In this episode Estelle Erasmas and Sherry Paprocki speak with Tess Clarkson, a death doula.
Tess practiced financial regulation law in New York, danced in Riverdance on Broadway, and performed in Michael Flatley’s productions across North America and in London. She holds a B.A. from Loyola University Chicago, earned a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law, and attended the City University of New York Writers’ Institute for creative nonfiction.
Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, HuffPost, The Independent, Next Avenue, Insider, Motherwell, YourTango, Scary Mommy, and AARP’s The Ethel and The Girlfriend. Currently, she lives in Missouri with her husband and dogs. She’s a writer, yoga teacher, astrologer (I.S.A.R.), and certified end-of-life doula, and she is querying her first memoir.
In this episode:
Insights on writing about topics many people avoid writing about
Tips for writing about deep emotional topics
What writers need to know when deciding to write about death
The benefits of taking classes on writing and joining a writing group
The process of becoming a death doula and why Tess recommends more people do it
Connect with Tess:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessclarkson7/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tess_clarkson
Website: https://tessclarkson.com
Stories mentioned in today’s episode:
I helped a stranger at the end of his life. It taught me how to live my own. The Washington Post
What a Death Doula wants you to know, AARP’s The Ethel
Send us an email: freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com
Connect with Estelle:
Website: https://estelleserasmus.com
Classes: https://estelleserasmus.com/classes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EstelleSErasmus/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EstelleSErasmus
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@estelleserasmus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus/
Connect with Sherry:
Website: https://sherrybeckpaprocki.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paprockisherry/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherry.paprocki
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherrypaprocki
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We want to hear from you. For questions, ideas for future episodes, and thoughts on our episodes, email us at freelancewritingdirect@gmail.com.
Dying to Write: Tales & Tips from a Death Doula