Meet a Warrior: Introducing 1Wise-Woman

The strength of Blood Into Ink is the writers who gather here. Each member is fierce, talented and incredibly respectful and supportive of others living with a history of trauma. We believe that their stories will move and inspire you

Curator/Writer

I write under the name 1Wise-Woman.

Where do you live? What do you love about it?

I live in Western Oregon, out in the country, on 35 acres of forestland. Oregon is known for it’s beautiful scenery, from old growth forests, mountains to the Pacific Ocean. I live in an area that most would consider to be full of “hippies”. We love organic everything, local businesses, biking instead of driving, tie-dye, natural living, weed in any form (I may be the only person that does not partake), bra-less boobs and our college football team. In the area that I live, you could drive an hour west and get to snow-covered mountains or drive an hour east and get to the ocean. My home is nestled in a little valley, surrounded by wineries and forests. It’s very peaceful and quiet.

Tell us about yourself

I am an extreme introvert who wishes she could be an extrovert. I have spent most of my adult life working with children and families who are at risk of abuse and neglect and have disabilities and developmental delays. I love sports (I played basketball in college), gardening, art, books, animals and my family (my husband and two wonderful adult children). I have 5 dogs, 5 chickens, 3 goats and 1 cat. A few years ago, I became unable to work after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. I also have chronic migraines, am in recovery and have several mental health diagnoses, including PTSD, anxiety, depression and eating disorder NOS. It is important to me that I share my experiences with mental illness, as I want to help end the stigma and shed some light on invisible illness. I am an example of how one can appear “normal” while being very sick. After leaving work, I had to re-evaluate who I was and what I was and that is when I began writing.

Tell us about your blog

I blog at A Lion Sleeps in the Heart of the Brave. I began blogging in December, 2016.

What motivated you to start your blog A Lion Sleeps in the Heart of the Brave?

I started blogging after I had to leave work due to my illnesses. I was surprised at how many friends I lost and how lonely it was being sick. That experience sparked a fire that made me want to share my experiences, express my feelings and hopefully connect with others who had similar circumstances. I started out writing in more of an essay style but didn’t find it quite as satisfying. After looking around at various other WordPress blogs, I realized that I could still share my life with physical and mental health issues while using a more poetic style. Several bloggers inspired me to start that, especially Christine Ray and Olde Punk. They helped me see that I had/have a strong voice and a desire to express myself, and that I could do it in a more meaningful and artful way. I found out that I actually liked it. My husband used to frequently tell me I should be a writer and I guess he was right! I honestly never imagined that I would be good at it and it still surprises me that there are people out there who actually like what I write. It now gives me a sense of purpose and pride to know that I am able to help people in a way that works with my disability.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What keeps you blogging at A Lion Sleeps in the Heart of the Brave?

I am inspired and motivated by all of the amazing people I have met here. The community is very supportive. I am also motivated to continue writing because of my medical issues. There is a long way to go in ending the stigma around mental health and invisible illnesses and I want to work towards ending that. Every day is a struggle to get through and an even bigger battle to get through with a smile on my face and peace in my heart. It is easier to get through knowing I have such a supportive environment that allows me to freely express myself. If just one person finds my writing helpful or can connect with it in some way, I feel like I am accomplishing something. It helps to fill the void of having to stop working and find a new and different way to be helpful (I hope).

Why did you get involved with Blood Into ink?

Becoming involved with Blood Into Ink provides another way that I can be helpful. I have also experienced trauma and domestic violence and it is critical that we share our stories so that others will feel the strength and bravery that comes with being a survivor. There is light on the other side and I want to be that light for someone.

What does it mean to be a “Warrior Voice of Survival”?

It means that I can be an example of the possibility of surviving against the odds. I have had more mountains placed in front of me than any one should and I have been able to climb each of those mountains and I’m still here. The most important aspect of this is to show my children that it is possible to have hardships and to overcome, that each of us is so much stronger than we think and anything is possible. With each mountain, comes an equal amount of learning, knowledge and strength. It is important to me to emphasize that as a group, we are even stronger and we need to come together to face those mountains.

Tell us about your writing goals

I am so new to blogging that right now my goal is to write more frequently and to have confidence in myself as a writer

What is your writing process and routine?

I’m not sure that I have one. Maybe this should be one of my goals too. I basically write down words, phrases, thoughts that I see, hear, read or that pop into my mind. I keep a word document with all of these various ideas and when I feel inspired, confident, and physically and emotionally well, I tweak them and put them together into a meaningful piece, using my own words/voice.

 

Has your writing appeared in print?  How did that happen?

Not yet!

What is your advice for new writers and bloggers?

Write from your heart. Don’t try to write what you think other people want to read. Be yourself and write what you have to say in whatever format feels best for you.

Talk to us about what you like to read

I love fiction, especially dark and twisted. My favorite writers are Cormac McCarthy, Patrick Suskind, Jose Saramago, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and John Irving, to name a few. Perfume is one of my all time favorite books.

Tell us about three of your favorite blogs to follow

I like so many it’s difficult to pick just three. I enjoy Oldpunk @ RamJet Poetry. I love his writing style, his rhythm, his word choice and his kick ass attitude. I also like S. K. Nicholas @ AJournalForDamnedLovers. He has such an amazing way of expressing familiar feelings and sees a reality that is very similar to the way I view life. I love how he writes about such intense subject matter but in a very blasé, it is what it is, way. Rayne @ Journey Toward Healing, is also one of my favorites. She writes so honestly and openly about her life and her strength is inspiring. There are many more bloggers that I appreciate, not only because they are amazing writers, but also because of their support and encouragement. Some inspire me for the same reasons as above, others for their unique way of writing and some for their sense of humor, which saves me some days.

Tell us which pieces of your own writing are your favorites

This is hard to answer. I like “Background Noise” because it is a real look at what anxiety and PTSD look like, “Plastic Girl” and “Away Then”

Any final thoughts for the Blood Into Ink readers?

Starting a blog and joining WordPress has been one of the best things in my life in the recent past. I love the support and encouragement. It’s great to feel included in such a wonderful community, especially because I am generally a quiet person who prefers to stay in the background. I appreciate that everyone here allows me to be myself and accepts me as I am.