I am so impressed with Sheila's writing skills, journaling expertise, and book that I have included references to it in speaking engagements related to daily practices and periodic life-auditing.
— Walt Shelton, author of The Daily Practice of Life:
Practical Reflections Toward Meaningful Living
Have you ever told yourself someday you're going to do some writing? Someday you're going to put down on paper the stories of your life? Someday you're going to start journaling as a pathway to personal growth? That "someday" has arrived. All are Free to Write is a one-year journal designed to get you thinking about your life and recording your thoughts. This volume is designed to correspond with the holidays and special events of the 52-week calendar.
Each writing prompt was once a blog post on Sheila Allee's Free to Write newsletter, which launched in 2016. FTW began and continues to be a support and hopefully an inspiration to those who want to develop a journaling practice.
Journaling has been proven to improve your health and sense of well-being. It can help you gain perspective on conflicts and problems and can be a tool for personal growth and healing.
The good news is you can't do it wrong. Happy journaling!
As my colleague at the Associated Press, Sheila Allee was an even-keeled, encouraging mentor with a sense of humor that eased the edge of writing to nonstop deadlines. Years later, her “Free to Write” continues that encouragement as a welcome reminder that we are all writers. Her voice is a gentle, but firm, nudge—wrapped in the helpful structure of a year’s worth of weekly prompts—to help get our stories on the page.
— Moira Bailey, former staffer with the Associated Press,
Tribune Company, Gannett and Time Inc
Great memory jogger for journal keepers and a stellar prompt-filled book for exploring the stories of your life. As a memoirist and writing teacher, I’ve found this an invaluable resource.
— Dr. Joyce Boatright, author, teacher,
past president of Story Circle Network