Blog Archives
When Your Partner Dies: Moving Forward and Finding Love and Happiness Again
Millard Hiner’s When Your Partner Dies is part memoir, part guidebook, and part gentle pep talk for anyone who has lost a spouse. Drawing from his own experience after the death of his wife Sharon, Hiner walks the reader through the raw early days of loss, the unpredictable stages of grief, and the tangle of emotional, social, and financial changes that follow. The book blends heartfelt personal stories with practical checklists, self-assessments, and ideas for honoring a partner’s memory, before gradually turning to the delicate subjects of moving on, dating again, and even blending new families. His message is clear: grief is unique to each person, but with time, care, and honesty, life can hold joy again.
I found the writing deeply personal and refreshingly unpretentious. Hiner doesn’t hide from the messy truths of widowhood, like how anger, guilt, and even relief can mix together in ways that feel wrong but aren’t. The prose is simple and warm, and the anecdotes carry a weight that advice alone never could. At times, the practical sections, especially the financial checklists, feel almost jarring next to the raw emotional passages, but in a way, that contrast mirrors the reality of loss: you’re mourning one moment and calling the insurance company the next. His ability to offer comfort without slipping into cliché struck me as one of the book’s greatest strengths.
While some themes, such as allowing yourself to feel or seeking support, are revisited, this repetition can serve as gentle reinforcement for readers who may need to hear those ideas more than once. I also found myself wishing for a bit more exploration of the emotional complexity involved in finding love again, as it’s such a delicate and layered subject. Even so, his warmth, kindness, and faith in second chances come through clearly, and the sincerity behind his words is never in question.
I felt as if I’d been guided by a friend who’d walked the path before me, pointing out both the potholes and the places where wildflowers still grow. When Your Partner Dies is for anyone supporting a grieving friend, or even for those years past a loss but still carrying the ache. It would especially resonate with people who need both the heart-level reassurance that they aren’t alone and the practical road map to manage the chaos that follows a partner’s death.
Pages: 140 | ASIN : B0CWMDKVQS
New Life Provides Hope
Rooted: An Old Tree’s Journey is a picture book that follows an old oak tree named Dendro as he mentors a young sapling through the joys and heartbreaks of life in the forest. What inspired you to tell a story from the perspective of an old tree?
It’s important to show that Dendro prospers despite going through profound losses and challenges. Dendro models perseverance and the passing down of wisdom as a lifelong process.
How did you approach writing about trauma, like the fire, in a way that’s honest but still comforting for young readers?
Trauma can come unexpectedly (like the forest fire), or it can be a long process. Regardless, it is frightening and stressful. Any child who has gone through it can relate to Vince’s comment that weeks later, he could not get the crackling sound of the fire out of his mind. But when Vince notices green sprouts on the ground, it’s healing. New life provides hope for Vince and young readers.
Dendro feels so real and wise. Did you model him after someone in your life?
Those who know me well say that they see me in Dendro. It is true. I am my character. Through painful experiences, I have persevered and have found purpose in encouraging others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Rooted: A Wildlife Tree’s Journey is the fifth and final book in the “Rooted” series. It is currently available. It is an emotional account of a tree’s life that has come full circle.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Aching Hope
Losing Austin follows a teen boy with a reputation for being a hothead whose nonverbal older brother mysteriously vanishes during a rainstorm, and he spends years searching for an answer. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I was a high school teacher for many years and so often I’d hear one kid say something nasty or hateful to someone I knew to be his/her friend. I also recall many times kids would shout or scream at their parents or siblings. If they were students I knew well, I’d suggest they make it right with their friend or parent because we never know if we’ll have the opportunity. The unexpected always intervenes in life. This thinking was the seed that begat Losing Austin, and it’s the essential premise of the book. I also worked with nonverbal students and always wondered what they were thinking and what they would say if they could, which provided me with inspiration for the character of Austin.
I found Colton to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
I worked with many kids over the years labeled special education and some required a lot of extra attention on the part of parents and teachers. I also came to know the siblings of these kids and sometimes there was resentment that their brother got all the attention. They knew he needed the attention—even from them—but resented not getting what they needed themselves. These experiences begat Colton, a boy who is forced to be independent from a young age and feels he’s been cheated out of nurturing that should have come to him because his brother is “different” and takes up the lion’s share of his parents’ time. From resentment comes anger, and anger becomes all Colton is in the eyes of teachers, his parents, and other kids. That’s his label and once kids have been labeled, it’s difficult to shed that label.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Losing Austin is about grief; about the way loss fractures a family, leaving jagged edges that don’t quite fit together anymore. It’s about guilt and redemption and desperate, aching hope, the hope Colton feels that Austin is alive and will be found. It’s also about regret, the regret Colton feels for his anger towards Austin and his frantic need for forgiveness. It’s about letting go, about accepting that some people aren’t ours, no matter how much we love them. It’s about redemption and the ability to overcome one’s past. And it’s about the need for parents to love their children equally—no matter that one child might need more of their time—because all children need to be nurtured.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have completed my first foray into middle grade territory and that book should be out by April of 2026. I’m also writing the two sequels to my award-winning Forever Boy that will complete the trilogy, and I’ve mapped out a cozy mystery to tackle after those are finished, so I’ll be busy.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Riddled with guilt, Colton spends every waking moment trying to find Austin. Searching online for similar missing kids, he meets Keilani, a girl from Hawaii whose younger brother vanished the same day as Austin. Internet explorations reveal other kids who also disappeared, always on rainy days. Since none of these kids have been heard from since, alien abduction seems the most likely answer.
Colton endures years of frustrating dead ends and high school graduation beckons. Then something so shocking occurs that the world descends on the Bowman home in the form of media, law enforcement, even Homeland Security, and Colton’s life will never be the same.
An Incredible Gift of Transformation
The Fine Art of Grieving guides readers through the deeply emotional landscape of mourning your son through evocative vignettes, photography, and various art forms to share your emotions and memories. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Before my son’s death, I found art to be an effective tool to express uncomfortable feelings and transform my own childhood trauma into meaning. Creativity gave me a voice, built my self-confidence, and made me stronger and wiser.
Although artmaking had been my salvation, my creative muse vanished when a switch flipped from child alive to child dead. How was I supposed to process grief?
Soon after my son’s death, I attended a grief group and asked the question, “How long does grief last?” The other grievers all turned to the counselor with looks of desperation. The counselor replied, “Grief lasts forever.”
I felt shocked, doomed, and then I shifted into disbelief. How could anyone survive if this relentless, excruciating, brutal thing called grief lasts forever?
Predominantly, grief is confined to culturally acceptable guidelines, often censored. Unexpressed grief is grief unprocessed. I witnessed most grievers quicksand-stuck, mouthless, or hanging unreachable in the cave of loss destined to suffer forever. No one should have to suffer forever.
My quest to prove that grief does not last forever began with defining grief—and healing. I read as many articles and research studies on grief as I could find, and although highly complicated and nuanced, it turns out that grief is a process and healing is part of that process.
I also devoured grief memoirs and self-help grief books only to find that my experience with grief—that raw unfamiliar madness—was not represented. What was missing compelled me to write a memoir about how creativity and healing were connected to the grieving process. I wanted to write a heart-opening, affirming, unabridged, unmasked depiction of what grief looks like and how it is possible to heal from grief.
In early grief, I wasn’t certain that my creative inquiry into devastating loss would facilitate healing, but I was willing to try. I intuitively suspected that I might be able to develop grief-vision—learning to see through darkness. It took me almost a year to find my way.
I discovered an unconventional pathway through grief. I turned to my camera to document myself floating down a river swaddled in my son’s blood-red blanket, surprised to experience the movements of that river as a metaphor for change—that nothing remains the same. Before the lens, I set my son’s clothing aflame to make sure there was nothing left inside those fading artifacts—a quick lesson in impermanence. I buried my face into his ashes and photographed my faceprint grimace pushed deep into the sand of him to discover my new self in place of his absence. Art performance and photography facilitated a viable means to transform harrowing loss and pain into something soulful, meaningful, and gave me purpose. A grief-can-be-healed revelation, so good, I wrote my book to offer relief and hope to all those who have or will experience grief.
“In grief, you can choose how to process your loss.” – Jane Edberg
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
One might assume the parts about “hearing my son is dead” or “viewing the body” would be the hardest to write, but the entire story was challenging because I was discovering what my story was about as I relived each event multiple times to write the book. My first draft of my memoir was written during the grieving process. While trying to make sense of my actions and experiences, I was processing grief while processing art while processing healing and writing to make sense of those complex relationships while following my throughline: one can heal from grief. Incrementally, I had to depict all the intricate bits that led me to accept my son’s death and show how I created a new, well-adjusted self in a new world. I wrote about how creativity allowed me permission to see, think, and behave in unfamiliar ways. There is no definitive grief manual for that. Years later—as the older, wiser, new self—I rewrote my memoir to include what I came to understand about deep loss.
While losing a loved one is sudden, and happens in a flash, the process of living without them takes years to incorporate, years to make sense of, and years of trying to accept realities that are impossible to understand. Although art assisted me in the journey from grief to healing, that process was fraught with labyrinthine struggle, deep mental anguish, and a lot of focused hard work. Writing that story was a tall order. However, if I had done nothing but give in to being swept away by grief, I believe that my grief would be delayed, and possibly last forever. My memoir is a testament to how one can heal from grief.
“Grief is in the details, so is the healing.” – Jane Edberg
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” – Toni Morrison
So, I did.
The Fine Art of Grieving—not your typical grief memoir—is an introspective and thought-provoking story that explores the profound power of art and its role in navigating through grief to healing and self-discovery. My stories demonstrate how grief offers us an opportunity for self-reflection and personal development, which leads to personal growth. I switched up the conventional grief narrative to invite the idea that grief offers us an incredible gift of transformation.
I included 50 fine art photographs—visual representations of my journey through grief—to go hand in hand with the prose. I do not consider the photographs to be illustrations; I see them as illuminations—bringing light to darkness. My images speak to what my words cannot convey while my words speak to what the art holds as mystery.
Although many people believe that art is only made and enjoyed by those who were born with an innate gift of creativity, The Fine Art of Grieving addresses art as a human endeavor, that art is essential, and makes imagining and creating relatable—something anyone can engage in.
Above all, The Fine Art of Grieving is a book about hope—hope for healing, hope for joy, hope for a stronger, wiser self, and hope for a good life after traumatic loss.
“Grief rises from the ashes; you will rise from grief.” – Jane Edberg
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Because I am a complex and deep writer, the takeaway is tenfold—there are many valuable morsels in my book pertaining to loss, creativity, resilience, and love. My main takeaway—grief can be healed. One of my greatest wishes is to destigmatize discussing ideas, concerns, and feelings related to death, loss, and grief. I want to instill bravery and inspire others to express their loss with less discomfort.
When I became brave enough to share my grief stories—the private, raw rituals of reimagined loss—I was met with mostly applause and appreciation. In response to my candid sharing, I found other grievers compelled to share their wild steps through the process of grieving. I want readers to know that expressing their grief is how to process that grief.
Many grief experts tout that grief is forever, however, The Fine Art of Grieving offers proof that grief—after showing the complexities of grief—can be processed and healed, does not have to last forever, and that love, and creativity outlast grief.
“How do you heal grief? You grieve.” – Jane Edberg
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Author Facebook | Facebook | Author Instagram | Instagram | Website | thefineartofgrieving | TikTok | Medium | Podcast | Amazon
Jane Edberg’s creative muse vanished when a switch flipped from child alive to child dead. How was she supposed to process her loss? This lyrical, original, beautifully written story is about how, after the tragic death of her adored nineteen-year-old son, she rediscovers the power of art to create an unconventional pathway through grief. This is not your typical grief memoir. It is an introspective and thought-provoking story which explores the profound power of creativity to transform trauma and anguish into resilience and healing. Her journey is illuminated with breathtaking, fine art photographs of reimagined loss.
HEROES IN GRIEF podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e6-jane-edberg-professor-artist-author-of-the-
fine/id1743205801?i=1000657605087
UnTraumatized
Dr. Shon Shree Lewis’s book, UnTraumatized, delves into the multifaceted nature of crises and trauma, providing a comprehensive guide for understanding, coping, and healing. From personal anecdotes to professional insights, the author offers a detailed exploration of various crises, including personal, social, and natural disasters. The book’s structure, which spans from defining what constitutes a crisis to detailed recovery strategies, makes it an essential read for anyone looking to navigate the tumultuous waters of traumatic experiences.
Dr. Lewis’s writing is engaging, particularly because she intersperses professional advice with her personal stories. This combination adds a layer of authenticity and relatability that many purely academic texts lack. For instance, her candid recounting of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and the emotional turmoil of her divorce brings a human touch to the book, making the theoretical concepts more tangible.
One of the sections I found most impactful was Chapter 8, “Coping with Trauma after Crisis,” where Dr. Lewis provides practical steps for managing trauma. Her advice is grounded in both psychological theory and spiritual wisdom, offering a holistic approach to healing. This chapter stands out because of its actionable advice, such as specific coping mechanisms and the importance of community support. The inclusion of biblical references might not resonate with all readers, but it undeniably enriches the content for those who appreciate spiritual guidance.
Another section I appreciated is Chapter 11, “Movie Reflections Dealing with Trauma,” which analyzes popular films through the lens of trauma and recovery. This unique approach not only makes the content more accessible but also demonstrates how pervasive and culturally significant trauma is. Dr. Lewis’s reflections provide a refreshing perspective on how media can influence our understanding of trauma and resilience.
UnTraumatized is an insightful resource for anyone dealing with trauma, whether directly or indirectly. Dr. Lewis’s blend of personal experience and professional knowledge offers a unique guide to understanding and overcoming trauma.
Pages: 166 | ASIN : B09MSCCZF1
Learning Through Experiences
How Boys Learn is a collection of short stories that expose the challenges faced by boys from diverse backgrounds and their journeys into adulthood. What inspired you to write this collection?
Each story in the collection is at least loosely based on some sort of experience from my own life. I was interested in a key learning I had in those situations and how I could turn it into a story.
For example, the last story, “A Boy’s School,” is about a boy who gets in a car accident and is comatose throughout the school year. I had a very bad car accident my senior year of high school, but I was back in school two days later. So clearly, the story I wrote is a lot more dramatic than the real-life event. But I remember coming back to school and being appalled by how much love I received from my classmates. So it was that feeling of love that I wanted to evoke in the story, especially in a small all-boys high school where you otherwise have the students jockeying for social position over one another through mean jokes, homophobia, and what have you.
I originally wrote these stories for my senior thesis in college, and I thought it was appropriate to edit and publish them now, many years later, because of all the generalizations and assumptions we make about boys and men and how this negative message they are receiving is actually backfiring and radicalizing them. Boys need to see that there are many ways to be a man without sacrificing what it means to be masculine.
Is there anything from your own life you put into the characters in your stories?
Each story is based on some real-life event, and some more so than others. For example, “This Is the Story That I Wrote For This Week” is inspired by creative writing classes I took in college. The protagonist of that story is essentially me as a college student. I think self-deprecation is often effective, and the reality is that I was not always the most mature person back then. I made generalizations about others. What I think is interesting in that story is that the generalizations are not necessarily even wrong, they are just counter-productive for the protagonist in achieving his outcome of writing fiction that appeals to a broad audience. All of this to say, the learning is about being solutions-oriented.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I think the most important theme is that the boys in the story learn through their own experiences. We have this fixation these days on being virtuous and telling everyone what is right or wrong. That almost never works. People love to adopt their own ideas. And the best way to come to your own idea is to live or experience something that makes you believe what you believe. An example of this would be in the story “Kicking Stones,” where the white narrator talks about how he learned about racism by watching how his black friends were treated. That is a lot more powerful for him to see and witness than for someone on a college campus with a sign telling him what to believe.
Can readers look forward to more from you in the near future?
Yes! This was my second book, but the first work of fiction.
Kirchick’s collection captures diverse experiences: from a conflicted teenage wrestler in rural Pennsylvania to a postwar society designed to curb “bad ideas,” and a doctor’s encounters with family and an unusual patient. Love is the overarching theme, whether it’s the characters’ connections with others or their pursuit of self-love.
Originally penned in 2010 under the guidance of esteemed author Edmund White at Princeton University, these tales have been refined for a wider audience. Kirchick’s aim is to impart lessons on struggle, humanity, and discovering love in unexpected corners. How Boys Learn invites readers to explore the complexities of growing up and finding love amid life’s challenges.
How Boys Learn
Jeff Kirchick’s How Boys Learn is an intriguing anthology of seven short stories, each delving into the nuanced experiences of boys and men from diverse backgrounds. The collection thoughtfully explores the often-overlooked vulnerabilities and challenges faced by males in a society that holds steadfast to traditional notions of masculinity. Kirchick masterfully crafts tales that range from the poignant journey of a child wrestler enduring harsh fasting regimes to the emotional turbulence of coping with a friend’s loss.
What sets this collection apart is Kirchick’s adeptness in language and narrative style. He skillfully tailors his writing to suit each story, employing a range of techniques from diary entries and nonlinear narratives to the occasional use of second-person perspective. Despite the brevity of each tale, the characters are rendered with remarkable authenticity, reflecting their ages and backgrounds with precision and empathy.
The stories in How Boys Learn span a spectrum of settings and timeframes, from relatable, everyday scenarios to an imaginative foray into a futuristic dystopia. They transcend their brief format, leaving a profound impression on the reader. Kirchick avoids predictable conclusions, inviting readers to find meaning in the characters’ journeys rather than the outcomes. Kirchick does not shy away from complex and often dark themes such as toxic masculinity, victimization, sexuality, temptation, and guilt. His exploration of these topics is handled with an underlying optimism, highlighting the necessity of confronting societal issues related to gender bias.
How Boys Learn is a compelling read that offers valuable insights not just for men, but for all readers, encouraging a deeper understanding of the male experience in contemporary society.
Pages : 180 | ASIN : B0CP86VLLR
LITERARY TITAN 