illuminated words

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Jo Dammacco


Writer, Poet, Storyteller


          Let’s write together ~ Let’s create together          

Let’s find your voice

illuminated words

illuminated wordsilluminated wordsilluminated words

Jo Dammacco


Writer, Poet, Storyteller


          Let’s write together ~ Let’s create together          

Let’s find your voice

About the author

Jo Dammacco

 

    Jo is a writer, facilitator, and small business owner. Five years ago, she experienced the heartbreaking loss of her 25-year-old daughter, Nicolette. This journey indelibly shaped her perspective and inspired her to help others find solace through writing.

    She has always thrived on teaching, storytelling, and inspiring others through artistic and meaningful work. With a degree in Music and Education from NYU, Jo began her adult life as a professional singer and actress. She also spent over 20 years in corporate America as a Project Manager and Events Director. In 2018, she launched her business, providing clients with specialized marketing, research, and organization services.

    Jo is celebrating a milestone year with the upcoming publication of both her children’s book and her first book of poetry, achievements that reflect her dedication to storytelling and creative expression. She is also working on a young adult novel, further showcasing her commitment to inspiring and connecting with readers of all ages.

    In addition to her writing, Jo is a facilitator specializing in soul and automatic writing. She offers a compassionate outlet for those who have lost a loved one. Her workshops and writings provide a space for healing and creativity, guided by her belief in the transformative power of words.

Writer, Poet, Storyteller

  

What am I?
I think I know that I don’t know.

I know this:

I tell a good story.

I have a wild imagination.

I am creative.


Who am I?
I am a writer.
I am a poet.
I am a storyteller.


My passion is to guide others on their journey to discovering their voice.
Through free-flow, soul, and automatic writing,

I invite you to explore the depths of your imagination, embrace your creativity, and tell the stories waiting within you.

Let’s write together. Let’s create together. Let’s find your voice.

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Contact me at: jo@illuminatedwords.com

Writing share

Each month, I will share a Poem, Short Story,

  

Brief

Brief, oh to be brief. 

A tidal wave of words overtake my mind – oh to be brief

Thoughts flooded with every iteration of every nuance… 

Rewrite, rework, reject, get it just right.

In solitude the morass of dialogue muddies the cleansing peace 

Oh to be brief

Sleep eludes me

Words, guided by the internal and external 

Even the hair on my head speaks to me. 

Even the ache in my back shouts at me and I must pay attention

Yet, there is a moment, there is always a moment no matter how brief that there is silence. 

Sometimes it is fleeting, sometimes it is nearly missed. 

But, when the sweet silence comes… When the nothingness envelops me and wraps me up in the lavender healing light, I wonder… 

Why must I wonder… that is noise

Why must I wonder… it is spoiled

Oh to be brief

The tick of the clock beckons me

The whir of electricity in the air cannot leave me be

Oh to be brief

For when that moment comes, and it will come, this time, I will not wonder


______________________________   


The Sylph’s Breath


I peer out my closed window and catch sight of the breeze flowing 

through the summer leaves on the tree. 


I feel jealous as I watch the leaves flirt with the caressing air

 that flows in and out between the branches. 


I lift the heavy wood-rimmed window and the breeze seeming to sense me, turns its attention to what is just beyond what was once not attainable, my sleeveless arm. Suddenly there is no movement, as if the silent airflow is playing hide-and-seek among the leaves. I listen intently for any serenade of motion. Without warning, like a sylph’s breath, comes a feathers caress across my arm and with the slight chill on this summer eve, it teases me, knowing that I will shiver just a bit from its whispered thrill. 



upcoming events

Storytelling Event with "Can We Kick It?" - in person Friday, September 10, 2025, Doors Open 7:00 pm Heyground Harlem, 461 W. 126th St. Suite 5W (inside the Malt House Building) ($10 donation) @canwekickit_harlem

 I am excited to be invited as a storyteller with "Can We Kick It?" The theme for this event is "Work to Do," a song by The Isley Brothers. Would love for you to join me and four other amazing Storytellers - it will be a great night! 

Soul Writing Workshop - in person Friday, October 3, 2025, Morning Session TBD Weekend Retreat, Rocky Point, Location TBD

  

Soul Writing with Jo-Ann: Soul writing is a deeply personal and intuitive practice that helps participants tap into their inner wisdom, emotions, and spiritual insights. It allows participants to explore their grief, memories, or transformative experiences through written expression.

Workshop Highlights

  • Participants enter a relaxed, meditative state to quiet the mind and invite deeper awareness.
  • Writing is guided by emotion, intuition, or a gentle prompt rather than structured thought.
  • It often leads to profound self-discovery, emotional healing, or messages that feel divinely inspired

Go To Five Elements Energy Therapies website

Past events

Soul Writing Workshop - in person May 9, 2025, 11:00am (TBD)

I will lead a live workshop in Soul Writing for the Family Service League on Long Island, NY https://www.fsl-li.org/. 

The workshop will be similar to the online event. The energy at a live event is always special. This event is to support families who have lost children to suicide. I am honored to be of service to these families in this way. 

Soul Writing Workshop - in person Saturday, April 26, 2025, 11:30 AM ET Inside Balance Health & Wellness space, 672 N Wellwood Ave Suite 2, Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Soul Writing with Jo-Ann: Soul writing is a deeply personal and intuitive practice that helps participants tap into their inner wisdom, emotions, and spiritual insights. It allows participants to explore their grief, memories, or transformative experiences through written expression.

Workshop Highlights:

  • Participants enter a relaxed, meditative state to quiet the mind and invite deeper awareness.
  • Writing is guided by emotion, intuition, or a gentle prompt rather than structured thought.
  • It often leads to profound self-discovery, emotional healing, or messages that feel divinely inspired

Soul Writing Workshop (Online) March 8, 2025, 8 PM ET Get your ticket on EventBrite (link below)

Soul writing is a deeply personal and intuitive practice that helps participants tap into their inner wisdom, emotions, and spiritual insights. It allows them to explore their grief, memories, or transformative experiences through written expression.

Workshop Highlights

  • Participants enter a relaxed, meditative state to quiet the mind and invite deeper awareness.
  • Writing is guided by emotion, intuition, or a gentle prompt rather than structured thought.
  • It often leads to profound self-discovery, emotional healing, or messages that feel divinely inspired.

Example Prompt: What is something your heart knows but your mind often forgets?

Haiku Workshop (in person) Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 7 PM ET

   Beading Hearts https://beadinghearts.org/  is an organization for parents who have lost children to drug overdose. After a successful online event in January, I've been asked to lead a free live Haiku writing workshop event in Plainview, NY. 


Haiku is a Japanese poetry style that is a wonderful way to start writing poetry if you're new to writing or explore this style if you love writing. People walk away from this Workshop feeling inspired to continue to write. If the Beading Hearts Organization resonates with you and you're interested in attending this workshop, please reach out to Linda at https://beadinghearts.org/ .

Haiku Workshop (online) January 29, 2025 7:00 PM ET

Beading Hearts https://beadinghearts.org/  is an organization for parents who have lost children to drug overdose. This workshop event stemmed from the invitation to be a special guest for their monthly meeting. 

As a featured poet, I read my poetry, separating each section with a related Haiku. The guests loved the haiku; many were inspired to create their own. A month later, they are still creating and posting them, and I've been asked to lead this workshop. 

Reviews for Jo Dammacco

Contact Me

Questions or Comments?

Send me an email or message me using the form below. 


I will get back to you soon!

Illuminated Words

jo@illuminatedwords.com

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