About The Braided Path:
In this beautifully crafted debut novel, Len Rope-Maker is a young widow who lives with her son, Cam, in a quiet mountainside village, a village connected to the other villages by a single path that winds up and down the mountain. Cam is restless, a far-walker more interested in testing the limits of his endurance and pushing beyond the known boundaries of his world than in settling into a trade like the other villagers. His sweetheart, Fox, is also a far-walker. Together they hike up and down the mountainside from village to village, pushing each other on.
One day Cam decides to venture farther up the mountain than anybody they know has ever gone. Drawn by the lovely blue-green sea glimpsed from an outcropping of rock, Fox is more interested in going down the mountainside to the bottom of the world. And so Cam sets off, leaving Fox behind.
Days pass, then weeks. Before long Fox learns she's expecting. Little by little, over the course of several years, she and Len work their way down the mountain with Fox's baby, Jade. Fox wonders if her life will ever intertwine again with Cam's or if Cam will ever meet his daughter. Len wonders if her son has fallen off the side of the mountain to his death like his father. Cam longs for his sweetheart but is pulled deeper into the unknown world by a sequence of accidents. Will their paths ever again cross and come together?
The theme of interconnectedness alluded to in the title is deftly woven through William's novel in lovely, poetic language that will astound and delight the reader. Through close glimpses and carefully chosen details, Williams breathes life and depth into the vertical world of The Braided Path.
Goodreads review
About Dreamers:
DREAMERS by Donna Glee Williams is a lively novel that yields sheer delight upon a first reading and increasingly deeper wisdom with each subsequent reading. It is a work of fantasy, but not in the sense of magic or impossible physical laws or fantastic creatures. The land of DREAMERS is much like any desert country on our earth. The fantasy element comes in the imaginative social structure of this land. It is a land ruled by dreams.
Each town in this dry land has a Dreamer, a girl who arrives as a young teenager, having attended dreaming school, where she has learned to open herself as a conduit for the dreams that will direct the town’s decisions. The town where DREAMERS takes place has a sixteen-year-old Dreamer who has held this role for a bit less than three years. The Dreamer possesses no identity other than her role—she is called and referred to simply as “Dreamer.” All of her day-time and evening activities are directed toward preparation for the dreams of the night. She sleeps in a completely dark and completely silent chamber in the company of her Scribe, who remains awake and alert all night, ever ready to hear and record the dreams that the Dreamer speaks upon awakening, which she does several times during the night. In the morning, the Scribe hands the sheaf of parchment with the recorded dreams to the Council of Interpreters, who will interpret the dreams and make decisions accordingly for the good of the town.
But now, the Dreamer has begun to open herself to love and to desires of her own that tug against her role as the town Dreamer. Her dreams change subtly—and then not so subtly. The Chief Interpreter, who has been expanding his own fortunes by influencing the Council’s interpretation of the rich dream material provided by the Dreamer, is not pleased—and he wields considerable power in the town—considerable threatening power.
One of the most impressive aspects of DREAMERS is Donna Glee Williams’ ability to tell a gripping tale. As the Chief Interpreter begins to act upon his threats, I find it impossible to put the book aside. I have read DREAMERS three times to date, and each time I have been utterly absorbed until the very end. The story-telling is so masterful that my heart races with anticipation, even upon a second and third reading. The book is a compelling page-turner.
Amazon review
About Donna Glee as a Teacher and Creative Coach:
I am so thankful for the respect, compassion, and skill with which Donna Glee Williams infused every aspect of this seminar. I feel that the best teachers out there don’t demand the best out of their students. In contrast, I think the best teachers provide an environment in which every student wants to do their best work for that teacher, not to impress, but because the are inspired by their teacher. Donna Glee did just that. Every experience this week was like turning a corner and having some new and exciting discovery revealed to me.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
I heartily recommend Donna whose bright spirit, sharp mind and sparkling poetic abilities are precious assets.
Lana Ayers, editor of Crab Creek Review
Donna Glee Williams was a wonderful mentor and muse. She let us write in a safe environment, taught us to pull from within ourselves, and focus on the process versus product. We wrote anything and everything as well as reading about writing. I am so excited to get our teachers to share some of these writing strategies with their young learners and try them themselves.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
Donna Glee--
I am still processing all of my experiences at the Power of Words seminar. It was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time in my life. Thank you so much for your sensitive and artful leadership. You set precisely the right tone for our group.
Amy S.--unsolicited thank-you note
I just wanted to thank you for this time to reflect on my life and which way it is going.
My time here has been a life-changing experience.
Lorraine C.--unsolicited thank-you note
I have learned just how important the arts are to education and how they may be used to reach those at-risk kids we may otherwise lose. I've learned new methods and games to implement in the classroom. I have learned to let go of the fear and help my students do the same.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
Dear Donna Glee--
Thank you very much for the creative, inspiring week investigating the possibilities of "Storytelling in the Digital Age." The week could not have come at a better time & I took away a number of ideas that I can use in the classroom. I appreciated the opportunity to pursue creative ideas grounded in sound pedagogy. I left inspired, refreshed, and renewed.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Sharon W., unsolicited thank-you note
I had an experience I will never forget.
Karen W.--unsolicited thank-you note
The seminar "Daring To Lead" has indeed opened my eyes to the varied facets of leadership. The meaningful sessions and action-packed activities that we embarked on as a group have allowed me to see the bigger picture of what leadership means to me personally, and how I can effectively take part of a team of other leaders with diverse backgrounds.
Eloise C.--e-mail after seminar
I have learned that it is ok to laugh & cry about life! I was so moved by everything I learned & feel ready to take my experiences home to share! I felt empowered as a woman and as a teacher. I have the capability to make such a huge difference in this world and now feel stronger and more ready to start changes! I feel refreshed & ready to take on new experiences. I am excited to begin more project based learning experiences in my classroom.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
It was the absolute best experience. I've never been through anything in my teaching career that was so enlightening & rewarding & self-fulfilling. I wouldn't change a thing. It was amazing.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
It was over the top!!!
Anonymous seminar evaluation
Words cannot really describe my experience. It was powerful and enriching. I felt empowered.
It was phenomenal.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
I have never enjoyed writing. Donna Glee, your leadership, strategies, and introduction to writing assignments reduced my anxiety and gave me permission to write without those feelings. I hope to use these tools to assist my students who may be feeling the same way.
Anonymous seminar evaluation
