All about my writing
Why I write
I have been writing (and painting) as a way to cope with my mental health. I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD and double depression. I write to make meaning in my life. Ten years ago I studied creative writing through the University of Toronto and now am in my second year of an MFA in creative nonfiction writing to learn how to write and how to tell more meaningful stories.
While it can take a lifetime to heal, I have learned that one key to the healing process is to learn to retell our personal story. Story telling is central to the human experience, we all do it and we all listen to stories. When things go wrong story telling is a powerful way to heal. Telling our stories in new ways is one of the phases in Post Trauma Growth. In this way I am rewriting my life with new meaning and purpose.
My Book - Cartography of the Soul
What's it about
Cartography of the Soul is the story of a soldier’s struggle with his mental health and his search for meaning through art and writing after a life of unhealed trauma.
This is the story of a boy who wanted to become an artist, who became a soldier, who became a spy, who became injured, and who discovered to heal he must become an artist. As an army veteran I journey through memories to reflect on the origins of my trauma to discern a path to healing and Post Trauma Growth through writing and art.
Why write this book
It is my hope that my writing can be a positive force for contributing to the public discourse on mental health by adding a personal narrative to an impersonal dialogue driven by science, which is necessary, but it’s not enough to encourage people to seek the help they need. They need personal stories, stories they can relate to, stories that let them know they aren’t alone.
Peter Winfield Writing Workshops
My Philosophy
I love to share what I've learned even as I continue to learn more. The power of story telling and writing has been central to my own healing journey and I want to share that skill with anybody who might be interested in digging a little deeper into their own story and learning to write it in new ways.