Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION
POEM: SOMETIMES WRITING
I. THERE IS A SPIRIT
POEM: TO BREAK SILENCE
II. PRAYER
POEM: ABOUT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, GOD
III. RANSOM
POEM: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY
IV. FEAR
POEM: THIS IS A RIVER
V. DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
POEM: PERSONAL ADDRESS
VI. TRADITION: RELIGION
POEM: YOUR BOAT, YOUR WORDS
VII. TRADITION: WRITING
POEM: BRAIDED RUG
VIII. FORGIVING
POEM: PENN STATION, NEW YORK CITY
IX. RECEIVING FORGIVENESS
PLAY EXCERPT: THE UNDERTAKING
X. DOING GOOD
POEM: TWO THOUSAND DEATHS
XI. CHANGING THE WORLD
POEM: THIS FLIGHT
XII. THE BODY
XIII. DEATH
JOURNAL ENTRY: BURNING THE TOBACCO
XIV. STRANGENESS
POEM: THE FISH
XV. BELOVED COMMUNITY
POEM: THAT ONE
XVI. FREEDOM
POEM: CONFESSION
XVII. JOY
POEM: BLESSING FOR A WRITER
NOTES FOR TEACHERS, WORKSHOP OR RETREAT LEADERS AND COUNSELORS
INDEX

About the Author

A renowned teacher of writing, Pat Schneider is the author of ten works of poetry and nonfiction, including Writing Alone and With Others. Founder of Amherst Writers & Artists, she travels frequently to teach and has been leading workshops in creative writing at the Pacific School of Religion for almost thirty years. Garrison Keillor has read her poems sixteen times on "Writers Almanac."

Reviews

"How the Light Gets In is among the most inspiring personal stories I have ever read. Not only is this book beautifully written, but I felt the authenticity of the author's poignant spiritual journey in every word. Take time to read this book." --Caroline Myss, author of Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential
"Pat Schneider is one of America's premier writing instructors. Her genius lies as much in her tenacity as in her talent, and in a wild incredible belief that there is a force in the universe, a 'light' if you will, that we--'cracked' though we may be--can emit if we work hard enough. How the Light Gets In effortlessly shows us how to do that often difficult work. If there is one book on writing or writers you can read this year, I emphatically
recommend this one." --Sapphire, author of Push and The Kid
"How the Light Gets In is a moving blend of memoir and reflections on creative writing through the lens of spiritual practice that leaves the reader comforted and challenged. This is an instructive, marvelous read." --Emilie M. Townes, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale Divinity School
"Will have wide appeal to both amateur and seasoned writers and spiritual seekers whether or not tied to any tradition. The book is also useful as a tool for growth through reflection and writing. Highly recommended." --Library Journal
"Will captivate writers who are looking for an alternative to the typical "how-to" book--who are looking for a book both practical and reverential." --Image