The Week Ahead
Your weekly round-up of events, activities, and deadlines for writers who have an existing creative practice -- as well as for those who want to begin.
Monday, April 22 to Sunday, April 28
OF NOTE: (and let me know if you want more info)
The Early Bird price ends soon! If you want to save $$$ on the Write on the Rails retreat, book it now. Scroll down to In-Person Retreats for info.
The Artist’s Way Workshop begins in a couple of weeks. I only do this workshop once every two years and keep the group small, so if you’ve been thinking about it, secure your spot now. Scroll down to Workshops for info.
Introducing the Midweek Mini Retreat in May. Three mornings in a row. Online. Check it out and let me know what you think. Scroll down to Online Retreats for info.
Paid subscribers:
Thank you so much for your support over the past year - my first year on Substack. Keep an eye on your inbox for special Thank Yous and perks coming your way in April, including the Top Secret Write Alongs I sent out last week and 1,000 words of my new book as I write it.
Scroll through the sections for more info.
EVENTS
WRITING CHALLENGE of the Month
WORKSHOPS
FREE for Writers
ONLINE RETREATS
IN-PERSON RETREATS
DEADLINES
RSVP by commenting below. I will make sure you are on the list and that we have a chance to meet on Zoom first, if you’re a newbie. Most To Live & Write events and activities are members only, but some are open to nonmembers.
Membership is free and easy to acquire. Just ask me how.
EVENTS:
Alameda Shorts:
A curated collection of 5-minute stories by local authors read to a live audience a la grown-up story time.
600pm Thursday, May 9
Books Inc., Alameda
Theme: Insinuate
Screen Shorts:
A different collection of 5-minute stories written by nonlocal members of To Live & Write and read to a live online audience.
700pm Thursday, May 16
Zoom ID on request (ask in the comments)
Theme: Insinuate
WRITING CHALLENGE of the Month:
WORKSHOPS:
Ink & Imagination
Welcome to a fresh writing workshop just in time for spring!
Begin your Memorial Day weekend with your muse. This is a wonderful time of year to use your innate creativity to take a look at important moments in your life and express your true thoughts and feelings about past experiences. Then use the wisdom and insights gained from this exercise to play with fiction and storytelling that resonates with readers.
900am-Noon PDT, Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and May 26. $179
The Artist’s Way Workshop
Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way has sold more than 3 million copies to active artists, latent artists, and recovering artists (and writers) over the past 30+ years. Her recipe for reconnecting with creativity has proven itself over time and across the world.
The only drawback to her 12-week process is that a very high percentage of people begin - with enthusiasm - but peter out at some point, always intending to return and complete the tasks, but never quite finding their way back.
That’s where my workshop comes in. As a habit coach, I’m able to provide structure for tracking, sharing, motivation, and the kind of friendly, encouraging accountability that will bring you through all 12 weeks (plus one to get us going).
I only do this workshop once every couple of years, so if it’s something you’ve thought about doing and you suspect this might be the right time, claim your spot now. I like to keep these workshops small; what we share in this space can be deeply personal and I like to be able to give each person a chance to speak and engage with the group while limiting our time together to a reasonable 90 minutes.
To Live & Write Essays is an ongoing workshop. Meetings are online at 1000am on Thursday mornings, PDT.
Your first time is free! The unlimited membership includes the monthly Tiny Retreat ($59 value). $60/month.
FREE for Writers:
1. Elevenses
Now on Tuesdays!
(And some Mondays!)
Join our weekly in-person gathering to discuss writing and the writing life with other writers at a coffee shop in the San Francisco Bay Area. Join To Live & Write in Alameda on Facebook for the location.
Tuesdays: 1100am-100pm PDT. Members only.
Holiday Mondays: 1100am-100pm PDT. Members only.
Membership is free. Joining us for Elevenses is free. You buy your own food and drink.
2. Write Alongs
Online writing sessions where we gather to write quietly in each other’s company without having to leave the house. Free to join.
Monday: 700-830pm PST. Members only.
Tuesday: 700-1000pm PST. Members only.
Friday: Noon-300pm PST. Non-members welcome.
Zoom ID shared on request and at my discretion. Pre-requisite for newbies: a 15-minute get-to-know-you Zoom with me.
Paid subscribers receive exclusive invitations to Top Secret and impromptu Write Alongs — every once in a while, I find myself with a few extra hours in my schedule to write. I enjoy the company, so I send notifications out as soon as I know I can do it.
3. Write Ins
In-person writing sessions where we leave the house to gather at a coffee shop in the San Francisco Bay Area and write quietly in each other's company. Free to join. You buy your own food + drink. Comment with your email below for locations.
Wednesdays: 1000am-Noon PDT.
4. Proof of Write
This weekly online gathering is an awesome place for writers to share up to 5 minutes of raw, rough, or polished work written over the past several days. Every participant must give - and then sit still to receive - positive feedback. Free to join.
Friday: 800pm PDT. Members only. Newbies welcome on the second Friday of each month.
Zoom ID on request and after a Zoom with me. I maintain the right to say no on behalf of the group; we take our safe space seriously.
ONLINE RETREATS for Writers:
New! Midweek Mini Retreats — something for folx who have friends and fam filling the weekends. And for folx who can't get away for a few days to in-person retreats but also crave solid blocks of time for writing. Ideal for retirees, people with kids, and writers who like to take a few days off work to just stay home.
May, August, November, and February.
Three mornings in a row: Monday, May 27 - Wednesday, May 29.
900am-Noon.
On Zoom so non-locals can enjoy.
Prompts for inspiration.
Deadlines for motivation.
Proof of Write for accountability.
Goal spotting.
Check ins.
Timed focus blocks.
Writing sprints.
Access to a coach who is allll about your success.
The unique pleasure of writing in the company of other writers.
All in the comfort of your home, in your favorite jammies, and accompanies by the fur babies you love.
$129
Meanwhile, the existing Saturday online retreats are still going strong:
1. Mini Retreats
This powerhouse one-day online writing retreat features goal spotting, timed focus blocks, writing sprints, group energy, individual attention from the coach (hey! that’s me), and a deep sense of satisfaction for having made significant progress on your WIP and your creative identity. Every second Saturday of the month. $99.
Saturday, May 11:
900am-900pm PDT. Includes two 2-hour breaks (I’m not a monster) and an exclusive Proof of Write session at the end of the day.
2. Tiny Retreats
Half the size of the Mini Retreat.
The Tiny Retreat is just what you need to get some serious Me Time with your muse, then head out to spend the rest of the weekend getting some serious you-and-them time with the fam and your besties. Or to just run errands.
This half-day online writing retreat coincides with the Mini Retreat morning session. It features all the benefits of the full-day retreat, but on a smaller scale and in 4 hours instead of twelve. Also every second Saturday of the month (skipping August). $59.
Saturday, May 11:
900am-100pm PDT. Includes the exclusive Proof of Write session at the end of the day.
4. Tidy Retreats
Designate time to tidy up your writing environment.
The Tidy Retreat is an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and take care of a few small tasks or one medium chore that you’ve been putting off — like clearing off your desk. We do it online, as a group, to inspire, motivate, and hold each other accountable to what we say we want to accomplish. Every second Sunday of the month. $29
Sunday, May 12:
900am-1000am PDT. Optional. Begin with Daily Pages together, to set intentions and get ready to tidy or spruce.
1000am-100pm PST. Share your goal, show us where you’re starting, and get going. Timed focus blocks and regular check-ins will help keep you on track. $29
IN-PERSON RETREATS for Writers:
All aboard for the next Write on the Rails retreat!
Friday, June 14 - Monday, June 17
Early Bird price (good through April 30): $349*
Regular price (due by May 31): $459*
*These prices do not include travel, meals, accommodations, insurance, or associated fees.
Write on the Rails retreats are popular for so many good reasons. First, you spend the day writing on a train as it carries you across Northern California and over the Sierra Nevadas. I mean, how cool is that? And you get to do it with a group of writers who are also engaged in their WIPs and happy to embark on such a cool adventure.
Then you get to write in a fancy suite in a fancy resort with access to restaurants, swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and more. You get to book your own room or share with another writer - it’s up to you and what you need in your downtime.
You get to connect with other writers, be a part of an active, supportive community of people who get you, and spend your time drafting off their creative energy, focus, and flow.
The group is small enough that each writer gets personal attention from the coach (hey! that’s me!) but big enough that you can do your own writing thing without feeling self-conscious.
My retreats are structured to support your goals and intentions while giving you time to breathe between sessions. On offer is 20 hours of writing sessions across four days, three Proof of Writes, and three dinner discussions. If that pace seems daunting, please know that you can opt out of the afternoon writing sessions if you need to step away and do something else for a while.
June’s no good for you? Join us next time: Friday, November 1 - Monday, November 4.
Or host your own getaway - and bring me in to coach.
Two of our members did this last year and both turned out to be more affordable for everyone, I think. One member chose to book the place and open invitations to the first eight or so interested members. The other member chose the place and the guestlist, keeping the retreat private for a handful of friends. Both retreats were successful and super fun, and one of these hosts has already scheduled a repeat retreat for this year!
You probably have questions like, how does this work? What happens at one of my writing retreats? Is a coach necessary? What do I bring to the party and is it really worth it? What are the pros and cons of being a host? Please feel free to ask. Email me. We can chat and I can also connect you with other writers who will give you an honest review.
DEADLINES:
The deadline for both Alameda Shorts and Screen Shorts: Midnight, April 30.
Theme: Insinuate
I send all submissions on to the judges first thing in the morning on May 1. The judges are anonymous and have been chosen for their ability to be objective. They are a mix of avid readers, writers, and non-writers. I replace the author name with a number on every document before I send it on, so the submissions are also anonymous.
The judges have five days to make their decisions. I will announce the results in the Facebook group right away. Membership in To Live & Write in Alameda is free (and you don’t have to live in Alameda), so make sure you join if you haven’t already!
For writing tips and habit hacks from your friendly neighborhood writing + creativity coach (that’s me!), sneak peeks at what’s going on in my workshops, and examples of my own writing, consider a paid subscription. $8/month gives you access to everything, including exclusive invitations to writing sessions, new workshops, in-person retreats, and more. Bonus: Paid subscriptions come with exclusive discounts for workshops and retreats.