Write with us

every first Friday at 7 pm et

. . .

START THE MONTH IN CREATIVE COMMUNITY

Every first Friday at 7 pm et on Zoom

The Writing the Layers free monthly workshop is a virtual safe space for adult writers —
from beginners to seasoned hobbyists to professionals — to nurture their writing practice and connect with other writers. 

In each 60ish minute session, we do a series of freewrites based on a list of prompts that I provide.

Participants have the opportunity to write, share, listen, offer supportive feedback, and come away feeling inspired and replenished.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

We gather on Zoom. People from all walks of life. I welcome everyone and share our guiding principles: valuing curiosity over judgment, honoring the magic in the mess, and trusting that vulnerability is generosity, meaning that when we practice creative courage, we inspire it in others. I let everyone know that they can participate however they like—screen on, screen off.

Then I give these brief instructions:

Choose one or more prompts from the list and start freewriting, following wherever your mind takes you. There are no specific rules or limitations about how to use the prompts. You can write truth, fiction, poetry, fragments, whatever you like. The prompts are meant to spark something that gets you started.

I pull up the list of prompts on the screen and set my timer for five minutes. We write in five-minute sprints, which can be really helpful in just getting words on the page without overthinking.When I stop the timer, I invite writers to raise their hands if they’d like to share. We hold space for everyone who shares, and listeners are invited to affirm or encourage the writer in the chat or out loud if they wish, only offering thoughts on how they might have been moved by the piece, not literary critique. Then we move on and do another five-minute sprint and continue again and again throughout the hour.

That’s it! It’s an hour of nurturing your creativity not only through writing, but by being inspired by the stories and reflections that others share, which is so much the magic of it all, you know? The vulnerability and generosity of it all. The writing together, finding courage, and appreciating language together. It fills the cup in that special way that vulnerable creative expression does.

Spaces like this remind us that while writing may be a solitary act, it can also be a living, breathing exchange that brings community together. I’d love to see you there.

KEEP IN MIND:

This is a space for open hearts and minds. Anyone who makes comments that are not inclusive will be removed from the Zoom. 

These sessions are typically not recorded.

Participants are asked to provide a trigger warning for any sensitive content.

Since I can’t control the content being shared, this event is not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age.