Wendy Brown-Baez

more photos (2)

year in books

Wendy Brown-Baez’s Followers (41)

member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
member photo
Erin
750 books | 156 friends

Lisa Ha...
481 books | 164 friends

Jason K...
6,027 books | 2,932 friends

Kristin...
709 books | 131 friends

Rose Boehm
85 books | 139 friends

Diana
4,025 books | 190 friends

Ruth
2,592 books | 373 friends

Paul
2,768 books | 181 friends

More friends…

Wendy Brown-Baez

Goodreads Author


Website

Genre

Member Since
September 2008



Wendy Brown-Báez is the author of the inspirational writers’ guidebook Heart on the Page: A Portable Writing Workshop, a novel Catch a Dream, and the poetry books Ceremonies of the Spirit and transparencies of light. Her poetry and prose appear widely in literary journals and anthologies, such as Mizna, Wising Up Press, The Feminine Collective, Poets & Writers, Talking Writing, Water~Stone Review, Peregrine and Tiferet. Wendy was awarded McKnight and MN State Arts Board grants to teach creative writing in non-profits. She facilitates creative writing and memoir in community spaces such as healing centers, schools, libraries, cafes, prisons, churches, women’s retreats, yoga studios, and arts organizations. Wendy is a community editor with th
...more

To ask Wendy Brown-Baez questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

Wendy Brown-Baez The mystery in my own life is the tension between wanting to belong and wanting independence and freedom. How can you love and be loved fiercely and s…moreThe mystery in my own life is the tension between wanting to belong and wanting independence and freedom. How can you love and be loved fiercely and support someone's dream without giving up your own dream? Can you belong without giving up parts of yourself? What if the group where you want to belong asks you to give up your identity to adopt group identity? How can you live in the wind and build a circle of like-minded people? When does becoming a free spirit mean giving up the traditions that create memories and when does staying in order to flourish mean giving up the call of the wild? What do you think....actually, this mystery is the basis of my memoir Flowers in the Wind, currently seeking an agent or publisher. (less)
Wendy Brown-Baez Hi Jason, Good questions! Because I started out memorizing and acting my poems out dramatically, I saw myself as part of oral tradition (as a performa…moreHi Jason, Good questions! Because I started out memorizing and acting my poems out dramatically, I saw myself as part of oral tradition (as a performance poet but not a slam poet.) I believe poetry publically shared was a spiritual experience grounded in ritual. Bards once traveled from town to town bringing legends, history, myths, the latest gossip. My own form was not as structured but I told my personal story within the context of traveling, observing my responses and those around me, and persona poems of women from other cultures in order to give them a voice. However, I have a strong "on the page" poetry as well. I feel I am following in the footsteps of a spiritual and sensual poetic tradition: Rumi, Hafiz, and yet also, tackling topics of social justice. I am eclectic in my choice of favorite poets, from Neruda to Joy Harjo, from Rumi to David Whyte, from e.e. commings to Ellen Bass, from Denise Levertov to Wislawa Szymborska, many influences, willing to experiment with a variety of styles.

I also write memoir and fiction hoping to bridge cultures and plant seeds of alternatives for sharing spaces, and healing and forgiveness.

What performance poetry can do is to connect intimately with your audience. I do not have piece of paper in my hand; I look in people's eyes, move around the room, create an atmosphere with candles and ritual, invite participation. It can be very moving and profound for me and I think the audience as well. Poetry itself cracks open our hearts and lets the light in. It reaches us subconsciously and intuitively and viscerally.

Memoir is a way to connect in a different way: not only am I vulnerable with my flaws, questions, and mistakes, but I hope to inspire with my reslience, determination and gained insight. Memoir can be a glimpse into someone's heart and soul and a mirror to our own, a way to see our own beauty in grappling with life's challenges. It is more personal than fiction and again, intimate and emotional and inspiring.

I could probably write an entire chapter on your question but I'll stop here. Feel free to ask me about more specifics. Blessings, Wendy(less)
Average rating: 4.32 · 25 ratings · 15 reviews · 4 distinct works
Ceremonies of the Spirit

4.38 avg rating — 8 ratings — published 2009 — 2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
transparencies of light

4.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2011
Rate this book
Clear rating
Heart on the Page: A Portab...

4.17 avg rating — 6 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Catch a Dream

4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, click here.

New Stories announcement

I am happy to announce my short story subscription!

I have to admit, the pandemic was an emotional roller-coaster that impacted my writing practice. Despite years of being able to write through intense personal challenges which include deaths of a son and life-partner, as well as losses of home and sense of belonging and starting over again more than once, I felt stunned and unable to do more than Read more of this blog post »
 •  0 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on September 05, 2020 10:31 Tags: short-stories
Penniless Publish...
Rate this book
Clear rating

 
Blow Your House D...
Rate this book
Clear rating

 
Big Little Lies
Wendy Brown-Baez is currently reading
by Liane Moriarty (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
Rate this book
Clear rating

 

Wendy’s Recent Updates

Wendy Brown-Baez is now friends with Eileen Dong
Wendy Brown-Baez entered a giveaway
When the World Didn't End by Guinevere Turner
Rate this book
Clear rating
Wendy Brown-Baez rated a book it was amazing
What Strange Paradise by Omar El Akkad
What Strange Paradise
by Omar El Akkad (Goodreads Author)
Rate this book
Clear rating
Everyone should read this book. I heard Omar El Akkad speak and was so impressed by him. One thing he said that stuck with me is that some book clubs who chose his book felt that it was depressing. It is a story about a boat full of refugees and it i ...more
Wendy Brown-Baez rated a book it was amazing
Still Life, Broken and Repaired by Tracy Rittmueller
Rate this book
Clear rating
In her book of poetry, Tracy Rittmueller tackles one of the most difficult topics to write about: the disappearance of a loved one due to a health crisis, in this case, dementia, while it is happening. She writes with grace and hope while experiencin ...more
More of Wendy's books…
Quotes by Wendy Brown-Baez  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“We must sit on the rim
of the well of darkness
and fish for fallen light
with patience.
--Pablo Neruda”
Wendy Brown-Baez

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Around the World ...: Minnesota 14 319 Apr 05, 2018 06:42AM  
Goodreads Authors...: * Author List 7291 19591 5 hours, 26 min ago  
“We must sit on the rim
of the well of darkness
and fish for fallen light
with patience.
--Pablo Neruda”
Wendy Brown-Baez

“Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life.”
Bob Marley

“For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?”
bell hooks

233 ¡ POETRY ! — 22132 members — last activity 3 hours, 26 min ago
No pretensions: just poetry. Stop by, recommend books, offer up poems (excerpted), tempt us, taunt us, tell us what to read and where to go (to read ...more
853 Constant Reader — 5819 members — last activity 1 hour, 33 min ago
A forum for friendly discussion of classics, literary fiction, nonfiction, poetry and short stories. We also love movies and art. Don't ask to join th ...more
26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 51064 members — last activity 2 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
5265 Chicago Calling Arts Festival — 79 members — last activity Aug 25, 2009 02:15PM
The Fourth Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival (CCAF4) happened on October 1-11, 2009, featuring Chicago-based artists collaborating in performances ...more
8255 Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising — 2407 members — last activity Feb 12, 2024 05:27AM
Tips from authors for authors. List what works for you and what hasn't. Whether you're selling a few author copies or just trying to get your name out ...more
28172 Poetry Readers Challenge — 812 members — last activity 8 hours, 18 min ago
Let's talk about poetry books. This group's members read poetry collections, with the goal of reviewing twenty in a year. C'mon. Do it. It's good for ...more
16853 Nye's Golden Book Club — 15 members — last activity Jul 22, 2010 05:08AM
Next date: Wednesday Sept 1st 2010, 8.00pm ** August Book Club canceled (see discussion board, below)** Monthly impromptu gatherings of people who re ...more
More of Wendy’s groups…



No comments have been added yet.