Reflecting on a disturbing encounter and urging Endeavor Health to prioritize privacy measures for vulnerable patients. Trigger Warning: This newsletter contains references to suicide. Sunday, January 28, 2024 “I’ve ordered a CT scan,” the attending doctor tells me as she pulls back the curtain and enters my room in the ER at Evanston Hospital, near Chicago. “Oh, good,” I reply, shifting on the bed. “Thank you.” “Maybe we can figure out what’s going on,” she adds before disappearing as quickly as she arrived. Over the years, I’ve had this same exchange with many medical professionals, and toda ..read more

Embracing the unexpected: I'm a first-time author transforming challenges into a unique reading experience Hey, wonderful readers! I hope this post finds you well. I come bearing some news about my recently released book, Politics, Partnerships, & Power. As excited as I am about my first published book’s debut a month ago on 12/19, some unforeseen delays have thrown a curveball into my plans for launch parties and book readings to celebrate the print version of Politics, Partnerships, & Power.* But hey, life’s all about adapting, right? Rather than dwelling on what I can't control, I ..read more

In Las Vegas in November, 2023, conducting research for my memoir Embarking on a journey of growth — from book releases to boundary-setting — here's a recap of achievements, lessons, and surprises from 2023, my epic Year of Firsts Happy New Year! We’re only four days in, and I’m still staring back at 2023, shaking my head in wonder. I’ve been a bit under the weather since just after Christmas, so I’m trying to ease into this new year somewhat gently. I’m also trying to sift out the negative self-talk and thoughts that I *should* be doing more… more… more… I process life events by writing abo ..read more

In this FREE Legal Webinar for Authors hosted by memoir coach Christine Wolf, we hear from publishing attorney and literary agent Joe Perry of Perry Literary about book contracts, copyright law, trademark law, libel, and right of privacy. Click here to watch the webinar Christine WolfAuthorSpeakerWriting Coach www.christinewolf.com Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter: Writers' Haven by Christine Wolf Download my Free PDF of Writing Tips Order my book: Politics, Partnerships, & Power: The Lives of Ralph E. and Marguerite Stitt Church (December, 2023, Master Wings Publish ..read more

Seven years ago, I began researching the lives of Ralph E. Church and Marguerite Stitt Church — a husband and wife who, while alive, each served as members of the U.S. House of Representatives. I am a liberal Democrat. They were both conservative Republicans. I went into the project with an open mind. The couple had once lived a mile from my home. Together, they’d served my congressional district for more than four decades. They, like me, had three children. Their marriage, like mine, came to an unforeseen end. Their lives were touched by struggle and tragedy. While I’ve personally disagreed ..read more

With Nestor Gomez (right) following his one-man show at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre on September 16, 2023. In my latest Substack newsletter, I discuss, among other things… …what I’m listening to… …what I’m watching… …what I’m studying… …why I’ve been celebrating… …what hosting a writing workspace looks like… …what I’m reading (and/or wanting to read)… …why I love workshopping… …news about my coaching business (spoiler: I’ve added “Literary Agent” to my resume)… …my latest teaching gigs… …my excitement about the launch of my forthcoming book… …making dumb-ass choices… …finding balance in my ..read more

The Oil Lamp Theater held a Telling Stories night on July 7, with a theme of FIRSTS, and I was honored to debut a new story I’ve been thinking about for years. It was my honor to share the stage once again with storytellers Mary Frances Schneider and Lois Baer-Barr, and to listen to Rachel Swearingen’s mesmerizing first performance at Oil Lamp. Writing and Memoir Coach Christine Wolf sharing a story on the stage of the Oil Lamp Theater, July 7, 2023. My story, titled My First Dance With the Mob, detailed my years-long friendship with a member of one of America’s most notorious organized crime ..read more

Thanks to LA-based Voyage Group of Magazines and Shoutout Arizona for featuring Writers’ Haven in their April 10, 2023 edition. Shouout Arizona focuses on putting small business owners and creatives at the center of discussions designed to spark conversation within the community. Read the feature here ..read more

“This is uncomfortable, painful, distressing work. It requires deep, pit-of-your-stomach empathy — rather than platitudes or social media posts. It requires getting very quiet — painfully quiet. It requires sitting with significant discomfort and imagining ourselves in these scenarios. These things don’t just happen to others; they just haven’t happened to us yet.” Photo by James Grant-Robertson https://christinewolf.substack.com/p/the-fourth-of-july-mass-shooting?r=3m99v&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwAR1S42H2qvnSa5X-K3RDX0CufCypykKaK6Z4_a_S6i1STqb9LuH1nXsNSc4 ..read more

I’m quietly launching my new Substack Newsletter, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride! I haven’t officially announced the publication, so this is your chance to poke around early and join the community. Substack’s been around for a bit, but it’s a whole new platform for me, and I’m psyched to establish a digital community supporting and encouraging writers with free content. Writers’ Haven by Christine Wolf has several sections: Writers On Writing The Writers’ Haven Podcast Random Ramblings And a Community Discussion section And, for those willing to pay $5/month or $40/year, you’ll get ..read more