A Passionate Life: May 1, 2012

I took part in a joint venture between the WCDR, or Writer's Community of Durham Region, and The Durham Theatre Festival tonight. The gig was called Words of the Season and it was a celebration of prose, poetry, song, and community.

I've been working hard at getting over my public speaking phobia and have been putting myself out there as much as I can to help conquer my fear. This seemed like the perfect venue: lots of artsy and writerly types, an open mike, and access to alcohol—it was held at a pub. Now I didn't drink anything, but I figured the more they drank the better I would sound. ;)

So I took the plunge and got up on stage and read a prose poem. And though my knees were knocking, I focused on my breathing (yoga comes in handy for so many things) and just let the words flow through me. I managed to get through the entire poem with some good inflection in my voice and some genuine eye contact with the audience who were not, in fact, naked.

Apart from my own personal drama there were about fifteen other presenters. Poems, works of fiction and nonfiction, dedications, and songs filled the pub. Everyone who was there was engaging in their passion, and they were there to share that passion with others.

There was a lot of love in the room!
In gratitude,
Marissa

LIFE in the news!!!

Durham authors on 'a mission to help the world'

Self-help book also a work of fiction

Durham authors on 'a mission to help the world'. BROOKLIN -- Annemarie Greenwood and fellow Durham resident Marissa Campbell have co-authored 'LIFE: Living in Fulfillment Every Day'. March 27, 2012 Jason Liebregts / Metroland

DURHAM -- Another self-help book?
Collaborators Annemarie Greenwood of Oshawa and Marissa Campbell of Brooklin already know what you're thinking: they're often heavy and dry.
But think again: they're LIFE: Living in Fulfillment Every Day is not your typical self-help book. It's a work of fiction, a story about Eve, a mom who's balancing family, work and school. While she has a busy life, Eve feels that something is missing. When she meets Grace, the two begin a dialogue and Eve begins a journey of learning about herself.

And it's easy to see something, maybe a lot, of ourselves in Eve.
"LIFE was really written as guide for you to find your own unique path to fulfillment," Campbell says.
"As Eve goes through this transformation, she goes on a personal journey of growth and the reader goes along," Greenwood says.

The women are yoga instructors and took a course together in Toronto. They would talk about philosophy during the trips, asking 'why are people unhappy'. Campbell ultimately said, 'we really should be writing some of this down' and the book was born. They argue that, like Eve, our lives are so busy that we never take a moment for self-awareness, to ask ourselves what it is that motivates us. Instead, expectations are externally placed on us, obstacles that prevent us from living every day with passion and joy.

Greenwood jumps in to stress that the authors aren't claiming to have the cure for depression. But Campbell says they were on "a mission to help the world."

As for the writing, the two made an excellent team. Greenwood says "writing for me takes a long time," but the retired teacher enjoys brainstorming and editing. As for Campbell, she was a published author before LIFE.

They've already received some great feedback on the book. And the highest praise of all has come from some of their students, who have said, 'I feel like you're writing about me'.

"It really makes you feel good to know you're helping people," Greenwood says.

The authors launch their book on April 21 at Three Steps Up, 605 Brock St. N., Whitby, from 1 to 3 p.m.

On April 28, they'll be signing copies at the Ajax Chapters from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit www.lifelivinginfulfillmenteveryday.com to learn more.
And check out their blog at www.lifelivinginfulfillmenteveryday.blogspot.com

 Source: Durham Region.com by Mike Ruta