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Finding Your Own Voice in Writing

Swedish MS Center Creative Writing Program

The stories below are written by the Swedish MS Center Writing Class, which began virtually in March 2020. We started with flash fiction (stories of 100 to 1000 words) on the premise that if you learn to write a good paragraph, you can expand it into a good story. With the goal of eventually publishing a book, our writers are continuously writing and improving their memoirs and short stories. Below are a selection of these stories.

The stories and views expressed here are those of each individual author. Authors are encouraged to choose their own topics for each prompt. All opinions, language, or reflections are those of the author and do not represent Swedish Medical Group.

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Well, we finally achieved our goal and published our book in December 2021! 


Stories from Our Center: Lives Challenged by MS is officially on sale at Amazon! 


All proceeds from the sale of this book support the Swedish MS Center Endowment for Supportive Care Services to help us continue to offer wellness programs like this for anyone living with MS. Thank you for your support!

This group is continuing to write and will welcome new members to a beginner class in March 2022. We will continue to feature some of our stories here each month. If you have any questions about this program, or the MS Center at Swedish, please contact erin.carper@swedish.org

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Space Invaders

I'm driving home from Highlands grocery in Big Blue, my family’s luxury van, and flip open my Motorola phone to call Little Joe. “Where...

Hafla Magic

When I entered through the door of the local community event center, I suddenly felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole into...

Ascending

Lila lived with her family in a little village on the south bank of a river where it emerged from the forest. Summer solstice was her...

Prompt Stories: Connection

Each month in class we write a prompt paragraph of 100 words or less. A prompt paragraph is a suggested topic for the writer to take any...

Balance is my Curse

My most recent travel adventure involved a flight to Boston, MA to visit our daughter and her husband. Of course, Edward, my husband, had...

Tough Decisions

“I don't know, Doc,” I huff. “Things have been kind of stressful at work since the merger. I'm getting more fatigued each day, just...

Running Out of Songs

“What in the world?” I shout. “Who’s shining a flashlight in my eyes?” I look around my bedroom. It’s dark; no one’s holding a...

Unwanted Christmas Gift

Stifling a yawn, I watch the movie credits scrolling up our TV screen. “That movie lasted about an hour too long. My head is throbbing,...

Balancing Act

Clara had been retired for only eighteen months when her mother called and told her she had cancer. Clara felt as if her heart had...

Anna's Time to Heal

Outside the large picture window through evergreen trees, the evening light spread across the lake and above the Cascade Mountain range....

A Home Visit

After fifteen minutes of being lost in this unfamiliar section of the city, I arrive at Oasis Street, hoping to locate the residence of...

Testing My Patience

Content Warning: this piece contains strong language I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) twenty years ago and if there's one...

What Did Millie Hear?

When I was a child I had very sharp hearing. One evening during a storm I toddled to the door and wouldn't come away until Mama opened...

Two Syringes

Unconsciously I tap my toes to the rhythmic whirr-click of ‘Gertie,’ the oxygen condenser that sits between my sleeping area and the...

Vineyard Lambert

Leaving the comfort of my bed, I stand before my bedroom window, stretching out my arms with purpose and running my fingers through my...

Purple Elephants Never Forget

Standing at the kitchen sink, I stare out the window and robotically rub the soapy plate. My bloodshot eyes spot the treehouse in the old...

Heading for Las Vegas

“Hey Dave, remember when we watched the Colbert Show a few weeks ago and Elton John was on?” I ask my husband. “Sure, Laurie. What about...

Enormity Paralysis (My Life)

I have started this story in my head at least a hundred times, probably more. I love my house in Washington State, but I am only able to...

"Bonfire" Prompt Stories

Each month, as part of the “Find Your Voice in Writing” class, the writers are asked to compose a 100-word paragraph based on a prompt....

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