Debra B. Darvick

An armful of books is one of the most delicious feelings I can imagine. Adventure, wisdom, mystery, all nestled in the crook of one arm, the crease in my elbow grins in anticipation. I was one of those luckynerdy kids who was happiest tucked away in my room, stomach to the mattress, a book propped against my pillow. The world fell away, leaving me free to enter the world of whatever author I was traipsing after.

Little surprise that I went from reading words to writing them. First journals and troves of letters, then essays, then books (three published; one in the works), a blog (http://debradarvick.com) and more essays. This Jewish Life: Stories of Discovery, Connection and Joy, offers 54 stories of Jewish life from Jews of all walks of life and perspectives. Structured around the Jewish calendar, the book has been chosen as part of the Jewish library offered to area churches and mosques here in Michigan. We are Jewish Faces, book number three, was just published this February by Apples and Honey Press. A re-imagined edition of 2009's I Love Jewish Faces, WAJF includes al new photos a new text and a glorious new design that makes everyone smile.

My essays and feature stories have appeared in dozens of mainstream and Jewish presses including Good Housekeeping, Newsweek, Moment, Hadassah and the Forward. Each month, I don my “Dear Debra” hat, as the advice columnist for our local Jewish News.

Most recently, I have taken my passion for words in a new direction -- face-to-face conversations. I created a game -- Picture a Conversation -- a set of conversation starters that use my husband's gorgeous nature photos to set the theme of each topic. I'm very excited by them and by the power I see they have on people's relationships. Through the conversation workshop experiences I offer, I see each time how hungry people are for face-to-face interaction. Texting is great. Talking one to one offers something deeper and emotionally satisfying. Check us out at pictureaconveration.com. And if you'd like me to lead a conversation experience for your group, email me -- debra@pictureaconversation.com.

Thank you for visiting my author's page.

Peace,

Debra