EPISODE 111: Writing in the Dark: Jeannine Ouellette on Uncertainty, Slow Language, and Writing as a Path of Becoming

EPISODE 111: Writing in the Dark: Jeannine Ouellette on Uncertainty, Slow Language, and Writing as a Path of Becoming

From Way-Word Writers Podcast by Conquer Your Path

June 2, 2026 · 46 min

About this episode

Janine Ouellette discusses the transformative power of writing and the importance of embracing uncertainty in the creative process.

Way-Word Writers hosts Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, and Nicki Jacobsmeyer introduce their mission and welcome guest Janine Ouellette, author of the lyric memoir The Part That Burns and creator of the Substack Writing in the Dark , who teaches writing through the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop and at the University of Minnesota, with a forthcoming craft book One Word at a Time. Ouellette explains that writing “saved” her life by helping her become herself and transform childhood trauma into something separate and beautiful, echoing André Aciman’s idea that writers create empowering “versions of the past.” She frames writing as a non-dogmatic spiritual practice tied to attention and becoming, describes “Writing in the Dark” as embracing uncertainty and Keats’s “negative capability,” and discusses breaking through the “wall” with tools and community. She contrasts drafting (“morning”) with revision (“afternoon”), defines “sleepy” versus “awake” language via defamiliarization and specificity, and argues for “slow language” and anti-capitalist, process-over-product practice that values playful exercises and creative risk. 00:00 Welcome to Way-Word 00:34 Meet Janine Ouellette…

People in this episode

Hosts: Heather Cashman, Stephanie Bearce, Nicki Jacobsmeyer

Guest: Janine Ouellette

Topics covered

  • writing
  • uncertainty
  • slow language
  • transformation
  • creativity
  • memoir

Keywords

  • writing
  • memoir
  • creativity
  • uncertainty
  • slow language
  • transformation
  • Keats
  • André Aciman

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, University of Minnesota

Books & works: The Part That Burns, One Word at a Time

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