The Found Voice: Writers' Beginnings uses the means of literary biography and criticism to do something rarely attempted—to understand how a key creative period establishes the authoritative voice of a unique artist. The essays which explore this hidden process of the writer writing focus on some of the major writers of recent times, V.S. Naipaul, J.M. Coetzee, Alice Munro, William Trevor, and Mavis Gallant. The focus of investigation is a single work by each author, and many of them identify the book in which this turning point was reached. The writers have a somewhat different sense of what the voice is, 'a true voice', 'the voice in the mind', 'the writing voice', etc., yet all of them accept the phrase 'finding a voice' as a decisive and necessary process towards a unique style and vision, their raison d'être as artists. These essays allow each one to define his or her sense of the process of writing, and their style is exploratory. Nevertheless, certain patterns emerge, of migration and cultural displacement, of linguistic self-consciousness, of memory and a reimagining of the first home, of absorbing and rejecting mentors and models. Crucially, the essays rely not just on what led up to the moment of creation but on a sense of the career that emerged from it. Most of the writers have written retrospectively in memoirs, interviews or essays about the pivotal work and its foundational significance. They are the best witnesses to the process, although their silence or their commentary is understood in terms of the many strands of the narrative that each essay presents.

The incredible story of a lead singer's rise to fame and his crushing fall when he lost his singing voice, his career, and his marriage--and then found a new calling more in tune with God than he ever thought possible. Mark Stuart was the front man of popular Christian rock band, Audio Adrenaline, at a time when the Christian music scene exploded. Advancing from garage band to global success, the group sold out stadiums all over the world, won Grammy Awards, and even celebrated an album going certified Gold. But after almost twenty years, Mark's voice began to give out. When doctors diagnosed him with a debilitating disease, the career with the band he'd founded and dedicated his life to building was gone. Then to his shock, his wife ended their marriage, and Mark believed he'd lost everything. Unsure of his future, Mark traveled to Haiti to help with the band's ministry, the Hands and Feet Project. When the devastating 2010 earthquake hit, media learned he was present and sought him out for interviews. Ironically, Mark became the scratchy voice for the struggling Haitians, drawing the world's attention to their dire circumstances. In the process, Mark found a greater purpose than he'd ever known before. In this gripping, compelling new book, Mark Stuart overlays his story with passages from the gospel of John, urging his readers to listen for God's voice and to embrace his big love that calls us into a big life.

‘This book is brilliant! It will change lives.’ - Suzy Walker, Editor-in-Chief, Psychologies 'A fantastic guide to speaking up and overcoming insecurities by the best voice coach ever.' - Viv Groskop, author of How to Own the Room Speak up and stand out Whether you want more social confidence in your day-to-day life, are hosting an event or appearing on a podcast, Find Your Voice will empower you to be bold, be present and captivate any audience. Based on decades of helping broadcasters, celebrities, teachers and top level professionals speak effortlessly in front of others, renowned voice teacher and communication expert Caroline Goyder will show you how to: · Harness the full potential of your body, breath and voice · Genuinely connect to others in a dizzyingly distracted world · Stand out as calm speaker whatever the situation

Emmy redefines trauma in a way that allows you to accept the things that have happened to you in your life, reflect on who they've made you become & guide you on how to unravel yourself from the throws of these traumas. She gently enables you to go on and live with vibrant possibility ? Paloma Faith, Multi-platinum Singer & Songwriter __________ Do you find yourself plagued by anxiety or depression? Do you struggle with an eating disorder or constantly criticise the way you look? Do you often feel stuck in destructive patterns/cycles and toxic relationships with partners/family/friends/colleagues? Do you feel like you play small and have lost touch with the real you? If you said yes to any of these then Find Your True Voice was written for you. Trained psychotherapist, Emmy Brunner, has created the ultimate 11-step self-healing guide you need to identify and overcome the wounds of the past that are negatively impacting your mental health and preventing you from being the happiest version of yourself. She will help you to: Identify your inner critical voice and challenge limiting beliefs Identify your personal unresolved trauma and shame/guilt you are carrying Find new, positive coping strategies Recognise and articulate your needs Confront and overcome fear, worry and anxiety Discover self-acceptance and begin to show up fully in all your relationships and your career Uncover your true purpose and reconnect with your passions/desires Using a combination of case studies, practical clinical advice and personal experiences, this book is guaranteed to help you take your first steps towards a more joyful, fulfilling life. Whether you're struggling with a lack of confidence, clarity and connection, or feel like all you can do is manage your mental health condition, Emmy Brunner is here to help guide you through the process of healing; cultivating a more compassionate relationship with yourself and creating the life you have always wanted. __________ 'Emmy's book envelopes you into her arms and guides you on a journey of self-compassion and self-reflection in an extraordinarily practical way' Katie Piper, Writer, Activist and TV Presenter

This book inspired and helped me stay alive; now it's time to share it with the world!

Christian music icon and forty-time Dove award winner Sandi Patty has long astounded listeners with her powerful voice. And yet, off the stage, Sandi struggled to have a voice at all. Journey with Sandi and discover the tools you need to listen for God's voice and find your voice along the way. With a history of sexual abuse, infidelity, divorce, and crises of self-image, Sandi lived much of her life feeling unworthy of love or value. Like so many of us, she coped by living through the voices of others, allowing other people to prescribe her identity. As she performed around the world, Sandi met others just like her who hid their wounds behind quiet smiles and struggled to live with fractured identities. Through deeply intimate stories of her life and the empowering spiritual truths she's learned, Sandi offers readers wisdom to navigate the journey from voicelessness to discovering the voice God has given you, teaching you to: Embrace your true self Share your story Become the person God created you to be Sandi's warm and invitational writing will draw you to the voice of the God who sings over your life, saying you are seen, you are loved, and your voice is worth hearing. With timeless wisdom, The Voice will help you uncover your God-given identity and a voice of your very own. Praise for The Voice: "I've known Sandi for more than a quarter of a century. I'm one of the millions who have been blessed by her voice and touched by her words of wisdom. Her story is one of grace, hope, and second chances. May it impact all who read it." --Max Lucado, pastor and New York Times bestselling author "My favorite kind of spiritual leader is the one who tells the truth and gives others permission to tell the truth. I don't need shiny, polished, or tidy. I need genuine. Sandi, my dear friend, whom I love wholeheartedly, has given us this and more in The Voice." --Jen Hatmaker, New York Times bestselling author

At age twenty-six, author Michelle L. Whitlock thought she had it all: her health, a promising career, and a budding new romance. Then she learned that she had HPV, and weeks later her worst nightmare became her reality: she was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer. Adamant to preserve her fertility, she refused a radical hysterectomy and chose a less extreme, fertility-saving procedure. The surgery was a success, but just years later—a week after the love of her life proposed—Michelle discovered her cancer was back. In this memoir, Michelle narrates her journey through and beyond cancer. She took charge of her health care by carefully choosing doctors and her treatment options. In just eight short weeks, she planned a destination wedding, harvested eggs, and with her fiancé, created embryos—their “maybe babies.” She got married and ten days later underwent a radical hysterectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. At twenty-nine, Michelle found herself with a new normal, which included menopause, hot flashes, a shortened vagina, and lack of sexual desire. She opens the door to her most intimate moments, frankly sharing how she worked to regain her sex life and providing other women in this situation a roadmap to do the same. This is one woman’s story of falling in love, battling HPV and cervical cancer, facing sexual dysfunction and infertility, and becoming her own best advocate. Inspirational, educational and honest, How I Lost My Uterus and Found My Voice tells the emotional story of love and loss, resilience and survival, empowerment and hope for the future. So if you have a vagina or love someone with a vagina, this book is for you! "Michelle Whitlock takes readers through a journey of loss and love and ends up giving a blueprint on how to make a comeback. How I Lost My Uterus and Found My Voice will make you laugh and cry and leave you wanting more. There will be no pages left unturned in this deeply personal memoir. This book isn’t just for those who have survived cancer—it’s for the masses. How I Lost My Uterus and Found My Voice is a thrilling look at life." —Tamika Felder, founder of Cervivor.org