Episode 43: [GUEST] How turning her memoir into poetry transformed her life with Andrea Seiler

Inspired Writer Collective Podcast

Send us a text

In this episode, Elizabeth talks with Andrea Seiler (pen name: Cheydrea) about her experience writing a memoir. During the process, Andrea shifted into writing poetry and creating art, which brought so much healing to her life creating a transformation she wasn’t expecting. Her life has been forever changed because she started writing down her stories.
Andrea started writing down the stories of her life during the pandemic, and there was a point when depression started to set in and she knew she needed to do something to shift. She started creating artwork, an unexpected yet welcomed direction for her, because the writing process had brought up a lot of pain and her art helped with healing.
She knew writing a memoir could take a long time and so she went back through her writing and started to take out the pieces that were easier to handle. It allowed her to manage the overwhelm of the pain she was experiencing. She was not a poet before she started writing her book, but it was through poetry she was able to find her voice and amplify it to share with the world.
Writing was the medium that helped her through a really difficult time when she was spiraling into depression and falling out of love with so much in her life. As humans, we all have different ways we navigate the tough moments in our life, and for many of us, it is through writing that we are able to find healing. She was motivated to write to help rid herself of the pain. It was the most logical solution to write poetry and include her artwork.
Andrea’s daughter encouraged her to publish it as a way of showing what’s possible to heal from trauma and your life stories. She discovered what was possible when you use a creative medium to share your story with others and how much bravery there is with that.
You can hear the gratitude for the journey her writing took her on when you listen to Andrea on this podcast episode. She feels confident now and knows how to use her voice. You don’t want to miss a visit to her website which is absolutely beautiful and feels like a warm invitation from a friend to sit down and have a conversation.
Quote from Andrea
Writing is clarity. And even now in my state as I sit here, if I'm confused about something or I'm in turmoil about something, I'm going to go sit down and start writing because I need clarity.
Where can you find Andrea online:
Book: ​A Poet's Playground (https://amzn.to/3Y2IgbL) affiliate link to support our podcast
Website: ​https://cheydrea.com/​
Social media: @cheydrea
She shares her podcasts @andrea.writer.artist on Instagram.
Are you ready to write your memoir? Save your seat in the upcoming Memoir Cohort Course: https://inspired-writer-collective.ck.page/42427911ef

We invite you to subscribe to our email list to be the first to know about our weekly podcast episodes, get insights into our writing lives, and learn about upcoming programs for writers!
If you prefer video versions of the podcast or want to leave a comment on this specific episode, you can find all of them on our YouTube channel.

We hope you've found guidance and inspiration for your own writing.

Here are two resources for you:

Get your list of 4 Essential Reads for Memoir Writers

Get your Character Coffee Chat Guide for Character Development