writing class radio

168: How to Write about Life When Everyday Is a Reminder of Death?

Nov 29, 2023

Dr. Colleen Arnold, physician and freelance writer, discusses hot topic/cold prose, writing in the present tense vs. past, and shares a powerful story about her experience with a stage four mesothelioma patient. They also explore the complexities of grief, the impact of food on cancer, and invite listeners to join their writing community.

16:29

Episode guests

Colleen Arnold

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The importance of being emotionally present for patients and listening to their stories and tears as a way to navigate through grief and loss.

The power of using the present tense in writing to convey immediate emotions and create a strong impact for the reader.

Deep dives

Managing Weight with NUUM

NUUM uses science and personalization to help manage weight for the long term, emphasizing building better habits and behaviors.

The End of Grief

00:30

Introduction

4min

A Doctor's Visit with a Patient Diagnosed with Stage Four Mesothelioma

4min

Navigating Grief and Loss

8min

The Impact of Food on Cancer and Heartbreaking Stories

2min

Explore Writing Class Radio's Website and Join the Writing Community

2min

Today on our show, we are talking about hot topic/cold prose and when and why to write in the present tense vs. past. The story we share is written in the present tense, which gives readers the feeling that they're going through the situation with the narrator, in real time. Today’s essay is by Dr. Colleen Arnold who is a physician and freelance writer in Lexington, Virginia.

Dr. Arnold has written for Insider, Wall Street Journal, Chicken Soup for the Soul among others. She is a mom to three adult daughters and grandmother to a two-year-old. When she’s not with patients or family, she’s hiking with her dog, doing yoga, or camping in her minivan. You can find her on Facebook and on her Website.

Writing Class Radio is hosted by Allison Langer and Andrea Askowitz. Audio production by Matt Cundill, Evan Surminski, Chloe Emond-Lane, and Aiden Glassey at the Sound Off Media Company. Theme music is by Justina Shandler.

A transcription of this episode is available here.

There’s more writing class on our website including stories we study, editing resources, video classes, writing retreats, and live online classes. Join our writing community by following us on Patreon.

If you want to write with us every week, you can join our First Draft weekly writers groups. You have the option to join me on Tuesdays 12-1 ET and/or Thursdays with Eduardo Winck 8-9pm ET. You’ll write to a prompt and share what you wrote. If you’re a business owner, community activist, group that needs healing, entrepreneur and you want to help your team write better, check out all the classes we offer on our website, writingclassradio.com.

Join the community that comes together for instruction, an excuse to write, and the support from other writers. To learn more, go to www.Patreon.com/writingclassradio. Or sign up HERE for First Draft for a FREE Zoom link.

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writing class radio

168: How to Write about Life When Everyday Is a Reminder of Death?

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Managing Weight with NUUM

A Doctor's Experience with Loss and Grief

The Power of Present Tense and Emotional Authenticity

The End of Grief

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts