I could tell you about my degree in writing many moons ago. Or that publishers sought me out to publish my first book in my twenties. As proud as I am of those accomplishments, what matters most to me here is that you know my absolute love and devotion to words, to inspiration, to how beauty feeds the soul, how when you open your senses to the world, a magical alchemy blooms.
And when you set your soul to the page after it has caught that wild conflagration of the senses, it is wildflowers in the spirit, a remembrance of your deep and true and child-like self. When you accept that invitation from your imagination, it changes you and the way you see the world, even the beauty in the broken.
I was called to poetry as a child and it has held on to my heart since that spring day I rode home as fast as I could through a park full of blossoming cherry trees to write down those first lines in jagged pencil scratch.
I live for those moments when the writing breaks free and the writer rides the emotion, the senses and suddenly a memory emerges. The safety of our group coupled with the beauty and inspiration around us will let our creative wings break open.
And who am I to lead you? I am Julia Alter, native Californian, writer for four decades, singer of jazz, mother of teenagers and a book called "Walking the Hot Coal of the Heart." wife of a Danish expat, an aspiring quadrilingual, mystic spirit, giant-hearted devotee of the Church of Inspiration (which I just made up). I have led writing and art groups from preschool to octogenarian. I live to inspire.
