reading her journal and found it engrossing and inspiring. Deborah has filled the gap of people writing from their own experience of that period in the wilderness when one is in the early days of coming to terms with a chronic condition of any sort. She is so honest, and in a really lovely way. I felt like I was listening to a sister and quietly celebrating her victories and her struggles. A must read for anyone living with pain, as well as for their carers and loved ones.”
— Vidyamala Burch, author of Pain & Illness: The Mindful Way to Free Yourself from Suffering, co-author of Mindfulness for Health.
“To anyone familiar with negotiating the parameters of pain, Deborah Shepard’s personal story will resonate loud and clear.”
— Wallace Chapman, TV and radio broadcaster
“I read this manuscript through in one go, without pausing and found it an intense page-turner. Deborah does not shirk from taking the reader into difficult places, yet also rewards us with utterly beautiful and compelling writing. The daily reflections on flowers, beauty, literature, art, family, friends and the writing life give her journal a richness of texture that is exceptional and really lifts the spirits of us the readers. This author is using memoir as a tool for survival in the most powerful way possible.”
— Dr Cathie Dunsford, Author and Director, Dunsford Publishing-Global Dialogues: www.dunsfordpublishing.com
You can listen to Bryan Crump's interview with Deborah on 'Nights on Radio New Zealand' here.
You can listen to Brian Kelly's interview with Deborah on Coast FM here.
Anyone interested in the creative process, in writing especially, will find this book an invaluable insight and a guide, with all manner of enticing and far ranging snippets as well as a useful bibliography. And on top of that, the book is beautifully produced. A joy to hold in the hand and read. Each page bringing something of note to one’s attention to keep one fully engaged, challenged and mesmerized.”
—Riemke Ensing, poet
'A compulsive read. I found myself looking forward to each entry wondering whether the day would be up or down and who might say something to boost the author, or who might suggest she was doing the wrong thing, or that her attitude needed adjustment! A beautifully written journal that fills a gap in the literature as an authentic first-person account of the struggle with pain.'
— Dr Bob Large, psychiatrist, Clinical Director, The Auckland Regional Pain Service, Greenlane Hospital 1992 - 1996, 1998 - 2012
“Searingly honest, deeply inspiring, Deborah has written a beautiful memoir describing her journey coming to terms with intractable nerve pain. I spent last weekend reading her journal and found it engrossing and inspiring. Deborah has filled the gap of people writing from their own experience of that period in the wilderness when one is in the early days of coming to terms with a chronic condition of any sort. She is so honest, and in a really lovely way. I felt like I was listening to a sister and quietly celebrating her victories and her struggles. A must read for anyone living with pain, as well as for their carers and loved ones.”
— Vidyamala Burch, author of Pain & Illness: The Mindful Way to Free Yourself from Suffering, co-author of Mindfulness for Health.
“To anyone familiar with negotiating the parameters of pain, Deborah Shepard’s personal story will resonate loud and clear.”
— Wallace Chapman, TV and radio broadcaster
“I read this manuscript through in one go, without pausing and found it an intense page-turner. Deborah does not shirk from taking the reader into difficult places, yet also rewards us with utterly beautiful and compelling writing. The daily reflections on flowers, beauty, literature, art, family, friends and the writing life give her journal a richness of texture that is exceptional and really lifts the spirits of us the readers. This author is using memoir as a tool for survival in the most powerful way possible.”
— Dr Cathie Dunsford, Author and Director, Dunsford Publishing-Global Dialogues: www.dunsfordpublishing.com
You can listen to Bryan Crump's interview with Deborah on 'Nights on Radio New Zealand' here.
You can listen to Brian Kelly's interview with Deborah on Coast FM here.