Holly Stevens

Current

• Storytelling Advocate at The Storyteller and the Listener Online

Past

• Religion Writer/Columnist (Self-employed)
• Freelance Writer and Editor (Self-employed)
• Manager of Publications at Wachovia Bank and Trust

see less...

Education

• Central Washington University
• St. Andrews Presbyterian College
• Huguenot High School

see less...

Recommended

14 people have recommended Holly

Connections

56 connections

Industry

Writing and Editing

Websites

• My Website
• My Company
• My Company

Holly Stevens’s Summary

Before advanced cancer interrupted my work, I focused simultaneously on writing, editing and the graphic arts. But my heart is anchored in the love of story.

As a young mother I dreamed of attending seminary to further my fledgling career as a religion writer and to begin a ministry of hospitality in my home for those seeking solitude, or silence, or space, or safety to share their stories with an attentive listener. It was a dream that was incompatible with my noisy and active marriage enmeshed in the material world, and I eventually abandoned that dream.

But after my marriage ended in 2000, I grew into relationship with a friend I'd known for 19 years, who had followed a similar dream. Bill and his first wife had acquired 40 acres of woods and meadows in the hills of North Carolina, creating a home/retreat center with 24 beds while he was a Friends pastor. She died, far too young, in 1979; Bill moved on alone, hosting spiritual and environmental retreats, until our reconnection.

My advanced cancer has ended the retreat ministry here at Glenagape, although Greensboro Montessori School now uses our "raw land" for a middle school land immersion program.

So here I am, listening to and telling stories via my keyboard and DSL connection, while outside my windows young people explore the land and the stories and mystery it holds in store for those who observe it from close up. In these final years of my life, despite my advanced illness, I have never been more content.

I choose themes for each year. My theme for 2008: gentleness. Past themes since I started this practice in 2002 have been: gratitude, transition, storytelling, listening, stillness and benediction.

Holly Stevens’s Specialties:

Some insight into the potential of story in peacemaking, healing, bridge building and reconciliation and contacts with people from all over the world who share my yen for story, whether as listener or teller.

Holly Stevens’s Experience

• Storytelling Advocate

  The Storyteller and the Listener Online

  (Publishing industry)

  August 2005 — Present (2 years 10 months)

  The Storyteller and the Listener Online, a noncommercial newsletter free to subscribers, began in September 2005 and has attracted a small but committed and influential following all around the English speaking world at http://storyteller-and-listener.blog-city.com/
  
  The newsletter publishes two guest essays each month on the role of story and narrative in peacemaking, healing, bridge building and reconciliation. I always am glad to receive essay proposals from potential essayists at healing_stories@mac.com. Once in a while, the newsletter departs from its typical essay format to offer a forum on a contemporary issue in storytelling and story-listening that relates to the aims of peacemaking, healing, bridge building and reconciliation. The newsletter also contains a list of helpful resources on these topics.

• Religion Writer/Columnist

  Self-employed

  (Self-Employed; Myself Only; Writing and Editing industry)

  January 1992 — January 1997 (5 years 1 month)

  I was a stay-at-home mother during these years, but I wrote on the side, both for pay and for free. Among my assignments was lifestyle columnist for the Jamestown Sun and religion writer for the Yakima Herald-Republic. I also wrote various pieces for Quaker Life and other publications associated with the Religious Society of Friends.

• Freelance Writer and Editor

  Self-employed

  (Self-Employed; Myself Only; Writing and Editing industry)

  September 1984 — December 1991 (7 years 4 months)

  I was a writer and publications project manager working mostly on a freelance basis in the financial, medical and not-for-profit sectors.

• Manager of Publications

  Wachovia Bank and Trust

  (Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Banking industry)

  July 1978 — August 1984 (6 years 2 months)

  I started as a publications specialist, became a publications editor, and eventually manager of publications (employee and informational publications for specific client segments).

Holly Stevens’s Education

• Central Washington University

  Special Education, Elementary Education 1997 — 2002

• St. Andrews Presbyterian College

  BA English, English, concentration in journalism, 1974 — 1978

• Huguenot High School

  1972 — 1974

Additional Information

Holly Stevens’s Websites:

• My Website
• My Company
• My Company

Holly Stevens’s Interests:

storytelling, story listening, publishing, writing, editing, quakers, liberal christianity, gourd crafting, reading, meditation and experimental prayer practices, advocating for universal health care, civil rights issues of the day (especially equal rights for those with minority sexual orientations), campaign finance reform, exploring death and dying openly and positively

Holly Stevens’s Groups:

National Storytelling Network, North Carolina Storytelling Guild, Storytell Listserv, Healing Story Listserv, TAP-ART-Peace Listserv, NC Committee to Defend Health Care, Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Triangle

Holly Stevens’s Honors:

Two people have told me that they have established themes for 2007 instead of resolutions, as a result of my article on new year's themes. I felt more honored by that than anything else lately.

Holly Stevens’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• expertise requests
• reference requests
• getting back in touch