BJ Appelgren

Non-Fiction Writing

 

BJ Appelgren, educated at the Art Institute of Chicago and Loyola University, has worked as a graphic designer, art teacher, potter and psychotherapist. The Transparent Feather is a tale of her year-and-a-half long encounter with Berry Morgan, a dying prize-winning Southern author from nearby Summit Point.

 

The unanticipated laughter and friendship at a critical time in both women’s lives takes them by surprise. While working on her memoirs, Berry creates a unique course in writing that allows BJ to re-examine her baffling perceptions regarding the mystery of after-life.

While Berry makes peace with her own life, she hands over the joy she feels for the process of writing, cheering BJ on as the novice stumbles to find her writing voice and meet life’s challenges.

 

The elder’s optimistic influence, however, does not end with her death. Unexpected events conspire to bring The Transparent Feather to a life-affirming conclusion, and BJ, herself, to a belated coming of-age. This book speaks to anyone who has had an intuitive experience but whose rational outlook may have gotten in the way of appreciating intuition’s possibilities.

 

The aspect I liked the best was how as Berry's story faded and failed,

the author’s grew stronger and took her place.

There was a sublime and touching passing of the order.

I also enjoyed the authentic exploration of the writing process.

You revealed it, you didn't 'how to' it....

Robert Dixon Bell, history teacher, Glengary WV

 

BJ and Berry quietly shared the every-dayness of time slipping on,

both knowing Berry was dying.

 And for this exchange of feeling cheer instead of fear,

I feel infinitely indebted to them both.

What an intimate meeting with the infinite at a time in my life

when such changes are quite imminent!

This is a book I needed and will need again, for it reads like poetry.

As a clinician and psychotherapist, I know others need it too—

a non-gendered spiritually committed version of Tuesdays With Morrie.

-Dr. Heidi Spencer, psychotherapist, Shepherdstown, WV