Tag: homelessness

Righting Groups: Certified Organic

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on November 7, 2019. Posted in General, HOMELESSNESS, Writing. No Comments on Righting Groups: Certified Organic

This often happens. I lay awake at night thinking of the perfect topic for the next day’s Righting Group. Then I arrive at group. Lately, I’ve been doing RGs at new places that haven’t done RG before. So there is a recruitment spiel (even a bit of bribery with chocolate) and a period of uncertainty about whether the group will...

My New Righting Group Book

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on October 30, 2019. Posted in General, HOMELESSNESS, Writing. No Comments on My New Righting Group Book

Y’all, I’ve been so busy getting my new book into the hands of folks who can use it, I haven’t stopped long enough to tell you about it. Most of y’all know for 8 years I was part of a weekly writing group of Memphians who had personally experienced homelessness. We wrote; we held public readings; we hosted full-day...

Labor Day & I’m Tired

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 2, 2019. Posted in General, HOMELESSNESS, Writing. 2 Comments on Labor Day & I’m Tired

Oh, y’all. I’m worn out. In the last 3 days, I’ve incorporated massive revisions to HARBORING EVIL that were sent by the agent. I’ve also revised its long synopsis, drafted a short synopsis (shorter is SO much harder.) Drafted a long synopsis for Harboring Malice, hopefully the second installment in the series, and drafted...

Yikes!

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on September 3, 2016. Posted in HOMELESSNESS, Writing. 14 Comments on Yikes!

What was I thinking? Sending out such a request? Yes, my agent is shopping my novel to big name publishing houses. Yes, editors at those houses—complete strangers—are judging my work. Plus, I’ve been in writing groups for years where judging nascent work is the name of the game. But this is different. I put out a request on Facebook for...

Spiritual Bottleneck

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on May 10, 2016. Posted in GOD, HOMELESSNESS. 10 Comments on Spiritual Bottleneck

Early Wednesday morning, the man who’d spent the night on the streets walked the hallway at St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. He stopped at my table, lingering. He did not look happy. I think of this church hallway as the “neck” between Sister’s Chapel, where we hold the church service attended mostly by those living on the streets, and Martyrs...

“Working” with “The Homeless”

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on May 6, 2016. Posted in HOMELESSNESS, LOVE. 8 Comments on “Working” with “The Homeless”

He calls me over. Wants to know if I work out. “‘Cause you sure got a nice shape.” The breakfast St. Mary’s offers for those currently homeless is almost finished. He’s mopping up his grits. His friend on the other side of the table is interested in my answer to his question. The friend cranes his neck, surveying...

June: Not a Sentimental Person

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on May 2, 2016. Posted in General, GOD, HOMELESSNESS, Writing. 12 Comments on June: Not a Sentimental Person

Many years ago, when I was letting the Spirit lead me around by the nose, I went to Door of Hope and asked if I could start a writing group for men and women living on the street. Dr. June Mann Averyt, the founder and then Executive Director of Door of Hope, watched me toddle through the door in my high heels and said, “What the hell—go...

Trust the River

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on April 5, 2016. Posted in General, HOMELESSNESS, Writing. 2 Comments on Trust the River

I arrived at a certain point in the writing of Jazzy and the Pirate that felt like a period. An ending about to soar to a new beginning. Exciting, but also a bit daunting. I needed a break. How does a writer take a break? Revise a different novel, of course. Don’t worry. I’m not abandoning Jazzy. I’m simply letting my mind focus...

Don’t Thumb Your Nose at the Spirit

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on February 23, 2016. Posted in GOD, HOMELESSNESS, LOVE. 9 Comments on Don’t Thumb Your Nose at the Spirit

I hate the Holy Spirit. Okay, hate is a strong word. But I have issues with this Spirit that constantly tells me to do things that embarrass the hell out of me. Take the recent prayer vigil I attended. A friend of mine was to be a featured speaker at the vigil. She is one of the authors of Writing Our Way Home: A Group Journey Out of Homelessness....

Summer Reading Recommendation: Writing Our Way Home

Written by Ellen Morris Prewitt on August 3, 2015. Posted in HOMELESSNESS, Writing. No Comments on Summer Reading Recommendation: Writing Our Way Home

Thank you to Luanne Castle at Writersite for featuring Writing Our Way Home: A Group Journey Out of Homelessness on her blog. Check it out, and while you’re there, take a look around. She’! http://writersite.org/2015/07/27/summer-reading/