Discovering Mindful Writers: Sue Ferrera
Wisdom and reflections from Sue's writing journey
Welcome to the December “Discovering Mindful Writers Q&A”. Each month, a guest writer answers the same seven questions about their writing life.
I am delighted to welcome this month. Sue writes Tales of a Wayward Yogini to foster healing, acceptance and joy and shares her stories using nature and forgiveness, along with a bit of music and yoga, to help you facilitate healing.
She is a certified yoga instructor and author of Lessons of a Wayward Yogini. The adjective wayward serves as a reminder that the path is not always straight and narrow. More times than not, it is one step forward, two steps back, a mad dash, and then the occasional left turn down a dead-end road. But in the end, we have the power to arrive at our desired destination.
I hope you enjoy her answers to my questions.
What do you think about the responses Sue has given? Do let us know in the comments.
With love,
What does mindful writing mean to you?
Mindful writing (for me) happens when I sink deep enough into my feelings to share something that will invoke a connection with my readers. I am fond of saying that we are much more alike than we understand. What creates the chasms between us are our individual prior experiences. We all heal when we can offer our truths and find common ground with others.
How does a mindful writing practice fit into your wider mindfulness journey?
My mindfulness journey began in my early twenties when I sought counseling, attending a weekly therapy group. When my therapy came to a close a few years in, I shifted and became a peer counselor for the group. I spent the following ten years helping others acknowledge and accept their feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, ultimately leading to their healing. You can read more about that experience here. Creating Tales of a Wayward Yogini has allowed me to expand and continue that mindfulness journey with a writing practice, which is nothing short of a dream come true.
What do you write? Essays, poetry, fiction, plays?
I write primarily essays and memoirs. I published my first book, Lessons of a Wayward Yogini, in 2021, which chronicles the year after my mother’s passing when I completed my yoga teacher training. I began blogging with Tales of a Wayward Yogini in 2018 and subsequently transferred it to Substack in July 2022.
What drives you to write?
Sitting at my computer, sifting through my thoughts, is a balm for my soul. In a world that pulls and tugs at my spirit from all directions, writing helps me make sense of the chaos, accept my experiences, and grow from them. Sharing my essays with others, hoping they find their own story in my writing, is also a driving force.
What stops you from writing?
Very little. Since I write about life, there’s always something to share. What does limit me is when I don’t dive deep enough to share my soft underbelly. The writing doesn’t flow. At those times I turn the computer off and return the following day prepared to embark on an emotional journey through writing. Without exception, this journey, often accompanied by tears, produces some of my most popular posts.
What do you aspire to achieve with your writing?
Just as my tagline says, help foster healing, acceptance and joy, for both myself and my readers.
How do you write? Are you a planner or do you just start writing from an idea and let it lead you?
Regarding scheduling, I have a loose writing schedule on Monday mornings and late afternoons on Tuesdays and Thursdays when my chores are completed, and I can free up my mind.
I typically start with an idea and let it lead me. However, there are times when I am inspired to continue a thread (my latest series, "The Beginning," is an example), and in those instances, I do plan ahead for the most part. However, in the majority of my posts, I begin only with an idea and see where it takes me.
Thanks so much for your time and sharing your insights and inspirations, Sue.
Next month’s guest is who writes Make Pure Thy Heart. Paolo is one of the first people I read on Substack and I am looking forward to bringing you his thoughts.
Read previous interviews in the series here.
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What a lovely interview to get to know Sue. 💖
thank you for highlighting mindful writers! Following Sue and you now, and I will go through the rest of your highlights soon.