Author: Elizabeth Gaucher

My Better Angel – and a new look

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / 4 Comments

We have a new look for the blog header!  The header design itself is based on a photograph of my great-uncle, Dr. Guy Wilson Daugherty, as he walked down an unpaved road in Fayette County, West Virginia, probably about 80 years ago.  My good friend Mark Wolfe of Mark Wolfe Design used the photograph you see in the Facebook page profile picture to create an original concept for Esse Diem.  In this photo, Guy is home visiting during his residency at the Mayo Clinic.  He ultimately became a cardiologist there.

Guy Wilson Daugherty, Fayette County, WV

My Uncle Guy was one of the greatest men I have ever known.  His memory inspires me always to remember that reaching for excellence must be matched with humility and integrity and a spirit of doing for others.  I can think of no better angel of my own nature watching over me and others here as we “dare to read, think, speak and write.”

I hope you like the new look!  Do let me know what you think.

Image credit: The Daugherty Family archives

Writer’s Digest – How to Create a Narrative Arc for Personal Essays

/ Elizabeth Gaucher / Leave a comment

“One of those pieces of writing advice so common that even nonwriters have heard it, right up there with “write what you know,” is that a good story always has a beginning, a middle and an end. Of course, “write what you know” is somewhat misleading advice; we often write about what we think we know, in order to see if we really do.”  — Jody Bates

via Writer’s Digest – How to Create a Narrative Arc for Personal Essays.

While both experimenting with a new WordPress app and finding new essay resources, I discovered this today on the Twitter account @writersdigest.  If you are mulling the essay project this year, may it bring you inspiration!

Image credit: E. Gaucher