june writing prompts + upcoming workshops

“It’s scary to hope, but it’s dangerous not to.” — Dr. Jessica Desalu

Jun 01, 2025

Hi everyone,

I am watching the days go by, stealing moments to feel my feet on the ground, the air on my skin, the sensations that vibrate through me. Going to somatic therapy for the past few months has shown me that my body is not a stranger, and it’s even possible to get to know it as a friend.

Most days, I listen for its stories and find silence, but it’s okay, it takes time to learn a new language.

For years, I wanted to feel rooted and steady, and I tried to accomplish that through mindset work alone. It’s only been the last few years that I have been paying attention and discovering what it truly means to feel grounded.

I still find it hard to live in this body and not be anxious. The older I get, the more the rose-colored lenses fade, revealing an overcast world.

But then—there are slow mornings filled with purring cats and the quiet hum of a home at rest, cozy evenings with chatty teenagers and home-cooked meals. Simple moments of goodwill and connection and brilliance and wonder that I encounter each day—and in those moments, only love exists. The anxiety settles.

Gratitude interrupts fear every time.

I pause and take mental snapshots, not just of what I see, but of how I feel, what my body is doing. What it feels like to actually be calm and present, not just pretending to be.

So I can find my way back to this place whenever I need to.

Just like I pause and feel the joy, I pause and feel the heartbreak. I read the headlines and see the suffering. I feel the loss of life around the world, the loss of democracy here at home, the conflicts, the greed, the hate, it’s all so draining.

Nothing is perfect. Nothing is promised. And still, there’s so much to hope for.

As Jessica said in last week’s Story Work Healing Intensive session, “It’s scary to hope, but it’s dangerous not to.”

When we pick up our pens and tap into our creativity, we are expanding our capacity to hope. We are holding up the light.

So it’s essential that we keep creating, even as the sky falls.

Read on for the June prompts, updates on my new book Story Work, and upcoming workshops. ♥

june writing prompts

Here are the writing prompts for June. I share these lists every month as an invitation to write and reflect. What images, memories, or ideas come to mind when you read through these phrases?

You can pick any one of these prompts and the way you interpret and give it context will be different than anyone else in the world. Your observations, memories, fantasies, truths, and ideas—all of these things shape your voice and perspective.

So if you’re curious about yourself, if you want to discover new parts of yourself, choose a prompt and write. Then sit back and see what your words reveal to you. What topics keep coming up? What patterns do you see? What stories keep rewinding?

If you’d like to write in community with us, this Friday, June 6 from 7 - 8 pm et we have our free monthly writing workshop where we will 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.

story work preorders are open!

My new book, which will be released on November 4, 2025, is officially available for preorder! Please secure your copy now and help me build momentum towards publication day.

I am cooking up something special for those of you who preorder. Once you have your receipt, please head over here and fill out this form to be added to my preorder list. In the coming months, you will receive details about an exclusive bonus that will take place in the fall.

Writing opened my mind to the idea that I could change my story, and my hope is that this book will open your mind—whether you consider yourself a writer or not— and empower you to find new pathways for your story, too.

What early readers are saying:

“Let me say this... I thought I understood the power of storytelling before reading Story Work but this takes it to a whole different level. GG doesn’t just tell a story — she invites you in, pulls up a chair, and makes you feel like you’re right there with her. Every chapter feels like a look into GG's heart — intimate, vivid, and so vulnerable. The way she shares her relationship with her mother and navigates the complexities of mental illness? Whew. It transcended the pages. I saw my own family, my own memories reflected back at me. I know there are so many of us who will see ourselves in these stories too.
GG is a remarkable storyteller — the kind that makes you smell the Blue Magic hair grease, hear the soundtrack of the 90s, and feel the weight of every moment. What stayed with me most was her invitation to lean into curiosity — one of my top character strengths — and her gentle observations that don’t force, just allow you to be. With each prompt, I could feel myself peeling back the layers of my own story and it felt really good to my soul. There are books about self-help and development… and then there’s this one. Those books are like chicken broth. Warm and will hold you over. This book is like a hot bowl of good Southern chili with a side of grandma’s cornbread. You will leave filled with healing and it’s going to stick to your bones.” — Chianti Lomax, executive coach and author of Evolving While Black: The Ultimate Guide to Happiness and Transformation on Your Own Terms

upcoming workshops

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. Come write with us!

Writing the Layers Freewriting Workshop

Friday, June 6 from 7 - 8 pm et (open to all subscribers)

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 the monthly prompt list. Participants have the opportunity to write, share, listen, offer supportive feedback, and come away feeling inspired and replenished. Sharing is optional.

Writing About Mental Illness (via The HerStories Project)

Friday, June 20 from 11 - 12 pm et ($25)

Whether you have experienced mental illness personally or have a loved one with mental illness, writing about it can help you process the challenges and inner conflicts while creating powerful narratives that reduce stigma and stereotypes. In the spirit of healing through storytelling, participants will write about how mental illness has directly or indirectly affected their lives.

You will learn creative ways to practice self-discovery through writing and turn personal experience into art, and you will come away with notes for a rough draft in whatever genre you choose. For inspiration, we will read excerpts from different authors who have approached the topic in different ways. Everyone who registers will receive the recording and writing guide.

Author Visit w/ Rowana Abbensetts- Dobson

Saturday, June 21 from 11 am - 12 pm et (open to all subscribers)

Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson

is a wordsmith and editor from Brooklyn, NY. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Kenyon College. As a lifelong writer, she has made it her mission to help women heal through telling her own story and inspiring others to do the same. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of Spokenblackgirl.com, a publication designed for women of color to share mental and emotional holistic wellness experiences. We will be chatting about her creative journey, process, and experience writing her novel, Departure Story.

Vulnerability in Personal Storytelling (via The Writer’s Center)

Sundays, June 22 & 29 from 11 - 1:30 pm et ($115)

Explore the therapeutic benefits of writing with vulnerability while developing ideas for writing projects.

We will explore self-healing and cathartic storytelling through writing. We will look at our lived experiences to find meaning and wisdom through the expressive writing method, a well-researched practice that leads to creative expansion and healing narratives for adversity, trauma, grief, and loss. Participants will learn how to view creative vulnerability as an act of generosity to oneself and to others. On the first day, writers will receive instruction and start a rough draft of a personal story. On the second day, they will share their work and receive feedback.

We will address questions such as:

How do I write about sensitive topics without doing harm to myself? How do I know when I’m oversharing? What about the other people that are involved in the things I want to write about? How do I turn a raw journal entry into a piece for publication?

Life as a Creative Process — Mid-Year Check-In

Wednesday, July 2 from 6 - 7: 30 pm et (paid subscribers)

The Life as a Creative Process series is about building a creative process that is so intertwined with healing, self-care, and personal growth that it becomes a sustainable and prioritized part of your lifestyle, helping you stay committed to your intentions throughout the year.

In this session, we’ll revisit the intentions you set at the beginning of the year and reflect on how you've navigated the challenges and the wins that have occurred so far. The goal is for you to leave with renewed clarity and practical ideas for staying committed to your creative practice—no matter the peaks, valleys, or plateaus that the rest of this year brings. We’ll work on reflection prompts together to support your creative momentum moving forward.