Modern Stories

Contemporary ceremonies can sit between the traditions we value and the modern lives we lead. They can be things of beauty which live long in the memory. Here, I explore my writing inspirations and how I approach my craft.


 

at a time


Woolf On Grief

Prose extracts can be powerful but also a challenge. Here's some tips.  more  

Darling by Jackie Kay

A beautiful reading on grief from a queer, Glaswegian, radical voice.  more  

Ways to shape a journey

If you don't have an encyclopaedic knowledge of ceremony-ready literature, this post might be a good place to start  more  

Angelou on grief: When Great Trees Fall

An independent celebrant always needs a treasure trove of ideas and Angelou speaks beautifully to audiences in a way that few poets can.  more  

It is better to conquer grief than deceive it

We might balk at the language of ‘conquering’ when we think of grief in our modern contexts, but I think the message from Seneca here stands the test of time.  more