april writing prompts + upcoming workshops

write with us this friday

Photo by Anders Jildén on Unsplash

Hi friends,

What has been bringing you joy lately? How are you nurturing peace of mind?

I have been taking back my time, energy, and attention, refusing to engage with the world in the morning until I have fed my soul. Waking up each day, grateful to be able to move and nourish my body, and think clearly, and tend to what I need.

The return of my morning walks has been a blessing. Early spring announces itself in my neighborhood through the brief hello of cherry blossoms in full bloom; the trees forming a canopy overhead as we come and go. Forgetting myself and just being part of the atmosphere is joy. Getting back on my yoga mat has been another quiet reunion. Awkward at first, but familiar, like a loyal friend who always welcomes you back when you drift away.

Friendship. Family. Love. Focusing on the parts of my life that the government can’t take away. Lunch dates and long phone calls. Writing letters on paper and putting stamps on envelopes and going to the mailbox to send love and wishes.

Dreaming. Continuing to plant seeds and anticipate growth despite the dark clouds that loom and threaten. My creative practice is joy for me and sanity and service, too. The energy of spring renewal has me asking myself:

What has become stale? What needs a fresh eye? Where is there room for more beauty, imagination, play?

In the midst of so much uncertainty and fear, it comforts me to think of life as a classroom. Every experience—wanted or unwanted—has the power to teach us something. We can react reflexively, we can react from our fear and our wounds, or we can respond creatively, understanding that our choices shape our futures. Our choices show life what we want more of, what we value. It may not always seem like enough, but knowing that I can make a difference by putting out the energy I want to receive, gives me hope, peace—and joy.

Below I am sharing the writing prompts for April. Read on for upcoming workshops and other updates.

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april writing prompts

I send these prompts each month as offerings to nurture your creative practice. You can use them however you like. Write a sentence, a paragraph, a whole story. You can use one each day to trigger a moment of reflection, tempting you to pick up your pen and write a poem or recall a memory or describe a scene. You can challenge yourself to fit all of them into one story or train of thought. The purpose is to explore your creative impulses.

If you’d like to write in community with us, this Friday, April 4 at 7-8 pm et we have our free monthly writing workshop where we write to these prompts together. This monthly event is open to all subscribers. New faces are always welcome, and sharing is optional. You can RSVP here. Be sure to add it to your calendar.

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Upcoming Workshops and Sessions

I offer a variety of creative sessions each month. There are options for free subscribers, some for paid subscribers, and some exclusively for inner story members. I also offer workshops through third parties like The Writer’s Center. All sessions are virtual unless otherwise indicated.

April 4. Free Writing the Layers Monthly Workshop // 7-8 pm et
— freewriting, sharing, listening, and connecting, open to all subscribers

April 9, 16, 23. Building a Writing Process (via The Writer’s Center) // 6-8 pm et
— techniques to stop overthinking and get words on the page

April 13. Inner Story Monthly Storytelling Workshop // 12 pm - 2 pm et
— a two-hour Zoom workshop for sharing and feedback, open to inner story members

April 26. The Practice: Group Journaling Session #21 w/ Karen Wesley // 12 -1:30 pm et
— 90-minutes for connecting, writing, and sharing with invited guests, open to paid subscribers

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash

Coming Soon | Save the Date

Registration is not yet open for these, but now is the time to save the date if you are interested in joining us.

Memoir and Motherhood Writing Workshop
— back by popular demand! for mothers and those who have mothers
— save the date: May 4, 12 - 3 pm et

Writing About Mental Illness
— join me for this two-day workshop via The Writer’s Center
—save the date: May 18 - 25, 2 - 4 pm et

Connective Threads: Writing and Organizing a Collection
— considerations and techniques for packaging your work into a series or collection
— save the date: May 21, 6-8 pm et

From the Archives | In case you missed it…

We had two thought-provoking group journaling sessions in March.

First, self-love and mindset coach Yetti Ajayi-Obe told us: “Write what you need to hear.” We chatted with Yetti about her creative journey, and she shared a journaling prompt that invited us to imagine a version of ourselves with no limits.

Later that month, spiritual entrepreneur Morcie Anderson explained: “Through observation, resistance dissolves.” We chatted with Morcie about her creative journey and her work as a spiritual teacher for artists and entrepreneurs including shifting beyond mental chatter, aligning your vision with a deeper purpose, approaching challenges with composure and presence, and inviting habits that help you tap into creative flow.

You can find both videos and the rest of the Practice session archives here.

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Life Lately