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I’M MARY E. KNIPPEL

The Soul Story Writing Mentor

Unleash the Power of Your Soul's Wisdom

Supporting Transformational Leaders connect to their soul's calling and articulate it into the written word (books/blogs & more), to grow their business, attract clients & leave a legacy so their message exists beyond today.

Author Coaching & More

Publishing your Anthologies, Memoirs, Blogs, Signature Talks, Journaling and More!

Wise Woman Wisdom Retreats

Half Moon Bay California,

March 5th-9th 2025

Author Mentorship

Unleash the Wise Woman Within You

My goal is to empower my clients to embrace the story only they can share with the world. I'm on a mission to help anyone who feels silent and invisible to claim their voices and share their unique gifts with the world. Gifts the world is not only waiting for, we desperately need!

Supporting Co-Authors with publishing their book from Start to Finish

Speakers who need a Signature Talk

Bloggers who need accountability to consistently create content

Those who need a safe space to express their hard feelings

VIP Days to Develop and Refine your Soul's Story

Retreats to Ignite your Creativity

brain with icons coming out of it

Creativity

The Core of Expression and Passion. This is what brings us joy.

hand holding globe

Purpose

Make a difference, leave a legacy. What do you want to be known for?

feather

Authenticity

I will support you to always be true to yourself and your values

hand in hand in shape of heart

Respect

I will support you with dignity and honor. This is my vow to you.

What Is Author Coaching?

Who is this for?

My clients come to me when they are overwhelmed about where to begin, what to say and how to make sense of the life-changing message they know they are here to deliver. I believe passionately everyone has a soul story of hope that the world needs to hear. I help my clients polish their words until their message sparkles and shines as a beacon of hope for those in search of a solution contained in my clients' message. !

Budding Authors

Publish a Blog Consistently

Become a Speaker

Journaling as a Tool for Healing

Creatives

About Mary

As Your Writing Mentor, I play three roles:

  • Your Muse

  • Your Cheerleader

  • Your Architect

  • Your Nudge

Everything I do is customized and personalized. Let's talk, Soul to Soul, so that I can get to know you and your needs. With the help of my intuition, you and I can then determine the best place to start right now and where it is that you want to go.

Mary E Knippel, author, speaker, Your Writing Mentor, and founder of Your Writing Mentor guides Small Business owners (coaches, consultants, authors) to articulate their soul's wisdom into the written word gleaned from their life's experiences as a powerful driver of business growth. She has a knack for helping you to get their expertise out of their head and onto the page so that your readers can find you and know the difference you offer the world.

If you are looking for a proven professional who uses her 35 years of experience as a journalist to ask provocative questions to uncover the heart of your message with clarity and compassion, help you craft the compelling soul story of your business, and put you on the path to being recognized as an expert in your field, you’ve come to the right place.

Testimonials

"Mary connects heart to heart, soul to soul with women that have a story burning in them. She helps them unmute their voice so that their words are infused with their passion and the confidence flows through them to share their story.” L.Garris

"I had never considered myself a writer, however Mary has taught me we all have a story to tell. Her Writing Room is a safe place for me to go write for an hour every Tuesday. She helps us to relax and hear our inner voice and to get it on the page. I highly recommend that you check out Mary, especially because we all have a story to tell. When will you start yours?" Tina P.

"I hired Mary to write an article for me which was going to be in Coastviews Magazine. It was a beautiful article and is still linked on my website. Later she wrote my press release when I moved my business. When the need arises I will hire her again." - Antoinette

Blog

What stories are you harvesting?

What stories are you harvesting?

August 15, 20255 min read

What Stories Are You Harvesting?

The changing seasons have a way of asking us gentle but profound questions. As summer leans toward autumn, and the light shifts in both subtle and striking ways, the earth invites us to pause and take stock. We watch fields turning golden, gardens heavy with ripened fruit, and trees preparing to release their leaves. It’s harvest time—a season not just for farmers, but for storytellers, dreamers, and anyone living an intentional, Soul-filled life.

And so I ask you: What stories are you harvesting?

The Fields of Your Life

Your life is a patchwork of seasons—moments planted, cultivated, and grown over time. Some began as tiny seeds of hope. Others were uninvited, sprouting unexpectedly after a storm. There were ideas you nurtured with patience, dreams you protected through droughts, and moments of joy that seemed to bloom overnight.

Harvesting your stories begins with noticing what’s ready to be gathered. Which moments are ripe with meaning? Which memories have been quietly maturing in the background, waiting for you to recognize their richness? Not every seed you’ve planted has grown in the way you expected. But even the surprising, twisted, or tangled growth can be full of wisdom.

Perhaps you’ve been walking past some of your ripest stories without stopping to collect them. They may not look perfect, but when you hold them up to the light, you’ll see they are overflowing with truth, resilience, and beauty.

Listening for the Whisper Beneath the Words

Harvesting a story isn’t just about remembering what happened. It’s about listening for the Soul-filled heartbeat of the experience—the whisper beneath the words. When you look back at a particular season of your life, ask yourself:

  • What did this teach me about who I am?

  • How did this change the way I see the world?

  • Where did I find courage I didn’t know I had?

Sometimes the richest harvest comes from moments we once tried to bury. Old heartbreak, seasons of loss, or times of uncertainty can hold the seeds of deep compassion and clarity. It is in the turning over of the soil—both the light and the dark—that the story reveals itself.

The Gathering Process

As a farmer’s daughter, I know firsthand that farmers harvest don’t simply run into the field and grab what they see. They prepare. They choose the right tools, the right timing, and the right method to protect what they’re gathering.

Your storytelling harvest is no different. You need:

  • Time – Stories need space to breathe before you gather them. Sometimes you must let the moment settle before you can see it clearly.

  • Attention – Notice the details, the textures, the scents, the sounds. These are what give your story life.

  • Gentleness – Some stories are fragile. Handle them tenderly, honoring the emotions they carry.

Perhaps your journal is your basket, your pen a gathering tool. Maybe you harvest in conversations with a trusted friend or by speaking your truth aloud into the stillness of your own room. The important thing is that you do not leave the stories in the field to rot.

Your experiences are too precious for that and that’s why I am on a mission to help everyone – especially every woman – I can reach to know that their stories matter!

Harvesting in Community

While harvesting can be solitary, it can also be deeply communal. For centuries, people have gathered together to bring in crops—singing, laughing, and sharing the work. The same can be true for your storytelling. When you share your harvest with others, you invite connection. You plant seeds in someone else’s heart that may grow into courage, healing, or inspiration.

Think of a time someone’s story made you feel less alone. That’s the power you carry when you share your own harvest. You never know whose life will be nourished by the truth you bring forward.

The Seasons of Your Stories

Not every story is ready for harvest right now. Some are still growing underground, quietly gathering strength. Others have already been harvested but may need to be stored, preserved, or even replanted in a new way.

There are:

  • Spring stories – beginnings, dreams, fresh starts.

  • Summer stories – abundance, energy, growth, joy.

  • Autumn stories – reflection, gratitude, gathering, letting go.

  • Winter stories – stillness, endurance, quiet transformation.

You may be harvesting an autumn story about gratitude for where you are now—or perhaps a winter story about surviving something difficult. All seasons matter. All are part of your life’s rich and necessary cycle.

Honoring the Whole Harvest

When you look at your basket of stories, you might see both sweet fruit and stubborn weeds. Harvesting is not about judging what’s “good” or “bad.” It’s about honoring the truth of what has grown. Every experience has something to offer.

Maybe you’re harvesting a story about love that changed you. Or one about failure that shaped your determination. Or a story about the quiet, everyday moments that reminded you of your own humanity.

Self-care lives here—in honoring your stories without rushing them, without editing out the messy parts, and without dismissing the small victories. Each one is nourishment for your Soul.

An Invitation

I invite you to take a few minutes today to sit quietly and ask yourself: What stories am I harvesting right now? Write down what comes to mind without overthinking. You may find moments you forgot you’d planted. You may see that some stories are ready for sharing, while others are still ripening.

This act of harvesting is a form of gratitude. It’s a way of saying to your life, “I see you. I value you. I honor the lessons you’ve given me.”

And as you gather your stories, remember: you are not just a keeper of the harvest—you are also planting seeds for the future. Every time you tell your story, you drop a seed into someone else’s soil. That seed might grow into understanding, courage, or hope. Your harvest has the power to feed not only yourself but also those who walk beside you.

So, my friend, the season is shifting. The air is changing. The fields of your life are calling.

Ready to harvest your stories and share your wisdom with the world?

Sign up today for a Soul Story Activation Session today!

storiesharvestingsoul storymentorwritingseasons
blog author image

Mary E Knippel

Mary E. Knippel, the Soul Story Writer, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, writing mentor, and retreat leader, helps Transformational Leaders connect to their soul’s calling and articulate it into the written word. Working together as a team, Mary helps you craft and package your vision into professional credibility assets to grow your business, attract clients and leave a legacy beyond this lifetime. Contact her at www.maryeknippel.com.

Back to Blog
What stories are you harvesting?

What stories are you harvesting?

August 15, 20255 min read

What Stories Are You Harvesting?

The changing seasons have a way of asking us gentle but profound questions. As summer leans toward autumn, and the light shifts in both subtle and striking ways, the earth invites us to pause and take stock. We watch fields turning golden, gardens heavy with ripened fruit, and trees preparing to release their leaves. It’s harvest time—a season not just for farmers, but for storytellers, dreamers, and anyone living an intentional, Soul-filled life.

And so I ask you: What stories are you harvesting?

The Fields of Your Life

Your life is a patchwork of seasons—moments planted, cultivated, and grown over time. Some began as tiny seeds of hope. Others were uninvited, sprouting unexpectedly after a storm. There were ideas you nurtured with patience, dreams you protected through droughts, and moments of joy that seemed to bloom overnight.

Harvesting your stories begins with noticing what’s ready to be gathered. Which moments are ripe with meaning? Which memories have been quietly maturing in the background, waiting for you to recognize their richness? Not every seed you’ve planted has grown in the way you expected. But even the surprising, twisted, or tangled growth can be full of wisdom.

Perhaps you’ve been walking past some of your ripest stories without stopping to collect them. They may not look perfect, but when you hold them up to the light, you’ll see they are overflowing with truth, resilience, and beauty.

Listening for the Whisper Beneath the Words

Harvesting a story isn’t just about remembering what happened. It’s about listening for the Soul-filled heartbeat of the experience—the whisper beneath the words. When you look back at a particular season of your life, ask yourself:

  • What did this teach me about who I am?

  • How did this change the way I see the world?

  • Where did I find courage I didn’t know I had?

Sometimes the richest harvest comes from moments we once tried to bury. Old heartbreak, seasons of loss, or times of uncertainty can hold the seeds of deep compassion and clarity. It is in the turning over of the soil—both the light and the dark—that the story reveals itself.

The Gathering Process

As a farmer’s daughter, I know firsthand that farmers harvest don’t simply run into the field and grab what they see. They prepare. They choose the right tools, the right timing, and the right method to protect what they’re gathering.

Your storytelling harvest is no different. You need:

  • Time – Stories need space to breathe before you gather them. Sometimes you must let the moment settle before you can see it clearly.

  • Attention – Notice the details, the textures, the scents, the sounds. These are what give your story life.

  • Gentleness – Some stories are fragile. Handle them tenderly, honoring the emotions they carry.

Perhaps your journal is your basket, your pen a gathering tool. Maybe you harvest in conversations with a trusted friend or by speaking your truth aloud into the stillness of your own room. The important thing is that you do not leave the stories in the field to rot.

Your experiences are too precious for that and that’s why I am on a mission to help everyone – especially every woman – I can reach to know that their stories matter!

Harvesting in Community

While harvesting can be solitary, it can also be deeply communal. For centuries, people have gathered together to bring in crops—singing, laughing, and sharing the work. The same can be true for your storytelling. When you share your harvest with others, you invite connection. You plant seeds in someone else’s heart that may grow into courage, healing, or inspiration.

Think of a time someone’s story made you feel less alone. That’s the power you carry when you share your own harvest. You never know whose life will be nourished by the truth you bring forward.

The Seasons of Your Stories

Not every story is ready for harvest right now. Some are still growing underground, quietly gathering strength. Others have already been harvested but may need to be stored, preserved, or even replanted in a new way.

There are:

  • Spring stories – beginnings, dreams, fresh starts.

  • Summer stories – abundance, energy, growth, joy.

  • Autumn stories – reflection, gratitude, gathering, letting go.

  • Winter stories – stillness, endurance, quiet transformation.

You may be harvesting an autumn story about gratitude for where you are now—or perhaps a winter story about surviving something difficult. All seasons matter. All are part of your life’s rich and necessary cycle.

Honoring the Whole Harvest

When you look at your basket of stories, you might see both sweet fruit and stubborn weeds. Harvesting is not about judging what’s “good” or “bad.” It’s about honoring the truth of what has grown. Every experience has something to offer.

Maybe you’re harvesting a story about love that changed you. Or one about failure that shaped your determination. Or a story about the quiet, everyday moments that reminded you of your own humanity.

Self-care lives here—in honoring your stories without rushing them, without editing out the messy parts, and without dismissing the small victories. Each one is nourishment for your Soul.

An Invitation

I invite you to take a few minutes today to sit quietly and ask yourself: What stories am I harvesting right now? Write down what comes to mind without overthinking. You may find moments you forgot you’d planted. You may see that some stories are ready for sharing, while others are still ripening.

This act of harvesting is a form of gratitude. It’s a way of saying to your life, “I see you. I value you. I honor the lessons you’ve given me.”

And as you gather your stories, remember: you are not just a keeper of the harvest—you are also planting seeds for the future. Every time you tell your story, you drop a seed into someone else’s soil. That seed might grow into understanding, courage, or hope. Your harvest has the power to feed not only yourself but also those who walk beside you.

So, my friend, the season is shifting. The air is changing. The fields of your life are calling.

Ready to harvest your stories and share your wisdom with the world?

Sign up today for a Soul Story Activation Session today!

storiesharvestingsoul storymentorwritingseasons
blog author image

Mary E Knippel

Mary E. Knippel, the Soul Story Writer, best-selling author, inspirational speaker, writing mentor, and retreat leader, helps Transformational Leaders connect to their soul’s calling and articulate it into the written word. Working together as a team, Mary helps you craft and package your vision into professional credibility assets to grow your business, attract clients and leave a legacy beyond this lifetime. Contact her at www.maryeknippel.com.

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