Writing Ourselves Whole: Using the Power of Your Own Creativity to Recover and Heal from Sexual Trauma (Help for Rape Victims, Trauma and Recovery, Abuse Self-Help) Paperback – August 22, 2017

This book changed my life, from the very first night I started reading. It is very engaging and the practice of free-writing has really been transformative. Because of this book and my writing, I feel very empowered. I even joined a serious writing group. I can't thank the author enough! I actually wrote down a quote from the past that I've never put down on paper before! I'm not even sure I've ever said it aloud. The book didn't push me to; my writing just naturally brought me there one day. And it felt GREAT! Now I couldn't give a crap less and the words hold no power over me. I haven't really gotten too far into writing about my assault, because I'm not ready to; but I've written so much about my past trauma from an abusive childhood. I've written about good stuff too! This book doesn't really tell you what to do, it just tells you how to do it and how to transform yourself through writing. I would recommend anyone with a trauma history read it. The only thing I would say to anyone, to warn them, is that it can be a bit brassy at times, where the other includes exerpts of her writing on her abuse. She is open and honest and descriptive. That can be a little shocking/triggering. So go into it knowing that. It's not too much though and in small doses, interspersed with neutral writing. I am becoming the person I deserve to be, because of this book.

This book is an incredible testament to the power of tapping into one's own creativity and writing in community as a path to transformative healing. It is an inspiring and practical resource for survivors who want to write – and writers who have survived – inviting us to reclaim and strengthen our voices and live into the possibility of a future of our own imagining.Jen writes in a humble, warm, engaging way, and shares her own journey and experience in working with writers and survivors as testament to the power and possibilities that she describes. The book is also practical - full of tips and prompts and encouragements that anyone who writes can use to get started and stick with it.I believe anyone who wants to write their story can benefit from this book, and anyone who has survived a trauma in their life will immediately understand that they are reading the words of someone who truly GETS IT.This book is a blessing.

I'm on page 15 and I love, love, love her writing. I know I will finish this book and I'm so excited to read it, but for the love of God can an editor please curtail the use of commas?! I'm forcing myself to look past them and it's distracting from the beauty of her writing. She writing from the heart, for which I am truly grateful, so a keen-eyed and objective editor should oversee the mechanics like punctuation.

An important book and a first of its kind. Jen Cross offers encouragement, support and excellent writing exercises for people who have lived through sexual trauma. She shares pieces of her story that break my heart but her book is a testament to the power of writing as a tool to reclaim your personhood from those who have used you badly. There's so much wisdom in this book -- this brief excerpt is but one example:"I've come to believe that we were never ruined or stained or inherently broken. I don't believe that our souls got warped or that we are somehow made wrong by someone else's acts of violence and violation... Our human, lived stories are more complicated than one lens can reveal. Outside of one story are a hundred other stories. Not broken or unbroken, rather intact and imperfect. Wounded, sore, struggling, scared, funny, hopeful."

Just wow. I cannot even express how this book is EXACTLY what I hoped it would be, and so far beyond. I cannot praise the author enough for how open she is, her profoundly sound advice, her encouragement,and her WISDOM. I'm just getting started on this journey, and feel so very blessed to have found this book straight away. I cannot recommend this book enough, for sexual abuse survivors, but also for any trauma survivors. I'm telling you, it's truly an invaluable tool. Really, don't even think twice. You will not regret the purchase of this book (or check it out of your library is then have it).It's truly a life changer.

As a survivor of sexual abuse, this book is returning my voice. One of the many effects sexual abuse has had in my life is fear of writing. When I thought of writing about my abuse I would freeze. This book is showing me the way out of that silence and shame. Jen beautifully and bravely tells her story and describes her method for writing to heal from trauma. Finally, I am beginning to write and heal in a way I didn’t think possible. I am forever grateful for this book.

Immediately captivating. Powerfully emotional. Not at all sensational. The truth holds the reader in a strong loving embrace....allowing depth and memory to surface. Transformation from polluted and dependent due to violent perpetration to the uncoiled and evolved nature of true self..... Healing yes, and so much more within these pages.....what a gift to all.-Quin

This book is an excellent choice for both group facilitators and writers that are working to heal wounds around sexual abuse. The material can be difficult, but also validating and well worth the read. I will be using it for expressive arts group for trauma survivors.

As expected

I am so excited to use this book, I have loved Jen's work for the longest time. Being in the UK I have longed to attend her workshops, now I can be with her through her book. It is clearly laid out and full of inspiration.

Beautifully written, inspiring and educating.It’s not necessary to read it cover to Cover in one go can just as easilydipped into but once you start you will want to read more.

Wonderful, insightful book. Already it has helped so.much