Online Writing Groups for Those Who Want to Write
Join me for a 10-week, virtual writing group
When we regularly gather and write together, we tap into our memories and our imagination in a way that helps us grow in our writing.
We discover fresh connections and topics
We tap into our intuition and subconscious
We uncover our true voice
We grow confidence in our writing
We write
Who Is This Writing Group For?
This writing group is for anyone interested in writing or the written word.
All experience levels are welcome.
Interests in any type or genre of writing are also welcome - short stories, romance, fiction, creative non-fiction, memoir, poetry, personal essays, family stories, and so on.
Lovely Words from Others
“Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. Because Diane and Mary Kay put a great amount of research, effort, tried and true experience, and heart and soul into this content, it was an experience that challenged, nurtured, and called forth wisdom, discernment, and processes I can actually use on my own. I feel empowered, hopeful, and grateful. Thank you!”
—Racine Women’s Reflective Writing Retreat participant
Key Elements: Writing, Reflection, Deepening
Writing
During our time together, we write. This is good news if you’re busy or somehow struggling to make time to spend with your writing.
Each week, I bring one or more writing doorways to our session. We turn off our videos/microphones and spend time responding to the writing invitation. You choose to respond to the prompt, or if something else is more alive that week, you can always write where your intuition is drawing you.
Reflection
Part of our time together is spent reading our freshly written works aloud. This lets us respond to each other’s writing with what sparkles, what we remember, and how the writing makes us feel. You are always free to choose not to read that week if you don’t want to.
Every one of us has an authentic creative voice. It’s unique to you—and only you. Your voice is influenced by your lived experience - your childhood, places you’ve lived, and people you’ve known throughout your life.
And your writing is strongest when using your unique voice.
When we regularly hear what stands out in our writing, we gain a better understanding of our own voice.
Deepening
Since this is a group of people who are interested in writing, there will also be an optional opportunity to have additional, more formal feedback on a piece of a writing.
You may share a piece of work with the group ahead of time, and the rest of us read the work, making notes of what is strong, memorable and how they felt reading it. We also note where we might be stopped or confused.
The following week in the group, we share our responses, giving you a richer understanding of how your words impacted us as readers.
If you prefer to get private, 1:1 feedback on a piece of writing instead of sharing it with the whole group, you may schedule a separate session with me instead.
Size Matters - A Small Group
I am intentionally keeping the size of the groups small, so we can create a supportive setting where everyone feels they have the space to contribute and share.
Each group will have no more than eight participants, plus myself. This way we can be expansive and ensure there is time for everyone's voice to be heard.
A Word about Responses
When we share our freshly written words in the weekly group, the only responses that are offered are supportive. We share what stays with us, what is strong, what we felt as we listened to the writing.
There will be an optional opportunity, if you want, to get a more formal response on a piece of writing. This is for something you’ve typed up and shared with the group ahead of time. In this case, we look at the writing and respond with what we love. We also share what and where we might have questions or be confused by something.
Keeping Confidentiality
In my writing workshops confidentiality is maintained. This means both limiting our responses to a piece of writing at the designated time, but also respecting the privacy of the writer.
We treat all writing as fiction—as a piece of art.
The truth is, we are always writing from both memory and imagination. Treating our work as fiction creates a safe space for us to share our words without judgement.
Lovely Words from Others
“The biggest benefit of coming to this retreat has been inspiration, renewed sense of purpose, renewed passion. The way the retreat is structured allows time for reflection and clarity. Experiencing this will help me as I write on my own in my own practice.”
— Deborah Ward, writing retreat participant
“I needed this to get me back to writing my memories, from which I have strayed in recent months. A truly inspirational and enriching experience, not only the writing but the sharing of each other’s journeys! Mary Kay and Diane have a special talent for guiding us through such a meaningful journey.”
— Carol Corrigan, writing retreat participant
This Writing Group Lets You:
Spend time writing
Write about things that you care about, exploring whatever emerges
Start uncovering the jewels of your own voice and style
Witness and give words of support for others’ writing
Cultivate relationships with a group of others who are interested in writing
Some Questions You Might Have…
Are these groups open to everyone?
Yes! It is my hope that we gather a diverse group of writers together. Writing and sharing and listening to individuals with diverse perspectives enriches our own writing and our lives.
And, I do speak to every writer before they join. I do this because this is a unique writing group. As part of this, I am completely committed to the principles of:
valuing everyone and their writing equally
confidentiality
writing as an art form
creative support
teaching of writing craft through experimentation
There are many writing groups and many writers. Not everyone will be looking for the kind of writing groups I offer, so I want to make sure it’s a good fit for all of us.
When do we meet?
The groups will start the week of January 13th and go through the week of March 17, 2025.
To better accommodate people with different schedules, there are two groups to choose from:
Mondays from 12 noon - 2:30 p.m. Central Time in the U.S. (Find your time here)
Tuesdays from 6:00 pm - 8:30 p.m. Central Time in the U.S. (Find your time here)
Where are the meetings being held?
These are virtual, online meetings, via Zoom. You can join from anywhere! No shoes required. :)
What if I have to miss a session?
We will miss you! Your presence in the group is an intricate part of its essence.
Having said that, life happens and we all sometimes have things that cannot be rescheduled or put off. If you have to miss a session, please let me know as soon as possible. After the session, I will share that week’s writing prompts with you via e-mail.
Is there financial assistance available?
I am committed to helping everyone’s writing voice be heard To provide support for this, there are a limited amount of funds available for individuals who may face financial barriers.
Please reach out to me by e-mail to further discuss.
About Me, Your Writing Workshop Facilitator
Writer, Intuitive Guide and Marketing Mentor
I’m a lifelong writer, and reader, who loves writing both fiction and poetry and have co-hosted several women’s reflective writing retreats. I’m delighted to have just recently completed a poetry collection as well as a draft of my first novel.
My poems have appeared or will soon appear in Amethyst Review, Pasque Petals, song of ourself, and World Lives, Prairie Living. I’ve also published several personal essays, and a number of articles professionally.
AWA Certified Writing Workshop Facilitator
With years of experience in nurturing creativity and empowering others, I bring a unique blend of expertise and passion to my role as an AWA Certified Writing Workshop Facilitator. Trained in the Amherst Writers & Artists method, I create a supportive and inspiring environment, where writers of all types of experience can explore their voices and refine their writing.
Every person has a story worth telling. We are writers because we write.
Certified Coach and Intuitive Guide
In 2016, I completed an in-depth life coach training program, and then went on to become a Martha Beck Certified Wayfinder Life Coach. After that, I studied intuition and learned the ARTs method of energy reading at Beverly Belling’s Intuitive Arts Studio, where I soon became one of the program’s Endorsed Intuitives.
Since then, I’ve spent hundreds of hours coaching, mentoring and reading energy for individuals, creatives, and other coaches, and individuals helping them align their projects, businesses, dreams and lives to their soul-selves.
I’ve lived across the globe and am currently settled in the upper plains of the Midwest, close to the earth and peoples that nourish the world.
Lovely Words from Others
“I didn’t know where to start to begin practicing writing every day. You helped me find my why for my story, trust the process, and dig deep into showing up for myself. Your intuition was always spot on. Your feedback was gentle and useful and I never felt judged, less than, or anything but a writer! I learned to trust writing my story longhand and focus on the first draft letting myself get the story out onto paper. I learned to give myself a break and celebrate my successes!
I’m grateful for your support and kindness and your commitment to me as an artist, the importance of my voice, and the actualization of my story. Thank you.
— Laura Allen, writing client
What’s Included?
Ten (10) Weekly writing group meetings
Week of january 13 through week of march 17, 2025
Mondays from 12 noon - 2:30 pm Central Time on January 13, 20 and 27; February 3, 10, 17, and 24; March 3, 10 and 17
OR
Tuesdays from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Central Time on January 14, 21 and 28; February 4, 11, 18, and 25; March 4, 11 and 18
Optional ADDITIONAL Writing Response
Opportunity to submit one piece of writing for others’ feedback
OR
One (1) one:one private meeting with me for feedback on one piece of your writing
Price: $550 - early bird price, good through december 31, 2024
Price: $650 - regular price, after december 31, 2024
Monthly payments available:
Early bird pricing of $275 for two payments or $185 for three.
Regular pricing of $325 for two payments or $220 for three.
Groups limited to eight participants each
Deadline to apply: Thursday, January 9th
REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS
Due to the small nature of these groups and the time to gather and speak with participants, I will not be able to refund monies if you drop out, so please be sure you know you can join before committing
If you have any questions about this event or about what it might be like for you, please send me an email, and I’ll get in touch with you.
Are You Ready to Write Together?
If you’re ready to join this unique writing group, follow the steps below:
Step 1. Click the “Apply” button below. You’ll be taken to my scheduling page to schedule a short conversation. I’ll tell you a bit about the group and ask what you’re looking for, so we can both make sure this is a good fit.*
*If you have already worked with me or taken a course with me, please email me instead at diane@innerwisdomwayfinding.com.
Step 2: You’ll receive a confirmation email with Zoom meeting instructions and link to add the information to your calendar.
Step 3: On the day of our meeting, we’ll talk. I’ll tell you a bit more about the group and you’ll let me know what you’re looking for, and we’ll go from there!
NOT SURE?
Feel free to ask me any questions you have about this program. You can send me an email and I’ll get back to you by email or suggest a short call if guided to.