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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · 16d

I'm excited to share my new volunteer position as Director of Programs for Literary Liberation. I look forward to co-creating practices that deeply examine intention & method, origin & accessibility by asking, "How can freedom be more than an idea for those of us on the margin?"

Understanding My Origin and the Necessity of Liberatory Rage

Hello from Lit Lib's new Director of Programs

open.substack.com

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · 21d

Usually science and female-bodied intuition are considered at odds. Dr. Kahn’s response is something different.

Maybe My Ovary Is My Final Frontier

In which I discover a truth about migraines through intuition

open.substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Sep 11

open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

20 Ways 9/11 Changed My Life as an (American) Muslim

I watched my world collapse in real time.

open.substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Sep 10

"The sun was shining through the picture windows on us. He told me he wanted better for me. We were smiling. He swept his arm around like a wizard. 'I free you from the patriarchy,' he said, and it meant something to me to hear that."

opensecretsmagazine.com/p/divorce-fi...

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Sep 10

The Center for Creative Writing x Survive Your Story cohost two monthly 90-minute silent write-ins on Zoom. Register to drop in (or out!) at any point & write or work in quiet community.
Sat, 9/13, 11A-12:30P EST
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Sat, 9/27, 3P-4:30P EST
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Aug 21

substack.com/@shawnamawna...

Shawna Ayoub (@shawnamawna)

Silent Write-In this Saturday, 3:00-4:30PM EST No pressure. No expectation. Show up to co-work. Stay on mute. Let your dog(s) bark. Chew gum and pop bubbles. Leave your camera off if you prefer. Just...

substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jul 22

The people who turn her away with words like "suck it up," "take a pill," "you're a liar"--these are the humans in the most pain. These are the humans who find themselves the ugliest, loathe themselves the most. These are the humans afraid of humanity...

open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

A Practice in Self-Generosity

In which I bring you writing from the archives.

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jul 7

We have incredible power when it comes to how we use our words. Many of us are familiar with having been silenced. Finding safe ways to be in conversation when we want to or when it’s required means sometimes using our words as a shield.

open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

When to Use Writing as a Shield

On setting boundaries through and with the written word.

open.substack.com

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jun 21

Writing the Body
July 27, 2-4PM EST via Zoom

Learn about how the body stores memory, and why, and take home practices for listening to the stories our bodies want to tell us.

Scholarships available.

rcwms.org/event/writin...

Writing the Body with Shawna Ayoub - RCWMS

It’s a well-researched fact that we store our emotional experiences in our physical bodies. On anniversaries of loss, for example, it is common to feel body pain, heaviness, or fatigue. […]

rcwms.org

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jun 16

Before We Were Married, I Tried to Get My Wife's Attention open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

It's profound to be with a partner who empowers you to show up even when it challenges them.

#pride #lgbtq #memoir #writing

Before We Were Married, I Tried to Get My Wife's Attention

She didn't notice me. I found this unacceptable.

open.substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jun 2

Can’t forget my wife and two cats! 🌈

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Jun 2

My 19yo, 12yo, me, and my 16yo. Queer and dear. Happy Pride! 🌈

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · May 8

It's time to sign up for my next workshop, and I have the perfect class for your internal Spring cleaning needs:

Remaking a Memory

Reframing our difficult memories allows us to remake them in a way that serves us.

Register here: rcwms.org/event/remaki...

Remaking a Memory with Shawna Ayoub - RCWMS

Traumatic memories are formed differently than normal memories, and can be more intense and longer lasting. In addition, we can inform our own traumatic memories by rehearsing them. This looks […]

rcwms.org

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · May 5

What happens when the books we read rip away our ability to hide from ourselves?

surviveyourstory.substack.com/p/finding-ou...

#writing #memoir #identity #discovery

Finding Ourselves In Writing

Or, why reading does actually make us better writers.

surviveyourstory.substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 26

What is gender anyway? Who gets to decide? I read and reviewed Yours for the Taking by @gabriellekorn.bsky.social

creativewritingcenter.com/blog/beyond-...

Cover of Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn for www.creativewritingcenter.com

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 21

substack.com/@shawnamawna...

Shawna Ayoub on Substack

Me with a persistent migraine but 🎉 I JUST REACHED MY FIRST GOAL OF 300 SUBSCRIBERS! 🎉 Thank you! 🙏🥳😘😁

substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 21

Maybe My Brain Is My Final Frontier
open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

Maybe My Brain Is My Final Frontier

A Trek into the Stars of My Mind

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 20

substack.com/@esmewwang/n...

It really sucks we can’t see Amanda Nguyen because of Bezos, Perry and the rest of the crew being loud and hateful.

Esmé Weijun Wang on Substack

I wish people who are yelling about the Blue Origin flight would learn more about Amanda Nguyen, whose story complicates the narrative. Yes—Bezos is terrible. But Amanda grew up in a highly abusive ho...

substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 11

You can drop in to ☀️ write with the light on ☀️ in beautiful community tomorrow or upcoming Saturdays. Join us!

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Feb 21

"Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward."

Join a 12-week expressive writing circle for BIPOC writers, prioritizing QT voices. Weekly sessions, sliding scale, apply by 3/10.

literaryliberation.substack.com/p/circle-wri...

"Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward."

Join "Writing with the Light On," a 12-week expressive writing circle for BIPOC writers, prioritizing queer/trans voices. Weekly sessions, sliding scale, apply by March 10.

Dates: March 29 - June 28 (no session on April 12 and May 31)
Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST or 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Online

https://literaryliberation.substack.com/p/circle-writing-with-the-light-on

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Apr 8

“One truth is I can’t eradicate [shame] by not writing. Hiding never shrank shame. Another is this shame is not supported by evidence.”

open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

Is Memoir Writing Selfish?

Examining shame in the process of self-discovery.

open.substack.com

Reposted by Shawna Ayoub

FreedHearts @freedhearts.bsky.social · Mar 24

Freeing hearts to love and be loved. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈
💜www.FreedHearts.org💜

#DeconstructingFaith #LoveIsLove #FaithDeconstruction #Exvangelical #bisexual #Queer #gay #lesbian #nonbinary #transgender #lgbtq #LGBTQIA #Intersex #Pride #resistance #resist

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Mar 23

Whether you drop in for a single session or stay for the full journey, this circle exists so that you don’t have to write alone. Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward.

open.substack.com/pub/literary...

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Mar 20

My copy of Molly House arrived. It’s gorgeous. 🥰😍 Wife is currently learning it so we can play! #boardgames #boardgamebabe

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Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Mar 17

Let’s talk about when we don’t recognize ourselves—when it’s all too much, too fast, too soon. There’s work in doing. It’s showing me myself. Witnessing is hard. Lately, I’m extra keyed up, and as foreign as this feels, it’s all too familiar. #mentalhealth #write

open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

But That's Not My Reflection

Monkeys, weasels, and the mirror of my mind.

open.substack.com

Shawna Ayoub @surviveyourstory.bsky.social · Mar 9

Cuddly babies. #cats

Two black cats cuddling on an orange comforter.

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