My "Courage Teachers"

I came across an interesting comment in a foreword to Brenda Ueland's book, If  You Want to Write.

Andrei Codrescu writes that, as a writing instructor: Brenda Ueland is one of those beings Allen Ginsburg calls "Courage Teachers" ... There is no higher teacher. Brenda Ueland is a believer, and her faith is contagious. The thing that she believes in is ... the power that comes from paying complete attention to one's circumstances... It's simple, but still secret, because it takes Courage.

I like the term, Courage Teacher - not necessarily for the reason Codrescu states - but because excellent teachers always empower their students to believe in themselves, whether they are learning to write, paint... or whatever.

The term Courage Teacher brought to mind those writing instructors I have never personally met, but whose books gave me courage to persevere in writing...

First, Natalie Goldberg in all her writing books, notably Writing Down the Bones.

Later, Anne Lamott in her book on writing entitled, Bird by Bird...

And of course, the wonderfully empowering book by Julia Cameron - The Artist's Way.

These three women have been "courage teachers" to me.