Biography
Terah Van Dusen (she/her) was raised by her father in a small cabin. It was there that she learned to appreciate the lost art of silence, reading, and the spiritual satisfaction of a simple walk in the woods. Raised as an only child, her creativity was nurtured during the long, agenda-less days that stretched out before her. She considers herself fortunate to have lived a childhood so completely wild and free.
But carefree her childhood was not. And when Terah began writing autobiographical poetry as an adolescent, she never stopped. Today Terah is the author of four self-published books of poetry. Her personal essays and poems have appeared in multiple print and online literary magazines. She writes about connectedness with nature, spirituality, the complexities of family and relationships, motherhood, grief and loss, and her unconventional upbringing off-grid in Northern California.
When not writing, Terah runs a farm with her husband and daughter, outside of Eugene, Oregon. She can often be found ankle-deep in manure, contemplating her next story.
Artist Statement
I write first and foremost for myself. Because unless I write, I don’t feel good about myself. Maybe, after all these decades, it’s just what I’m used to. It’s where my worth lives. I also write to pass on that indescribable feeling when you read something that makes you feel so heard, seen, and connected that you’re elated for days afterward. My writing doesn’t aim to end on a positive note, it aims to end on a truthful note. It aims to land where the story actually landed, after I’ve massaged an idea for years, and marinated it beyond belief, in an effort to find its core meaning. I write to connect to the deepest parts of myself and share that feeling or mood with others. I read to do the same. When I write, although it is personal writing, it feels more like I am channeling something bigger than me.
In my twenty years of writing, I have come to understand its importance is so much more than coming up with a story. Writing is an act of rebellion. It is a form of protest. In many cases, it is a path to justice or redemption. It can mean liberation. Through writing and publishing, we all possess an inherent power. Think of all the underprivileged, abused, and silenced among us. Then imagine reading a book and gaining their perspective. With courage, we humans can set our own stories straight.
The classic diary is such a symbol of hope. It can be used as a nonviolent weapon to combat assaults of all kinds. When I was abused as a child, pages of my diary were later photocopied and used as evidence in court. So now I believe that every eleven-year-old should have a diary. If they’re fortunate, those pages will contain innocent descriptions of a carefree childhood. If they’re unfortunate, I want them to know that those same blank pages can carry them home to themselves, and become literal records of their truths. There is nothing more intimate than a story. For better or for worse. Although I’ve found it’s almost always for the better.