The term “creative writing” may seem confusing at the first look. After all, every type of writing demands a certain amount of creativity, but not every piece of writing can be called a creative writing example. So, what is the definition of creative writing?
Creative writing is the writing that employs creative techniques to entertain the reader in addition to providing a message. Another creative writing definition is that it is the type of writing that aims at creating emotional response in the reader by using written visuals. In other words, a piece of creative writing does not simply tell a story, it helps the readers create a comprehensive picture in their minds.
Why is Creative Writing special?
Creative writing occupies a special place in the spectrum of writing types and techniques. Any writing is a form of communication which means that its purpose is to send a particular message to the reader. In this regard, creative writing is similar to any other form of writing you have encountered or even attempted to perform. The key difference that makes creative writing stand out is the methods it uses to achieve its goal.
While academic writing and publicistic operate mostly on facts, creative writing employs imagination and experimentation to make the reader invested in the story it tells. It provides the author creative freedom in terms of language choice and narrative approach.
At the same time, it is the most demanding type of writing in the sense that not all the creative choices are bound to pay off. As evident from the name, successful creative writing demands talent. However, it does not mean that there is no way to improve your skills. Check our creative writing tips to clarify which aspects of your work need close attention and become a better author.
Elements of creative writing
Before we proceed to how to write, let us discuss in more detail what to write. There are several elements of creative writing that you need to consider before you begin working on your first draft.
As it has already been implied above, any type of creative writing (we will discuss the distinctions later in the article) boils down to storytelling. To be a proper story, any narrative needs a plot. If you want to attract the attention of the readers, you better make the plot original and interesting.
A story has characters by definition. However, the fact that there are characters does not make a piece of writing fall into the category of creative writing. The characters must be developed throughout the story.
Character development means letting the reader understand the way in which a character changes throughout the story. It is also commonly referred to as a character arc.
Presenting the character gradually to the readers does not comprise character development. As an author, you need to make it clear that the events of the story have impacted the characters and present the changes those impacts caused.
An important thing to remember is that the story you are telling in your creative writing is not the message your piece conveys. It should serve as the vessel for the underlying message or theme you want to present. The choice of the theme impacts the formulation of the plot and even the creative writing type you will employ.
You need to have a clear idea concerning the time and space in which your story unfolds. Nobody says it must be real. The key requirement, however, is that the setting helps you to bring forward your characters and bring the underlying message to the audience. Setting must be an instrument rather than obstacle.
Creative writing does not merely tell the story. It describes its elements as graphically as possible to enable the readers to apply their imagination and immerse in the story.
Types of creative writing
The lyst of creative writing elements is not exhaustive and their application depends on the types of creative writing you are about to apply. Let’s have a look at the three most common forms creative writing may take.
Writing poetry is different from any other creative writing exercise. The reason for it is simple: nowadays poetry may take numerous forms and shapes. You may be interested in writing a classical onnet or a white (rhymeless) poem, but there is still general principles to follow if you want to create a good poem:
- Create a theme. While a poem does not need to narrate a story, it must have a topic. In other words, the reader of a good poem understands, at least instinctively, the purpose for which it was written.
- Use figurative language a lot. The key aspect of poetry that makes it stand out from other types of creative writing is the fact that it is written using metaphors, similes, hyperboles, personifications and so on. In fact, it is also the reason why some people do not like poetry and find it confusing.
- Pay attention to how it sounds. While poetry does not always involve rhymes, a clear rhythm is a must. You may also want to experiment with alliterations and onomatopoeia. Remember, poetry is supposed to be recited, not simply read.
It is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase “creative writing.” Indeed the list of the elements discussed above suits the purposes of fiction writing well. In addition to those building blocks, fiction writing usually depends heavily on dialogue. There are stories about a single character that do not presuppose any dialogue. However, to make such a story interesting, you need a really engaging plot and unusual setting. In other words, you may resort to more common compositions until you have developed your creative writing muscle.
Another issue that impacts the way you will write your fiction piece is point of view. Note that the second person narration is not commonly used in fiction writing. Yet, you may see this fact as an opportunity and be creative with it!
Creative nonfiction can be explained as a type of writing which is based on facts but allows creative freedom in the manner these facts are presented to the audience. An example of uch work is a biography or autobiography which presents a narrative of one’s life told using various literary devices meant to capture the interest of the readers.
Another example of creative nonfiction is memoir. The point of this type of writing is that it focuses on events that actually happened instead of being created in the author’s imagination. At the same time, the author approaches retelling those events with a high degree of creativity.
Creative writing prompts
Creative writing ideas may be difficult to come by. However, if you struggle with deciding what to write about, you do not need to give up on creative writing activities. There is nothing wrong with searching for creative writing prompts online for training purposes. Look for a prompt you find interesting and/or challenging, and give it a try. As you will become better in addressing such prompts, you will gradually find yourself generating your own ideas. This approach is especially useful for people looking for creative writing jobs since they will be required to work with prewritten prompts.
How to start?
First of all, you need to do your thorough research on genres and subgenres of creative writing. Check numerous creative writing examples to realize which form you would like to create.
Then you need to pick one genre and focus on it. There is no need for you to feel obliged to stick to your first choice. Trial and error are constant companions of a writer.
Once you have settled on genre. Start writing in it. Do not be discouraged by the fact that your first writings will be bad. You need time and practice to become a proficient writer and maybe even enter creative writing careers. Do not let failure stop you!
How to become better?
There are several creative writing exercises that will help you boost your creativity.
- Do not edit while writing. There will be time for polishing grammar. Your initial task is to come up with an engaging story, so do not distract yourself.
- Edit your old writings to add a pinch of creativity to them.
- Experiment! Try writing the same story from the perspective of different characters or using different points of view.
- Ask for an opinion. Let your friends or family provide feedback on your creative writing.
To sum it up
Creative writing is by far the most challenging type of writing. However, it is a misconception that proficient creative writers are born rather than made. You make create beautiful pieces of creative writing by following simple steps:
- Learn about forms and types of creative writing.
- Choose the one you are interested in/comfortable with.
- Let your creativity flow, you will revise the piece later.
- Practice your creative writing a lot to become fluent in it.


“The Losers’ Crusade” will be my fifth story for Third Flatiron, in their “Cat’s Breakfast” anthology – a tribute to Kurt Vonnegut Jr. We were asked to write a story that seemed to sum up Vonnegut’s vision without reusing any of his characters or scenarios, which I found a particularly difficult brief, but I seem to have come through. I’ll also be in two forthcoming Circlet Press anthologies; “How I Won the Lottery” will be appearing in “Playing Dirty”, and “The Day the Mirror Told the Truth” is set for their Beauty and the Beast anthology, “A Beastly Affair”.
You Are Here: Tales of Cartographic Wonders, edited by N E White, is now available, including my story “Literary Walks: The Cartographer by Martin Croft”, a meander through various locations in York, or more accurately Yorks.
There have also been some recent reviews of my work – BCN is positive about On Wings of Pity, and you might be interested to read Des Lewis’s review of my story collection The End of the World: A User’s Guide. Des was publisher of Nemonymous, and was responsible for the first publication of my story “The Point of Oswald Masters”.
And don’t forget that you can buy The End of the World: A User’s Guide for only £7.99.
[Last update 28 April 2017]


I spent a few days working on this and don't want to just throw it away, so you get to see it.
Like the title says, I'm rating Jedi and Sith who appear in The Skywalker Nonology (and only the nonology, no television shows or other ancillary media) in order of importance to the story.
Here we go:
12. Count Dooku/Darth Tyranus
A respected Jedi, Padawan of Yoda, Dooku grew disillusioned with the corruption in the Galactic Senate, as well as the traditions of the Jedi , and left the order to return to his homeworld, Serenno. There, he renounced the Jedi for losing their way. After the death of Maul, Sidious (following the Rule of Two) choose Dooku to be his new apprentice.
Dooku’s primary function was to marshal forces to the Separatist cause in anticipation of the Phantom Sith’s plans for The Clone Wars and, eventual, Empire. After the Battle of Geonosis, Dooku took ostensible command of the Separatist Army (secretly controlled by Sidious). In grand Sith style, Dooku tried to enlist several apprentices, himself, with the objective of overthrowing Palaptine, but Palpatine was far too clever for Dooku and manipulated Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker into executing him.
Dooku was the prime beard for Palpatine during the Clone Wars, but was ultimately too weak to pose a threat to Sidious or the Jedi.
Widely believed to be a Sith (or at least a force-sensitive humanoid) for the first two films of the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker revealed Snoke to have been nothing but a clone manufactured by Sidious to extend his reach beyond the Unknown Regions while awaiting the ascendancy of his granddaughter.
But Snoke was more than simply a placeholder. He was put into position to assemble The First Order and groom Kylo Ren in the Dark Side. Snoke’s ultimate purpose was served when he became the final test of Kylo Ren’s Dark journey. By betraying and murdering his “master”, Kylo proved to the Emperor that he was ready to accept the tenets of Sithhood.
Unbeknownst to Kylo, this proved, once again, the Rule of Two, that there can be only two Sith (one Master and one Apprentice) at any given time. He also served to bring Kylo and Rey together, an integral part of the Emperor’s master plan.
10. Qui-Gon Jinn
A legendary brave and selfless Jedi Master and the first of four on this list (although Dooku was a Master before he turned to the Dark Side), Qui-Jon Jinn’s importance to The Skywalker Saga manifests itself in a few ways, primarily by discovering the Chosen One and thus being the catalyst for the entire nine film series.
Qui-Gon was also the first Jedi to discover and master (after his death) the Jedi ability to transcend death as a Force Spirit. The ramifications of this knowledge would be felt through the entire nonology, as Kenobi, Yoda, Anakin, and Luke among others would return as Force Ghosts or voices to instruct further generations.
Qui-Gon was murdered, ignobly, by Darth Maul on the planet Naboo, thus allowing Obi-Wan Kenobi to ascend to the position of Jedi Master, and become instructive in the Jedi training of the young Anakin Skywalker.
9. Darth Maul
Born on the red planet, Dathomir, and son of Madame Talzin, leader of the Nightsisters, Maul became an apprentice to Talzin’s ally, Sidious, when he was still a child. Years later, Darth Maul would be the first Sith to reveal themselves to the Jedi in a millennium. Working at the behest of the Phantom Emperor, Maul, tracking Queen Amidala of the Naboo’s distress call to the desert planet of Tatooine, attempted to kidnap the queen for Sidious’ nefarious purposes.
This resulted in a great many things occurring, all conforming to Palpatine’s master plan of taking over the Republic and supplanting it with an Empire, with himself at the head.
One of the most significant of Maul’s actions was the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, killed by Maul in a generator complex on Naboo. This resulted in Maul’s own supposed death at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobi, which led to Kenobi becoming a Jedi Master assuming the training of Anakin Skywalker, at that time believed to be the fulfillment of an ancient Jedi Prophecy of a “Chosen One” who would bring “Balance to the Force.”
Also, he had the first “cool” lightsaber.
8. Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi was a Jedi Master. A former apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn, Kenobi was a staunch proponent of the Jedi Council and its dictates. After Kenobi “killed” Darth Maul on Naboo, he took on Qui-Jon Jinn’s dying request to take Anakin Skywalker under his wing as his Padawan. Despite some initial reluctance on the Jedi Council’s part, Kenobi was granted permission to train Skywalker, whom he believed was the “Chosen One” spoken of in Jedi prophecy.
Kenobi trained the volatile Skywalker as best he could, often ignoring (or blind to) Anakin’s growing discontent with the life of a Jedi. Kenobi was only vaguely aware of Skywalker’s unrequited love for Naboo Senator Padme Amidala, but chalked it up to youthful indiscretion.
Kenobi distinguished himself during The Clone Wars, but was unable to stop Anakin’s descent to the Dark Side, resulting in the deaths of the senator and countless Jedi and younglings. Kenobi stood watch over Anakin’s (now Darth Vader) hidden son, Luke, for years, now believing this son to be the Chosen One.
Once revealed to Luke, Kenobi told the boy lies about his parentage and who the Jedi were. Luke fell under his sway, promoting an adventure that resulted in Kenobi’s death at the hands of Vader.
Kenobi appeared as a Force spirit a number of times, apologizing to Luke for misleading him, but continuing to give him advice and guidance.
7. Leia Organa Solo
Another of Darth Vader’s hidden children, Leia grew up in the relative safety of the royal House of Organa on the planet Alderaan. Raised as a princess and politician, Leia didn’t discover her nascent Jedi abilities until long after meeting Rebel pilot (and Jedi in training) Luke Skywalker during a rescue operation. A major figure in the Rebellion against the Empire at the time, it would take three years before Skywalker, in a time of great distress, reached out to Leia through the Force, thus revealing her latent telepathic ability.
Leia trained with Skywalker for over a year following the Battle of Endor, constructing her own lightsaber, and learning the ways of the Jedi. It was at the end of this training that Leia had a vision that her Jedi path would lead to the death of her son, and she gave her lightsaber into Luke’s hands, for someone else to later wield.
Though she had given up her Jedi combat training, Leia was still powerful with the Force. She was able to save herself from exposure to the depths of space and was, eventually, able to reach across countless miles of space with her mind and touch the heart of her son, Kylo Ren, thus distracting him long enough for Rey to defeat him in battle.
This selfless act led to her death, but, ultimately, saved the universe.
6. Kylo Ren/Ben Solo
Ben Solo was the last of a line of Jedi begun by Sheev Palpatine. Ben was the grandson of Darth Vader, son of Leia Organa and Han Solo and student of Jedi, Luke Skywalker, before turning to the Dark Side and taking on the name Kylo Ren.
Young Ben was the subject of visions even before his birth, so powerful was he in the Force. The Emperor Palpatine influenced young Solo, even in the womb, mentally influencing him throughout his life. Solo was unaware of Sidious’ deception and, turning to the Dark Side after what he believed was Luke’s betrayal and attempt to murder him, took the name of Kylo Ren and fell under the sway of First Order Supreme Leader, Snoke. But Snoke was merely Palpatine’s creation, a puppet to control the First Order and, by extension, Kylo Ren.
Ren was instrumental in the purge of Force sensitives as he led the defense forces of the First Order. A part of an uneasy triumvirate with Admiral Hux and Stormtrooper Captain Phasma, Kylo Ren did his best to carry out the orders of Supreme Leader Snoke. Through a combination of terror and the super weapon, Starkiller Base, the First Order was able to murder millions across the galaxy.
Kylo Ren killed Ben Solo’s father, Han, and decimated the Resistance fleet before being distracted by the illusion of his uncle, Luke Skywalker, on the plant of Crait. Ren pursued the Force sensitive, Rey, first through Snoke’s instruction, but then, after disposing of Snoke, attempting to turn her to the Dark Side, following the Rule of Two.
Ren and Rey were, unknowingly, a dyad, two beings who shared a Force bond, a feature of Sith lore. Through the fulfillment of this prophecy, Kylo Ren and Rey were able to combine their powers to defeat Palpatine on Exegol, helping to end his ambitions once and for all.
5. Luke Skywalker
The Force sensitive son of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, and brother of Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker was raised on the desert world of Tatooine. Kept in the dark about his heritage by his Step-Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru, for safety’s sake, Luke lived a life of ignorance and boredom, although, secretly, watched over, from afar, by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.
After Princess Leia inadvertently brought the Galactic Empire to his doorstep, both of Luke’s surrogate parents were killed and he fled Tatooine with Kenobi, attempting to deliver a message to the Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic. Finding their destination destroyed, Luke and Obi-Wan, with the droids R2-D2 and C-3PO, and their hired spaceship, were captured by the Empire and brought aboard the Death Star, a planet destroying superweapon.
While attempting to escape the space station and rescue the Princess (conveniently held prisoner there), Obi-Wan allowed Darth Vader (also on board) to kill him within Luke’s sight, traumatizing the young farmboy. Obi-Wan would manifest to Luke several times over the next few years, instructing him in the ways of the Force and guiding him to the ancient Jedi Master, Yoda, at that time hidden on the swamp planet of Dagobah.
Luke would train for only a short time before a Force vision prompted him to leave Yoda’s instruction to help his friends whom he believed were in danger from Vader in the Bespin mining colony of Cloud City. Luke’s arrival in Cloud City did not help his friends, as their dilemma was nothing but a trap set by Vader to lure Skywalker to him, Vader having learned Luke’s true identity and relation to himself.
Luke’s encounter with Vader ended in disaster, Vader revealing his true self to Luke and alleviating the boy of his right hand. In his desperation, Luke used the Force to call out to Leia, who saved him from certain death.
Luke would use his Jedi powers in several rescue and guerilla operations for the Rebellion before encountering Vader again on the forest moon of Endor. Taking advantage of Luke’s belief in his father’s inherent goodness, Vader was able to capture him and take him before his master, The Galactic Emperor Palpatine. In the ensuing conflagration, both Palpatine and Vader were killed and Luke was able to escape and bear witness to a major Rebellion victory over the Empire.
Following the destruction of the Empire, Luke attempted to restore the Jedi Order by training a number of Force sensitive youth, his nephew Ben Solo among them. This new Jedi Order was destroyed when Luke misinterpreted what he felt were the stirrings of the Dark Side in young Ben Solo and contemplated murdering him to prevent wholesale destruction.
But Ben Solo had been manipulated by the, actually alive, Palpatine from beyond the Unknown Regions, and Luke’s mistake brought forth the very fruit he was trying to stop, sending Ben into the influence and clutches of First Order Supreme Leader Snoke, and, thus, setting into motion the deaths of countless millions.
Recognizing his failure, Skywalker abandoned his plans and exiled himself on Ahch-To, the birthplace of the Jedi Order, becoming a hermit and refusing to help stop everything he had started. It was here that, more than 10 years later, the Force sensitive, Rey, found him and tried to persuade him to help the newly formed Resistance against the First Order.
Luke refused, but consented to train Rey in the ways of the Force until, after glimpsing the extent of the Dark Side within her, he balked once again, afraid that what had happened to Ben would happen to her. Although reticent to help in any way, events conspired that would allow Skywalker to sacrifice himself in one, last Force projection, a delaying action that allowed the remains of the Resistance to escape the First Order’s clutches.
Luke would later return as a Force spirit to advise his spurned pupil, Rey, one last time and provide her with transportation to get somewhere.
4. Rey Skywalker
Rey Skywalker (nee Palpatine) is the biological granddaughter of Sheeve Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Sith lord and Galactic Emperor. Rey was hidden from Palpatine on the planet Jakku when she only a child. There she grew up alone, a scavenger, living off of what few credits or portions of food, she could get in trade.
Rey’s Force powers remained dormant until her encounter with Han Solo brought her to Takodonna, where, in the lower levels of pirate Maz Kanata’s castle, she discovered the old lightsaber of Luke Skywalker, lost in the duel on Cloud City. Contact with the sabre triggered a Force vision in Rey, Shaking her, but, also, awakening the Force within her.
Rey would later learn the ways of the Force from both Skywalker siblings, Luke and Leia, mastering many, previously unseen abilities, including using her life force to heal the wounded. As a part of a Force dyad with Kylo Ren, Rey was able to establish a Force bond with her dark counterpart and combine their powers, forming a “power of two” and giving Rey and Ren the power to confront Palpatine on the Sith planet of Exegol, in the Unknown Regions.
Although their joined power was not enough to defeat the Emperor, on the verge of death, Rey was able to summon the spirits of past Jedi to strengthen her for one final push, thus destroying the Emperor forever. As a result, all Jedi and all Sith live within her, and the Jedi prophecy of a Chosen One bringing balance to the Force was, finally, fulfilled.
3. Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Immaculately conceived by midi-chlorians, possibly manipulated by the Dark Lord of the Sith, Sheeve Palpatine (this is still in contention). Anakin Skywalker grew up fatherless, a slave of Hutts and Toydarians on Tatooine. Anakin displayed Force sensitivity at an early age, allowing him to participate in (and win) the super fast Podraces that were a part of Tatooine’s Bunta Eve Celebrations.
Anakin’s Force sensitivity was discovered by Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi while the two Jedi were waylaid on Tatooine, repairing their starship. They arranged the slave’s freedom and brought him before the Jedi Council, who reluctantly agreed to accept Anakin into their order. Anakin would be trained under the watchful eye of Kenobi, becoming his Padawan and his partner for nearly 10 years.
The Jedi Council and the Phantom Emperor, Palpatine, both recognized Anakin’s potential to be the “Chosen One”, a extremely powerful being from Jedi prophecy who would bring “balance to the Force”. As he grew up. Anakin began experiencing disturbing Force visions concerning the death and suffering of his mother, Shmi. With the accompaniment of Naboo Senator Padme Amidala, Anakin returned to Tatooine to save his mother, only to watch her die in his arms, which provoked a rage within him, leading him to slaughter an entire tribe of Tusken Raiders.
Rage was not Anakin’s only passion. He professed his love for the Senator, an attachment forbidden by the Jedi, leading to their surreptitious marriage and Padme’s pregnancy.
Distinguishing himself in the Clone Wars, Anakin, at the insistence of the Palpatine, executed the Sith apprentice, Count Dooku. New Force visions of the death of his wife and unborn children prompted Anakin to seek out the guidance of Palplatine, secretly the Sith Lord, Sidious. The Sith tempted Anakin with the power of life and death, using his emotional weakness to ease him over to the Dark Side.
At the moment of the Sith revelation to the Jedi, Anakin (now using the Sith name Darth Vader) led an assault of the Jedi temple, killing hundreds of Jedi and younglings. A final confrontation on Musafar resulted in the death of Padme and Vader’s dismemberment at the hands of his old Jedi Master, Obi-Wan. Now encased in life-saving cybernetic armor, Vader continued to operate as the Emperor’s right hand, carrying out his master’s every whim, murdering stray Jedi and leading the Empire’s assault forces against the nascent Rebellion.
It is in the fulfillment of these tasks that Vader discovered that his son, Luke Skywalker, was, in fact, alive, having survived Padme’s death during childbirth. Together, Vader and the Emperor plotted to turn Luke to the Dark Side. Vader impetus in this was to depose the Emperor by adhering to the Rule of Two, desiring to take Luke as his own apprentice. Vader was defeated above the forest moon of Endor by Luke, but not before saving the boy from the Emperor’s Force lightening and throwing the Dark Lord down a ventilation shaft.
Vader died in his son’s arms in a moment of weakness, believing himself beyond redemption. Luke mourned the death of his father, but considered it to be an act of spiritual victory.
Yoda was a long-lived, legendary Jedi Master, a leading member of the Jedi Council and original Master of Count Dooku. Outside of that relationship, Yoda trained all younglings in the Jedi basics (including the lightsaber) prior to their Master/Padawan assignments, making him one of the most influential Jedi ever.
Yoda was one of the few Jedi to sense that there was a disturbance in the Force, realizing that the Jedi had been blinded by their arrogance and position. Yoda initially refused to admit Anakin Skywalker into the Jedi Order because he sensed the darkness within him, despite a number of Jedi believing Anakin to be the Chosen One.
Yoda was instrumental in many of the Republic’s victories during the Clone Wars, as he led Clone troops against the Separatist droid armies, liberating entire planets and star systems.
Yoda’s continued unease during Sheeve Palpatine's rise through the ranks of the Galactic Senate was confirmed when the politician turned out to be a Dark Lord of the Sith, secret leader of the Separatists. After a tumultuous duel during which Palpatine got the better of him, Yoda went into hiding on the swamp planet of Dagobah, awaiting the return of the Jedi. Yoda offered his experience and training to the young acolyte, Luke Skywalker in the waning days of the Empire.
Following his death, the tiny Jedi Master later appeared as a Force spirit to Luke during the Resistance’s conflict against The First Order, and admitted that it was time for the Jedi to die.
1. Sheeve Palpatine, Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith
Sheeve Palpatine was born on the planet of Naboo. At some time in his past, he discovered his Force sensitivity, became apprentice to Darth Plagueis, and learned the ways of the Sith. After learning all he could from his master, including the manipulation of midi-chlorians and the secret to eternal life, the now christened Darth Sidious murdered his Master and took on a new apprentice, adhering to the Sith Rule of Two.
His Sith identity a secret, Palpatine used his political acumen to get elected to the Galactic Senate. While there, he began to manipulate the political process, eventually being appointed, first, Chancellor to the Republic, and, later, Emperor. All the while, Sidious covertly led the Separatist rebellion against the Republic, using a succession of apprentices including Darths Maul and Tyranus.
It was Palpatine who influenced the midi-chlorians that resulted in the birth of Anakin Skywalker, believed to be the Chosen One of Jedi prophecy. Sidous continued to manipulate Skywalker and events, leading to Skywalker’s turn to the Dark Side, his enlistment as Sidious’ apprentice, and the destruction of both the Jedi and the Republic.
Palpatine continued his iron-fisted reign over the Empire for more than twenty years, all the while secretly putting in place The Contingency, by which he could reform his forces, deep with the Unknown Regions, if anything ever went south.
Palpatine was an octogenarian when Skywalker’s (now Darth Vader) son, Luke, was revealed to be alive and a threat to his power. Palpatine coaxed Vader into hunting and capturing Luke (still fully aware of the ramifications of the Rule of Two), leading to a confrontation between the three on the second Death Star. And south things went, when Vader turned against the Emperor, attacking him to save his son. Following the destruction of the super weapon, Palpatine was believed to have been destroyed.
But Palpatine had survived, using dark Sith Magic, and, taking advantage of the Contingency, relocated to the Unknown Regions and his waiting legions of Sith Loyalists. There he plotted and planned for over thirty years, exerting influence over events and individuals in the New Republic when he could, inserting his own agents to plant the seeds of his return when he couldn’t.
It was from the Sith planet Exegol that Sidious sent the clone, Snoke, to revive the Sith and control the newly born First Order, formerly a military junta made up of ex-Imperials and malcontents. It was also from here that Sidious corrupted Kylo Ren, driving Darth Vader’s grandson to the Dark Side, and placing him in a position from which he could control the former Ben Solo and guide him to Exgol, whereupon his entire plan could be revealed.
That plan was to include the seduction of Palpatine’s very own grandchild, the Force sensitive scavenger Rey. Drawing her, through Kylo Ren, to himself, the Dark Lord attempted to use the two youths' Force dyad, and complete his resurrection. This evil plot backfired when Rey was able to gather the spirits of all former Jedi and deflect Palpatine’s own force against him, causing him to disintegrate.


“The Word of God is like a lion. You don’t have to defend a lion. All you have to do is let the lion loose, and the lion will defend itself.”― Charles Spurgeon
Be a lion for the Lamb!
Depth by Drama
Do you have a passion for reaching the world with the truth of the Word of God? Are you wanting to see transformation in others as well as in yourself? Explore this fascinating and in-depth instructional guide to find out how...
About Acting Out His Word Ministries
and its founder Michael W. Merker
Acting Out His Word Ministries is the latest incarnation of a work that was started in 1981 when Michael W. Merker, a professional theater worker in Chicago, became a Christian. He started forming and working with troupes of like-minded perrformers, and wrote and directed dramatic works to promote Bible literacy. After discovering the depth of discipleship such activities offer the performers, he started this ministry that others might embrace the vision: "Every ear to hear, every heart to hope!"


Ministers of What is Real
Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude
So sings Lord Amiens in Shakespeare's As You Like It. And while winter's winds have yet to harass most of otherwise sunny California, examples of man's
ingratitude are nowhere lacking. As winter draws near, the final liturgical season of the year, the Sanctification of the Church (or Hallowing of the
Church, as it has historically been known), begins this Sunday. A short four week season, its readings highlight the corporate work of God's people
in both offering worship to Him and in forming an interdependent body to care for their spiritual and physical needs.
Moses is told to build a Tabernacle
In our liturgical readings ( please see the November Calendar), this interdependent body first takes form among the Israelites. Our readings from Exodus
tell us how Moses and the people God chose and brought out of Egypt completed the "Dwelling Place" or Tabernacle, in the wilderness. The
Tabernacle was a movable "tent" filled with special objects; the Ark, the Lamp, and the Table of the Bread of Presence were kept in it.
Wherever it was, there God was. There God was to be encountered. There God was to be worshiped.
The Tabernacle was where the people were to gather around the presence of God. His presence was made evident by a pillar of smoke during the day and a
pillar of fire, giving light, at night. When God becomes present in a visible way to man it is called a "theophany." There are many theophanies
in the Old Testament. This is one of them. "For the cloud of the Lord was on the Tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the
eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey." (Ex 40:38, 1st Week) Regarding the cloud and the light form the fire, the Catechism
reminds us "These two images occur together in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In the theophanies of the Old Testament, the cloud, now obscure,
now luminous, reveals the living and saving God, while veiling the transcendence of his glory. (Paragraph 697)
So here we find God, the Deity Supreme, choosing one humble group of humanity, the Israelite slaves, to craft holy objects at his direction and make a holy
space to encounter God in worship. By worship we mean the very many forms of offerings God required, as well as the daily and weekly duties to him and in
care of his Tabernacle. That the LORD, creator of heaven and earth, chose to dwell in some way among his people is in itself a wonder. That he instructed
them through Moses to build and furnish a dwelling place for himself was a matter of establishing and maintaining a relationship with him. God told Moses,
"They shall make me a Sanctuary, and I will dwell among them. You must make the Tabernacle and all its furnishings following the plan that I am showing you." (Exodus 25:8-9) In Weeks 2, 3 and 4 of this season, St Paul alludes to this several times.
The Tabernacle and the Church
What this has to do with the Church is everything. St Paul shows us from Hebrews how the building and furnishings of the Tabernacle was a sign of something
yet to come, a heavenly reality that will be made manifest in the Church. He interprets the Exodus story in both the literal sense and in a spiritual one.
St Paul calls these a "sketch" or "shadow" in English translation, "(they) offer worship in a sanctuary that is a sketch and shadow
of the heavenly one." (Heb 8:5, Week 2) The term used in theology for such sign is "type" and the thing it is a sign of, the reality, is
called an "antitype." The antitype is "What is Real," the type - a mere shadow of it.
The distinction between "type" and "antitype" is one of the foremost ways the interpreters of the Church of the East heritage understand
Scripture. It is called "Typology." The Catechism has this to say about it; "The Church, as early as apostolic times, and then constantly in
her Tradition, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through typology, which discerns in God's works of the Old Covenant
prefigurations of what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate Son." (Paragraph 128)
Speaking of ways of interpreting the Scriptures, the Catechism says
"Thanks to the unity of God's plan, not only the text of Scripture but also the realities and events about which it speaks can be signs.
1. The allegorical sense. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the
Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian Baptism.
2. The moral sense. The events reported in Scripture ought to lead us to act justly. As St. Paul says, they were written "for our instruction".
3. The anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view realities and events in terms of their eternal significance, leading us toward our true
homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem." (Paragraph 117)
Ah! Now we can see that the Tabernacle plan was a sign of the heavenly dwelling of God. We shouldn't think that he somehow needed comfortable and familiar
settings for his visitation on Earth - that is not appropriate. Instead, we should find that in the multitude of his graces, he permitted humanity to have
some understanding, a glimpse, a foretaste, of the heavenly realm he dwells in and calls us to. The seed of the concept of the Church is planted.
The Eucharist Prefigured
Tradition teaches that Moses saw a heavenly vision of how the Tabernacle and its furnishings were to be during his forty day stay on Mount Sinai. The Bread
of the Presence has always been interpreted as a sign of the Eucharist by the Church Fathers. It was only to be consumed after being before the LORD for a
week and only by the priests, however David once compelled a priest to give him some. In a similar manner, the prophet Isaiah was shown a vision of heaven.
In our reading from Isaiah 6 this week, Isaiah sees the LORD sitting on a throne in the heavenly Temple, the antitype of Moses' Tabernacle. At one point an
angelic being called a seraph flies over to Isaiah with a burning, or "live" coal taken from "the Altar." He dares not touch it,
but brings it to Isaiah with "tongs." This coal he touches to Isaiah lips, thus purifying him and preparing him for his mission of prophesying.
This is a particularly important Scripture in our Church - so much so that we read it three times a year! Why is it so important? Again, the coal is a type,
a sign, of the Eucharist. By it, debts are pardon and sins are forgiven because it is the body of Christ. Our sister Churches the Byzantines, the Coptic and
the Jacobite Syrian all share this same rich understanding, yet it is in our Church that it is most emphasized. Here are examples from our liturgy:
"The live coal which the prophet saw the angel held with tongs, and now priests within the Sanctuary bear it upon their hands."
Anthem of the Mysteries for the Feast of Nativity
"To you, O my Lord, all flesh shall come, for you grant pardon for the debts of all. May the bodies which sin has defiled be cleansed with your hyssop.
Come, O mortals, bearers of burdens, lay aside the burden of your debts. Receive from the Altar the live coal which absolved the Prophet, and be pardoned."
Anthem of the Chancel, Tuesday of the Rogation of the Ninevites
"The nations longed to receive in faith the gift of the Mysteries which are set before us: the Body which is broken for our salvation, and the Blood of
the Covenant which is shed for us. This is the life-giving coal which touched the prophet, who was absolved of his debts and sins by it."
Anthem of the Bema, Feast of Hosannas
"With purity of conscience and with clean thoughts let us approach the live coal which was given in mercies for pardon and for a pledge of new life."
Anthem of the Bema, Fifth Sunday of the Resurrection
"Come, let us all draw near to the Body and Blood of Christ in fear and trembling, and in love let us receive him and sing praise. For the same was
shown to Isaiah the Prophet mystically. A spiritual one gave him a live coal and his debts were pardoned."
Anthem of the Bema, Third Sunday of the Apostles
So this Sunday as we receive live coal, the pardon of our debts, the gift of immortality from the Altar, let us be mindful that the Father prepared this
remedy for our faults and portrayed his plan of salvation long before the coming of the Son because of his love for you and for me. And in gratitude,
let us receive it.
Ministers of What is Real
The title of this series is taken from the Holy Synod of Mar Ishu'yab held in the year 587. Lets begin with this reading from the Synod of the Fifth Canon,
translated by Chorbishop Michael Birnie of Seattle.
It is permitted to speak with confidence, through the faculty we have received from the symbols and types of the ecclesiastical ministry. From them it
is possible to say confidently, for example, that the priests, the ministers of the Altar, bear the likeness and image of our Lord and that the deacons,
the ministers of the Church, bear the likeness and image of the angels on high as servants of the true High Priest. For priests are appointed in the
service of their priesthood as propitiators of God, absolvers of the people and obedient teachers, and by these three perfect things they fulfill the
law of their priesthood, as was said by the mediator of the Old Covenant concerning the priests who were ministers of shadowy things - but is especially
appropriate for the priests who are ministers of what is sure - "They shall offer incense according to your wrath and satisfaction upon your Altar.
They shall teach your judgments to Jacob and Your laws to Israel."
In these three ways of ministry the Law-Giver revealed how great the priestly rank is. When wrath is stirred up, it is abated by the fragrance of their
prayers. When the people sin, the people are absolved by the satisfaction of their sacrifices. When teaching is required, their mind overflows and and their
tongues conveys the wisdom of the Giver of laws.
Perhaps the first thing we notice about this canon is the contrast of the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. The Old Covenant priests "were ministers
of shadowy things" while those of the New Covenant in Christ are "the priests who are ministers of what is sure" or "real." Again,
we find the type in the Old Covenant and its fulfillment, the antitype, in the New.
"Symbols and Types of the Ecclesiastical Ministry"
The canon also contrasts the ministry of deacons and the priesthood, which in this usage includes bishops as well. The canon call deacons "the
ministers of the Church," who " bear the likeness and image of the angels on high as servants of the true High Priest." The awesome image that
is invoked is that of a heavenly scene with angels ministering to the Messiah as he offers himself to the Father for the totality of humanity! This is
expressed by Mar Narsai, who said the deacons bear the image "of the angels who ministered to the Passion of the Son. He was served by angels at the
time of his Passion and the deacons are honoring his body, which is suffering mystically." (Commentary on the Offices, Chap. 25)
How is it that deacons can be said to bear the likeness and image of the angels? It is in their assistance at the Altar in the celebration of the the
divine Mysteries. Through their ordination they receive a special grace and a "talent" to perform this ministry. The Catechism tells us "
Deacons share in Christ's mission and grace in a special way. The sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ("character") which cannot be removed
and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the "deacon" or servant of all. Among other tasks, it is the task of deacons to assist the
priests in the celebration of the divine mysteries, above all the Eucharist, in the distribution of Holy Communion, in assisting at and blessing marriages,
in the proclamation of the Gospel and preaching, in presiding over funerals, and in dedicating themselves to the various ministries of charity."
With this in mind, let be supportive of those considering the vocation of being a deacon. The office of the diaconate, as it is known, is a great blessing
to the Church and those so called are worthy of honor and respect.
"Servants of the true High Priest"
There is a great truth hidden in the few words, "servants of the true High Priest." Although there are many priests in every Church, several
hundreds of thousands alive today, in truth there is only one priest and that is Jesus himself. All churches' priesthoods, our bishops' priesthoods.
the Pope's priesthood - these are only a sharing and participation in the priesthood of Christ. The Catechism address Jesus as "the one priest of
the new and eternal Covenant, "entered, not into a sanctuary made by human hands . . . but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on
our behalf" (Heb 9:24). There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he "always lives to make intercession" for "those who draw near to God
through him" (Heb 7:25). As "high priest of the good things to come" he is the center and the principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father
in heaven (Heb 9:11; cf. Rev 4:6-11)." (Paragraph 662)
From Melchizadek the priest king-priest of Salem to the Temple priests of Jesus' day the priesthood was a type of Christ's true priesthood. Once his
priesthood is established there is no need for further "symbols and types." Instead, his priesthood is carried on through those men ordained
in the sacrament of Holy Orders, as we previously spoke of the deacons. "The redemptive sacrifice of Christ is unique, accomplished once for all;
yet it is made present in the Eucharistic sacrifice of the Church. The same is true of the one priesthood of Christ; it is made present through the
ministerial priesthood without diminishing the uniqueness of Christ's priesthood: "Only Christ is the true priest, the others being only his ministers."
(The Catechism, Paragraph 1554)
"Propitiators of God"
Propitiation is a difficult word, but not as difficult as the act. It means to appease, to placate, to make amends and to satisfy someone, usually God.
Priests are called "Propitiators of God" not because of their works or offerings, but because of the one true priest, Jesus the Messiah,
who alone could appease God and in whose priesthood they share, as we said above.
Being "Propitiators of God" is one of the three aspects of service priests perform in the Church. It is proper to consider it first,
because without it the other two, absolution and teaching, would not come about.
The Cause of Christ
Understanding the priestly service of propitiation is understanding the the cause of the coming of Christ into his own creation, the world.
The Third Consecration prayer of the Church of the East, attributed to Nestorius, says, "You brought us into being from nothing, and fashioned us,
but when we had stumbled, fallen and wasted away, you renewed us again, raised us up and redeemed us." God, who created humanity to love and cherish,
was rightly angry with humanity, namely Adam and Eve, for bringing into his perfect creation sin, disobedience and death. By their sins, Adam and Eve
tainted all creation.
We all know the story of Adam and Eve. We read it in our First Thursday of the Great Fast liturgy - most appropriate, as it is the reason for the
crucifixion of Christ we will soon observe. It is found in the third chapter of Genesis. But it is to the effects of the disobedience we need to draw
our attention. The effects were that "The harmony in which they had found themselves, thanks to original justice, is now destroyed: the control of the
soul's spiritual faculties over the body is shattered; the union of man and woman becomes subject to tensions, their relations henceforth marked by lust
and domination. Harmony with creation is broken: visible creation has become alien and hostile to man. Because of man, creation is now subject "to its
bondage to decay." Finally, the consequence explicitly foretold for this disobedience will come true: man will "return to the ground," for out of it he
was taken. Death makes its entrance into human history." (The Catechism, Paragraph 400)
While man's disobedience and sin have separated him from God, still God reaches out to man, ever wishing to reconcile with him. The Catechism recalls
the rest of the story... "After his fall, man was not abandoned by God. On the contrary, God calls him and in a mysterious way heralds the coming
victory over evil and his restoration from his fall. This passage in Genesis is called the Protoevangelium ("first gospel"): the first announcement of
the Messiah and Redeemer, of a battle between the serpent and the Woman, and of the final victory of a descendant of hers."
The Faith teaches us that God is all-knowing, so this disobedience of Adam and Eve, resulting in tainting of all creation, must not have surprised God.
Here in the beginning of the first book of the Bible God announces a way to restore mankind, the coming of the Messiah. The Cause of Christ's coming was
to reconcile not just man to God, but all of creation to the Creator.
A Matter of Means
How Propitiation was Attained
Interesting, that this same thought, the coming of the Messiah to restore and reconcile man to God, is echoed in the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
In his vision of heaven St John sees "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." All the countless sacrifices of doves, sheep, goats,
calves and bulls in the Old testament were mere "shadows, symbols and types" of the one sacrifice planned from the beginning and made present
in time and space with the death of the Messiah. "For if the blood of goats and bulls, with the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer, sanctifies those
who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without
blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!" (Hebrews 9, week 2)
"Thus it was necessary," writes St Paul in our reading from Hebrews for Week 3, "for the sketches of the heavenly things to be purified with
but the heavenly things themselves need better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one,
but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest
enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the
world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself."
So, Christ is both the priest who offers the sacrifice and the sacrifice himself! Only one so perfect and pure, one without sin, could be a sacrifice
that would appease and satisfy God. "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world" as John the Forerunner said of Jesus and we
recite in our second Consecration prayer attributed to Theodore.
The Holy Offering, the Act of Propitiation
The Holy Offering, also know as "The Divine Liturgy" by most Eastern Catholics and Orthodox and as "The Mass" in the Western Church, is
so much more than
simply the Catholic way of worship. Although the various churches have different liturgies, there is only one Offering being made by each, that of Christ
on the Cross. All that is left is the duty of the Church on earth to continue re-presenting to the Father this "Memorial of the Body and Blood of your
Messiah, which we offer to you on your pure and holy Altar, as you taught us." (Addai and Mari)
Again, the Catechism teaches us that the Holy Offering is also called "The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the
Savior and includes the Church's offering. The terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, "sacrifice of praise," spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice
are also used, since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant."
It is also called "The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the Church's whole liturgy finds its center and most intense expression in the celebration
of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call its celebration the Sacred Mysteries. We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it is the
Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle are designated by this same name. " (Paragraph 1330)
At this point, it's good for us to look at why we "worship" the way we do. In a world in which even religion has become consumer oriented, the
and Orthodox style liturgical worship service has found itself in sharp contrast to many modern denominations and fellowships. What is popular today is
a religious service that really doesn't wish to be thought of as a "church service." These service vary considerably, but the main emphasis is
individual's experience. Seats, not pews, bands, not altars and praise leaders, not priests lead the people in beautiful inspiring songs concluding in
a euphoria not unlike the end of a concert.
In contrast, our worship is a reflective and contrite re-presentation of the Lord Jesus' offering of his own body at Calvary where we humbly stand at
the foot of the Cross with Mother Mary and blessed John. What makes our worship "perfect" is not our music nor how we "feel" during the
but rather our perfection is this; only Jesus was the perfect man, only Jesus was the perfect offering for our sins and only Jesus offered perfect
worship. The Catechism reminds us "The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate
divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery"
is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]," for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example
so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries.
This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.
" (Paragraph 618)
Father Dimitri Grekoff
St Barnabas the Apostle Parish


I grew up near Swindon, a humble town about 120km west of London in the UK. Actually, I grew up in Wroughton, a village just out of Swindon but when you live on the other side of the world – as I have since the early 1980s – and people ask what part of England you’re from you say Swindon. (If that draws a blank you zoom out a bit and go for “sort of near Stonehenge”).
Even as a child I suspected there was something fairly unspectacular about Swindon. I don’t mean that in a nasty way – I just knew it didn’t have the exoticism or historical monuments or tourist drawcards of other parts of the world. For example, for a long time the most interesting things I knew about it were
- The town’s most favoured son is19th century engineer and railway man Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Isambard was important enough to have the shopping centre named after him.
- There is a crazy ‘multiple roundabouts’ roundabout in Swindon that locals call The Magic Roundabout. Family lore has it that my Nanna used to take the long way around town to avoid it. It was apparently voted ‘the fourth scariest junction in Britain’ in 2009 (putting it’s tagline in the same class as The Flight of the Conchords’ ‘fourth most popular folk duo’).
- Kind of well-know 50s and 60s actress Diana Dors was from Swindon
- Something crazy and complicated happened with Swindon Town Football Club in the 1990s that saw them move up and down the divisions in the league.
In recent years however this has all changed. It seems that no matter where I look in popular culture Swindon’s there, giving me a “and you thought I wasn’t cool” kind of glance.
One: The Office
It started with comic masterpiece The Office. In the Season One veiled references were made to the Swindon branch. In Season Two the branches are merged and the Swindoners become part of the team. Neil Godwin who becomes David Brent’s superior is heaps cooler than Brent. (That’s Swindon blood for you).
Two: Jasper Fforde and Thursday Next
Not long after this I started reading Jasper Fforde’s Thursday Next series of novels. For those who are unfamiliar the five six novel series (The Eyre Affair, Lost in a Good Book, The Well of Lost Plots, Something Rotten and First Among Sequels and One of Our Thursdays is Missing) are a bizarre mix of comedy and fantasy peppered with literary and other high- and low-culture references. They’re set in an alternate history version of today’s world. No prizes for guessing where most of the action takes place – the books are full of locations in and around the big S. Like Fforde’s books his website thursdaynext.com is a world unto itself, and includes a section called The Seven Wonders of Swindon.
Three: The Curious Incident
My third random brush with Swindon in an unexpected context – and the inspiration for me writing this post – came when I read Mark Haddon’s excellent 2003 novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time a few weeks back. Yep, set in Swindon. In a pop will eat itself bonus the main character Christopher even discusses another literary reference to Swindon to add to the list – in Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Boscombe Valley Mystery Sherlock Holmes lunches in Swindon.
Where it all happens.


The ending vision of Amanda Gorman’s poem read at President Biden’s inauguration:
…We will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.
We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the West.
We will rise from the windswept Northeast where our forefathers first realized revolution.
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.
We will rise from the sunbaked South.
We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover in every known nook of our nation
And every corner called our country.
Our people diverse and beautiful will emerge battered and beautiful.
When day comes, we step out of the shade aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it,
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it,
If only we’re brave enough to be it.


Lauren is Assistant Professor of English at Ryerson University in Toronto. She teaches a variety of courses, including ENG505, ENG517, and ENG306. Her courses encourage students to find and use their unique voices as writers, hone a range of writing skills, and read and edit like writers. Week by week, her lectures break the writing process down into manageable parts to help students discover how to write bold and compelling fiction. Many of her students say they have completed her courses stronger writers and readers, with a tried and tested writing practice of their own.
Lauren’s courses are interactive and include a balance of writing practice and theory. In her courses, students can expect to learn theories of fiction writing (what authors have said about their process and motivation); explore the fundamentals of process (free writing and more); study and apply techniques of the fiction writing craft (including characterization, scene, dialogue); and learn how to polish work through three stages of editing.
We’ll also learn how to read as writers. Through close readings and discussions, we’ll dissect stories and pay careful attention to how they are constructed, considering issues like plot, themes, language, narrative mode, and much, much more.
Finally, throughout the course we’ll read fiction from a range of authors including Lucia Berlin, Raymond Carver, Amy Hempel, Maya Angelou, James Joyce, Anton Chekhov, and Grace Paley. We’ll also read poetry and selections from graphic novels.
Want to see a syllabus? Two are available below. You can contact Lauren here.
Lauren’s passion for writing is inspiring! She gave our class a great balance of creative freedom and guidance. This is a class that has allowed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect.
This has been the best class I’ve taken at Ryerson in three years. Lauren is passionate, knowledgeable, and witty, a combination that makes me excited to come to class every week.
Lauren is perhaps the most enthusiastic and devoted professor I have ever had. This course was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in creative writing.
Lauren’s course, hands down, is the best course I’ve taken at Ryerson. I’ve been watching myself improve and learn as a writer. I highly recommend this course to anyone.
We all need honest encouragement and honest critique – Lauren is able to give both without ballooning or shredding the ego. I learned a great deal about the writer's craft from Lauren.
Enthusiastic, encouraging and engaging, it has been a delight to go down to Ryerson on Wednesday nights to participate in her class.
Hailed by The Toronto Star as a groundbreaking program, Sister Writes is now in its seventh year.
Lauren is the Founding Program Director of Sister Writes, Toronto’s first creative writing program for women marginalized by factors such as poverty, underhousing, mental health issues, and social isolation. Taught by professional women writers, and hailed by The Toronto Star as a groundbreaking arts program, Sister Writes offers workshops, mentorship, public arts events, exhibitions, and literary magazines devoted to sharing with the community vital stories about women’s lives.
As an arts educator, Lauren has designed and facilitated over 300 community workshops and worked with writers from age 8 to 93 in schools, hospitals, libraries, activist collectives, long-term care homes, women’s shelters, and in a first nations community. She has presented programming for organizations including Harbourfront Centre, Luminato Festival of Arts + Creativity, and The Toronto Public Library. Her Young Authors Project, a co-creative writing and publishing program for youth, was a finalist for Ontario Government Minister’s Award for Innovation in Arts.
Lauren is especially focused on creating writing programming that breaks down barriers to participation in the arts. She has run a poetry salon for women inpatients at The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, mentored emerging writers through the Diaspora Dialogues Youth Program, and served as Canada Council Writer-in-Residence in a 1902 Carnegie library in southwestern Ontario.
Her Generations of Writers Project was an intergenerational digital oral history program that put seniors and teens into collaboration. Sister Writes on the Road, her newest program, will culminate in an interactive digital exhibition, a literary magazine, and a public oral history archive.
Her programs have won the support of The Toronto Arts Council, The Ontario Council, The Ontario Trillium Foundation, and The Canada Council for the Arts.
For information on community arts workshops, get in touch with Lauren through the contact page.
- Toronto Star on Sister Writes
- Huffington Post on Sister Writes
- Ryerson Today on Sister Writes
- Liberty Gleaner on Sister Writes
- Paris Star on Young Authors Project
- Shameless on Sister Writes
- Toronto Star.com on Sister Writes
- Brantford Expositor on Young Authors Project
- CrossCurrents on Sister Writes
- University of Toronto Varsity on Sister Writes
- Paris Star on Generations of Writers
- Toronto Observer on Sister Writes
- Toronto.com on Sister Writes
- Brantford Expositor on Generations of Writers


Chenega Diaries: Stories and Voices of Our Past
Chenega Diaries: Stories and Voices of Our Past: This compelling book and documentary DVD tells the story of the life and times of the Chenega People circa the late 1940s. Using the children’s diary entries, archived correspondence and over 350 photographs, daily life in the Chenega Village during that time comes alive! Stories, myths, memories, recipes, and more from Chenega Elders were collected and added to the book, documentary, and website: ChenegaDiaries.com as they recollect their memories of that time. With this project, we also branched out into the community, sharing this publication package with teachers and administrators at the Chugach School District and statewide through the Alaska State Library System, sharing the Chenega story far and wide. Please note: The Chenega Diaries DVD plays best on a DVD player and may not work on all computers.


Holiday Gift Guide: Books for CAT LOVERS
Holiday gifts should, of course, be thoughtful. They can also be practical - both for the sender and the recipient. For this reason, I highly recommend books for the holidays. I personally wish I read more and don't always prioritize book purchases in my budget. When in doubt, you can always get a pet lover a gift card to a local or online bookstore, that way they can decide what they want to read in 2023.
Following are some of my book recommendations for pet lovers specifically. I'm sure there are a ton of awesome books and excellent authors we can all support this holiday season. Keep in mind, however, that when you purchase used books online, the author doesn't make a cut. They only earn from the sale of new books, therefore, consider purchasing new books as gifts both because they are usually in much better shape and because the authors will appreciate it.
To ensure shipping on time, get your online orders in soon. And, if something is so popular that it's currently sold out, don't fret, they'll print more in a jiffy. Place your order and let your friend know that a pawsome gift is on the way, wink, wink.
As a bonus, if you click on the authors' names in this blog, you'll be linked to a fascinating interview they've done either on my channel or one of my other favorite podcasts. Enjoy!
Finally, please note that many of the links below are affiliate links. They do not cost you anything to use but help me support my YouTube channel and brand. Thank you!
Books for Cat Lovers
Books for New Cat Parents
I apologize in advance but you're about to see this name more than once because Pam Johnson-Bennett wrote the book on cat behavior. She's one of the most well-respected cat behavior experts in the US. And, her books are immensely helpful to new cat parents and veteran cat lovers alike. To start, I love her book, Think Like a Cat: How to Raise a Well-Adjusted Cat, Not a Sourpuss.
Johnson-Bennett's book, Cat Wise, also makes an excellent gift for those that have had cats for a while but still have questions about their behavior. Because cats often display behaviors that humans confuse or misunderstand, deciphering their behavior with the help of a true expert in the field is sure to help troubleshoot some challenges your friends and loved ones may be experiencing with their beloved kitties and cats. A Q&A of sorts, this book would pair very nicely with the above-mentioned book if you're thinking of gifting more than one book to the same recipient this holiday season.
The Lion in The Living Room by Abigail Tucker is another awesome book for those that are mildly obsessed with their cats and want to learn more about them and their wild side. From their history, fascinating domestication, and more, your cat-crazy friends will love this read. Plus, it will give them a better understanding of the lion that lives in their living room, which is one of the most beneficial parts of learning about our pets.
Books for Growing Cat Families
For those that recently added or are planning to add cats to the family in 2023, Pam Johnson-Bennett's Cat vs. Cat is a fantastic guide to welcoming new cats to the family and troubleshooting failed attempts. Most cat experts know that cat dynamics are very complex, more so than most cat lovers realize. This book is a great addition to any cat lover's library, but it can change the lives of those navigating cat vs. cat drama at home.
Families with kids that can read or read with their caregivers will love Arden Moore's A Kid's Guide to Cats. In this book, Arden outlines ways that kids can care for, play with, and bond with their fascinating pet cat. I highly recommend you get this for your/loved ones' kids BEFORE you/they bring any cats home. She also has A Kid's Guide to Dogs that would make an excellent gift for dog-loving families. Both together would be awesome for a multi-species household!
Books for Cat People That Love Pizza
Trans Author, Aitch Alexander, loves cats and pizza. In his book, My Body is a Junkyard, Aitch chronicles his story in poems and some prose. His light-hearted yet poignant writings include a poem about cats, which he read on my show. If you or your loved one are into discovering new authors that share a love of cats, you're going to love this glimpse into the author's life and favorite pizza.
Books that I Haven't Yet Discovered
If you have suggestions for books I haven't included, please message me on Instagram or Facebook. I'd love to hear about your favorite books for cat people. I am always learning about and discovering authors. The pet industry is full of wonderful, knowledgeable pros. I know of many of them, but I'm constantly being introduced to new ones.
I hope this list helps you choose a gift for any and all cat lovers in your life. While you're at it, grab one for yourself. The more you learn about your cat, the more you will connect with them. Cats are truly fascinating creatures, often misunderstood, and there are many ways in which we can enrich our cats' lives every day. Don't miss your opportunity to help your cat live their life to the fullest.
Here's wishing you (and your feline family and friends) a very happy holiday season and all the best in 2023!!! Meow! <3


You can find below the scripts developed in my research projects.
IP3R-dependant Ca2+ signaling in fine astrocytic processes
- ODEs: deterministic, well-mixed implementation of the model with XPPAUT software
- Gillespie: stochastic, well-mixed implementation of the model in Python
- Particle-based: stochastic, spatial, in 2 spatial dimensions, implemented in C language
- Voxel-based: stochastic, spatial, in 3 spatial dimensions, implented in python, using STEPS software
Simulations in idealistic 3D geometries of fine processes based on recent super-resolution microscopy data
Simulations published in Denizot et al., bioRxiv, 2021. Reaction-diffusion simulations were performed in 3D meshes that were designed from the latest data available from super-resolution microscopy on astrocytes from Arizono et al., Nature Communications, 2020. The high spatial resolution of this model allows to propose plausible mechanisms by which astrocyte morphology at the nanoscale, notably shaft width, can influence local calcium dynamics and thus affect specialized neuron-astrocyte communication. The simulation code and 3D meshes designed in this study can be downloaded here.
Analysis of geometrical properties of 3D meshes
Generation of realistic perisynaptic astrocytic processes meshes with various endoplasmic reticulum distributions and constant shape
Scripts implemented in python to generate 3D meshes of perisynaptic astrocytic processes with various ER distributions and constant shape using Blender software. The code and resulting meshes are available here and were used in Denizot et al., bioRxiv, 2022.


Director : Sylvia Caminer
Producer : Sylvia Caminer, Tracy Schott, Jennifer Storm
Writer : Tracy Schott, Jennifer Storm
Starring : Jennifer Storm
Based on the Award-Winning book -- 2008 Hazelden Publishing
A riveting memoir of what happens to a teenage girl whose life is awash in alcohol, drugs, and the trauma of rape.
“A common story. A rare twist. When the American Dream becomes her secret nightmare, quietly Jennifer Storm begins the dark descent into addiction. Then she discovers that the same events that destroy her, also create her. Written in a humble, raw voice, Jennifer Storm helps us remember where we came from–and why. ‘Blackout Girl’ brings us one step closer to forgiving ourselves for something we didn’t do.”
Melody Beattie, author of “Codependent No More,” “The Grief Club,” and other best sellers.
“Blackout Girl is a little more than 200 pages of nearly non-stop intensity….”
Bismark Tribune Review
“Blackout Girl by Jennifer Storm is an enlightening story of her life. She explains how recreational drugs and alcohol turn into a way of living; making death a more peaceful solution. This is a great book for anyone facing a similar situation. Through recovery programs along with the fellowship you realize you are not alone. This book gives you the tools needed to make healthy choices and lead a wonderful life.”
Marlena Marchesi, Heavenly Wood Works, Inc.
“An extremely honest and provocative book, Jennifer Storm’s Black Out Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America validates the lives and struggles of recovering addicts in living ‘one day at a time.’ Storm’s book will be an inspiration and a means of support for people trying to reclaim their lives from the disease of addiction. Jenn has taken her own demons and laid them to bare for others to know that they are not alone in their struggle.”
Sue Rankin, Pennsylvania State University
“Like a high-speed train racing uncontrollably down its track, first-time author Jennifer Storm takes her readers on a fast-paced journey through the dark and tremulous world of drug and alcohol addiction. Witty, moving, sometimes terrifying, and always poignant, Ms. Storm’s memoir is told in glinting chapters that eerily reflect the blackouts that so frequented her adolescence. Written in strong, unembellished prose, Blackout Girl is skillfully gripping and ironically addicting; readers won’t be able to tear themselves away from Ms. Storm’s journey from a 12 year old rape victim, to a burned out junkie living from friend’s couch to friend’s couch, to her compelling and tearful recovery at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Storm’s insight into the drug culture of America as well as her talent for exploring her flaws and imperfections make Blackout Girl an encouraging yet haunting experience for readers from all walks of life.”
Blackout Girl was selected by the PA Librarian Association as a Top Ten Must Read for 2008.
Click Here for more info about the movie.
Copyright © 2023. DolGer|films All rights reserved.


There is an old Jewish folktale that goes like this: when a young boy is born, his grandfather, a tailor, makes him a baby blanket. As the boy grows older, the blanket tears and his grandfather fashions it into a coat. When the sleeves become tattered, he turns it into a vest. And when that rips, it becomes a hat. And then a handkerchief. And so on and so forth until it becomes a button, which the boy, now a young man, loses. The grandfather is devastated — he cannot turn nothing into something for his grandson. But then the grandson turns it into a story.


There exists a magical word in Welsh folklore: Caerdroia. The literal translation of this idiom into modern English is roughly equivalent to “Castle of Turns,” although we may find a more familiar and congruous synonym in the word labyrinth. Labyrinths can be thought of as symbolic forms of pilgrimage; people can walk the path, ascending towards salvation or enlightenment. This spiritual awakening is manifest in a more practical and corporeal sense, as well. By walking amongst the turnings, the user of the labyrinth loses track of direction and of the outside world, and thus quiets the mind. The result is a relaxed mental attitude, free of internal dialog. This is a form of meditation. One need not travel outwardly to holy sites and far away lands for understanding, as the use of labyrinths supplant that need.
By its design, the Zohar is such a labyrinth. It is a mystic garden of living statues, breathing fountains, and rich foundations that support a veritable cornucopia of myth and interpretation. The rhizomatic structure of the Sefirot weaves along its soft walls like a web of ancient vines. These are the holy veins of the Zohar, which keep the text alive with the constant gush and flow of divine light. This light pours out in prismatic splendor for all of those who have learned the secrets of the maze, and may navigate freely through her ornate arches and mirrored halls. The Zohar is full of hidden passages, each one an enigmatic tableau laced with subtle paradoxes and complex meanings. In order to reveal these latent paradigms and hidden networks of understanding, it becomes necessary to focus the attention to a specific passage of the Zohar, Manna and Wisdom.
A passage of the Zohar is like a flower in bloom; each portion, an interpretive amplification of the Torah, much like the Midrash. Manna and Wisdom is a beautiful poem and an enigmatic reflection on an excerpt from Exodus (Verse 16:4, 9-10, 13-15) that depicts the miraculous event wherein YHVH proclaims to Moses that he will deliver to the wandering Israelites “bread from heaven.” The term “manna” does not appear anywhere in the Zohar passage, but as Daniel Chanan Matt insightfully reveals, it is a clever pun derived from the Hebrew phrase “what is it?” (or man hu in Hebrew), which also translates to “it is manna.” The excerpt from Exodus is an intriguing base for the Zohar to blossom, although certain lines are still a mystery and left unrendered by the mystical Zohar. Specifically, the line “That evening, the quail rose and covered the camp” is a gross vagueness. Are the quail messengers from God? Are they a blessing? A miracle? A hidden Sefirot? This foul remains a mystery.
The Sefirot are exposed from the biblical passage by the filtrating lens of the Zohar. The path of the holy bread is traced down the Tree of Life in the following lines:
Every single day, dew trickles down / from the Holy Ancient One to the Impatient One, / and the Orchard of Holy Apple Trees is blessed.
The Holy Ancient One in this verse is a reference to Keter, the crown and the first Sefirot. It is from Keter that the spiritual dew is first differentiated from Ein Sof, the infinite Godhead. The Impatient One, explains Matt, is an allusion to the eight lower Sefirot from Hokhmah to Yesod. The Orchard of Holy Apple Trees implies the Shekhinah drawing divine substance from Hesed to Yesod who populate her orchard. The imagery stresses the need for students of mysticism to study the Sefirot and the dynamic path that leads life from the unknowable Ein Sof down to the Presence of Shekhinah. The manna was made available to the Israelites through (or at least strengthened by) their connection to Yesod or the “Holy King” by circumcision. This covenant with God secured Israel’s tie to divine gifts and protection. The mazzah that the Children of Israel ate when first entering the desert symbolizes their communion with Shekhinah. In fact, the Zohar interprets the entire journey from Egypt to Sinai as direct metaphor for the “spiritual journey into the divine realm.” This type of structured symbolism is typical of the Zohar and typified specifically by this verse. It illustrates the Zohar’s purpose as a mystical tool that aids in the understanding of the Ten Sefirot and their connection to all things (but especially to Jewish history and mythology). The word “Heaven” is used several times in explaining the divine realm that is the source of manna. “Heaven” is linked with Tif’eret, the bridegroom of Shekhinah. The last major Sefirot touched upon in the passage is partnered with Manna in the very title of this reading, it is “Wisdom” or Hokhmah. This is the highest Sefirot and spiritual union with Hokhmah is one of the greatest goals of the mystic. It is at the single point of Hokhmah that the Torah was derived and it only with Hokhmah that one arrives at the source of revelation.
The insights that make Manna and Wisdom a truly unique passage are its exclusive discussion between Rabbi Shim’on and Rabbi El’azar on the nature of “angel bread” and other gradients of divine sustenance, and the relationship between these delicious sacraments and the mysterious Comrades. The latter being a term for the disciples of R. Shim’on and the mystic followers of the Zohar. R. Shim’on remarks, that while mazzah and “angel bread” (or manna) were given to the wandering Israelites by Shekhinah and Tif’eret, respectively, “Comrades engaging the Torah are nourished from an even higher sphere.” This sphere is Wisdom or Hokhmah. The Comrades are granted this diet as their close understanding and appreciation of the Torah, brings them closer to the sphere from which the Torah was forged: Wisdom. R. El’azar counters with a query that examines the discrepancy between the Comrades supposed spiritual power and their physical weakness. R. Shim’on carefully explains that food from that high a sphere is too fine a substance to be detected on the physical planes of existence, and is manifest only in the realms of spirit and soul-breath. “Happy is the body that can nourish itself on food of the soul!”
Manna and Wisdom is a carefully crafted blueprint that thrives equally off of the Torah and Jewish imagination; it is a mystical guide depicting how students may climb the ladder of the ten Sefirot and partake of the blessed tastes that fill the upper realms. It is a reminder to “engage Torah day and night” and to cleave to their heart the forces of YHWH, so that they may flourish in the garden of life and live long, prosperous lives[i]
[i] All quotations and information gathered from “Manna and Wisdom,” a chapter in Daniel Chanan Matt’s translation of the Zoahr. Paulist Press. 1983.