Writing Through Grief – How Denise Clanin Turned Loss Into Healing

Grief has a way of changing everything. It shifts our perspective, our priorities, and the way we move through the world. Some people get lost in it, unable to find their way forward. Others, like Denise Clanin, find a way to use it—transforming pain into purpose.

Denise lost her brother to NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2), a rare condition that slowly took his ability to hear, speak, and live without chronic pain. Watching a loved one suffer is its own kind of heartbreak, but when they’re gone, the silence that follows can be unbearable.

For Denise, the journey through grief didn’t come with a roadmap. But what she did have was a deep love for storytelling—something that, over time, became her way of processing the pain, remembering her brother, and offering hope to others.

Her debut novel, Among the Stars, blends mystery, love, and redemption in a way that mirrors her own experience with loss and healing. It’s a story that reminds us that even in our darkest moments, something beautiful can still be written.

Navigating Anticipatory Grief: When You Know It’s Coming

Denise’s brother was diagnosed at just 11 years old. The news changed everything for their family. They didn’t know how much time they had with him, only that every moment mattered.

This is what’s known as anticipatory grief—the kind of grief that begins long before loss actually happens. It’s the quiet, creeping sorrow of knowing what’s coming but not knowing when. It’s grieving someone who is still here.

Denise and her family made the most of the time they had—taking family vacations, creating lasting memories, and holding onto the joy they could find. But even that didn’t soften the pain when the inevitable finally arrived.

The Weight of Loss: How Grief Changes Everything

When Denise’s brother passed away at 29, life as she knew it felt different. Her parents had spent years as his caregivers, and suddenly, that role was gone. The family had to learn how to exist in a world where he was no longer physically present.

And Denise, like so many who have lost a loved one, was left wondering: What now?

At first, grief was all-consuming. But slowly, in the quiet moments, something else began to emerge—a need to tell her story.

Writing as a Tool for Healing

Some people talk through their pain. Others create. Denise wrote.

What started as a simple creative outlet became something more—a way to honor her brother’s memory, to process the complicated emotions that grief brings, and to create a story that others could see themselves in.

Her novel Among the Stars follows Natalie Baker, a young woman who is on a journey of self-discovery while solving a mystery about her father’s death. Though the story is fictional, its themes are deeply personal. Like Denise, Natalie is learning how to navigate life after loss—how to move forward without leaving the past behind.

The Healing Heart Journey: Learning to Live Alongside Grief

Grief never truly leaves us. But as Denise shares in this episode of Hard Beautiful Journey, healing isn’t about “getting over” a loss—it’s about learning how to live alongside it.

Through faith, storytelling, and deep self-reflection, she has found a way to carry her brother’s memory forward while still embracing new joy in her life—like motherhood and writing more stories that inspire hope.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

💡 Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. Healing happens in its own time, and it looks different for everyone.
💡 Anticipatory grief is real and deeply painful. Losing someone in slow motion changes you.
💡 Storytelling can be a powerful way to heal. Whether through writing, journaling, or even just speaking your truth, sharing your story can bring clarity and peace.
💡 You can honour your past while embracing your future. It’s okay to find joy again, even after deep loss.

Final Thoughts: A Message for Those Grieving

If you’re currently walking through grief, know this—you are not alone. Whether your loss happened years ago or is still fresh, your pain is valid. But so is your ability to heal, to create, and to find meaning in the memories you hold.

Denise’s story is proof that even in our hardest moments, something beautiful can still emerge.

Listen to the Full Episode Here:

🎧 Hard Beautiful Journey – Healing Through Writing with Denise Clanin

Connect with Denise Clanin

📚 Get her book Among the Stars: https://a.co/d/iiyhCgK
🌐 Visit her website: https://morganpiercemediapublishing.com/denise-clanin/

Join the Hard Beautiful Journey Community

💬 Instagram: @hardbeautifuljourney
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: https://open.spotify.com/show/7KppvxJWv7nzSFJDXvukGR?si=95a8f6d9cc874acf