True Stories & Essays by Anne E. Beall

Published in Jane Friedman’s newsletter, this essay describes how compassion transformed my writing and the way I approach the creative process—ultimately becoming a true game changer for both my writing and my life. 

Published in Women's Journal. You don't need permission, credentials, or perfect grammar to write your story. You just need to begin—even if it's imperfect and you're not sure what you want to say. Because somewhere, someone may need to hear exactly what you have to say.

A house is so much more than just shelter. My house became the place where I confronted something deeper: ageism. We ended up buying a home from the 1880s and brought it back to life. And in the process, we discovered that it renewed us as much as we renewed the house.

My letter of gratitude to the patriarchy. You’ve made sure there’s not a single part of my life you haven't touched. From my body to my ambition. From my relationships to my work. From how I speak to whether I’m “likable” when I do. Your influence has been everywhere.

Published in bioStories Literary Magazine. A letter to Nostalgia—where I explore how the past slips into our present: tender, sharp, and uninvited. It’s a reckoning with that bittersweet force that preserves what we’ve loved, reminds us of what we’ve lost… and teaches us what truly matters. 

Did you know that women apologize more than men? It may seem like a small difference, but it has surprisingly large consequences. This essay examines why women apologize more often, how society encourages this pattern, and how everyday apologies can influence confidence, authority, and power. 

Women forgive others more than men, and society expects them to. Forgiveness is a virtue, right? But is there a hidden cost to always forgiving? This essay explores why women are more likely to forgive, and how this expectation has huge repercussions for women. 

When my husband retired, he had several celebrations. When I retired after 21 years of running a very successful business, there was silence. Why do women’s careers so often go uncelebrated? I wrote about why I think it happens — and what we can do better. This essay that has received thousands of views.

When I started Chicago Story Press Literary Journal, a friend told me I was crazy.

“You’ll make no money. It’s a ton of work, and it’ll take you away from your own writing. Are you sure about this?”

I was. And I don’t regret the decision for a second for many reasons...

Published in About Write Literary Magazine from OCWW (Off Campus Writer's Workshop). An essay about how compassion changes everything in one's writing. It's a powerful, but often overlooked tool for writers

Published in The Manifest Station Literary Magazine. A story about a morning run where a van seemed to be following me...

Read to see what happened in this situation and what I learned.

Published inThe Raven's Perch Literary Magazine. An essay about what happened when my sons asked me if I wanted to go skydiving. I just wasn't sure about that...

Image courtesy of GoDaddy

Published inThe Write Launch Literary Magazine. An essay about how the past and present are intertwined, how we live many lives, and how to carry our past experiences with grace. 

My story, featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles, Angels & Messages from Heaven, recounts a profound encounter I experienced after my father's passing. This event deeply influenced my belief in life after death. 

Published in Talk Vomit Literary Magazine. After my father's passing, the boundaries between our worlds blurred just enough for an incredible experience. I hope my story brings comfort to those who have lost loved ones.

Published in Sad Girl Diaries Literary Magazine. A story about how our family coped with manic depression. Written to raise awareness about this terrible disease.

Published in You Might Need to Hear This Literary Journal. A story about what we realize about our parents over time.

Published in Minerva Rising Literary Journal. A deeply personal story that took me a long time to write.

Published in The Raven's Perch Literary Journal. A comical look at things that sometimes go awry when one has company.

Published in Grande Dame Literary Journal. A piece I wrote about the sobering realities we learned after someone in our family died.

Published in Beyond Words literary magazines. A story about navigating the online dating world and what happened when I tried it.