"Collage afforded me one of the most powerful and satisfying experiences I ever had using expressive arts. I had gotten word, indirectly, that one of my books had gone out of print. For an author, this is like having someone stick a knife in your guts. All that work up in smoke! Even worse, I found out about it through the order department that was charged with remaindering the book. My editor didn't even have the decency to call me and let me know what was happening. I was shocked, hurt, disappointed, and furious at the shabby treatment I'd received! As the say, I saw red. . . . 

"Using blood red along with jet black pages from magazines and my own paper collection, I shredded the pages and glued them down. Then I scrawled my feelings out in words. After the rage, I encountered grief. Without intending to, I created a huge, raw vagina shape. I realized than that my books are like my children. I felt like a woman whose child is stillborn. In this case, it had been ripped away from me through someone else's decision. Tearing the paper was a way to ritualize my explosive feelings: shock, frustration, helplessness, and grief. . . . 

"The book never went back into print, but I was able to carry on and write more books. Most of all, I was deeply grateful for the collage medium. It helped me honor my pain and some difficult but very legitimate feelings in the best way I know how.

Let It Rip

Materials
"Art paper, scissors, glue, magazines with photos, drawing materials (as above), journal and felt pens, colored paper (such as construction paper)

Activity

"1. Place your art materials next to the art paper and start going through magazines for colors, images, and words that express anger (or any feelings in this family of emotions). If anger is up for you right now, express it. If not, remember a time when you did feel angry about something in order to pour it out through the art materials.

"2. Tear or cut images and shapes from your magazines and stack of colored paper. Glue the torn elements onto the art paper. If you wish, write your feelings in words, phrases, or graffiti around your collage.

"3. Sit quietly and observe your feelings after completing the collage. How do you feel now? Write about it in your journal using your nondominant hand."