Dying to Write: Tales & Tips from a Death Doula

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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