Classes & Groups

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Upcoming Writing Classes

It is my goal to provide a safe, welcoming space to explore your creativity, connect with other amazing women and embark on a writing journey.
 
Details:
4-Week Writing Session, Limited to 4 participants
Thursdays, Feb 19 – March 12, 10:00am-12:00pm MT, on Zoom
Cost: $300
 
Format: Every class will begin with brief discussion of a literary excerpt (from writers including Annie Lamott, Liz Gilbert, Cheryl Strayed, etc). I will then offer an optional writing prompt, to help inspire creativity, and a centering meditation. 
 
The group will then have between 35-45 minutes of generative writing time. Some participants are working on memoirs, others use the time to journal or write first explorative drafts of essays, fiction, vignettes and/or poetry. 
 
In the last hour of class, you will have the option to share your work and give and receive support, encouragement and thoughtful responses with your peers. 
 
Participation: If you need to miss a class in the 4-week session, you will still receive the literary excerpt and writing prompt and you are welcome to email your writing to me/the group. 
 
Please reach out with any questions. 

 

“Life Review” Writing Group

The concept of a “Life Review” was developed by Robert Butler, as away to reflect on our lives, derive meaning, heal the past and create our vision for the future. By reflecting on the past and writing about it, participants create a cohesive narrative, creating more self-awareness and self-compassion.

The group meets for 8 weeks, receiving new journaling prompts each week, time to write, and the option to share and/or discuss. The journaling prompts move progressively, week by week, from childhood, through adolescence, and each decade of our lives, reflecting on family, friends, mentors, work, values and interests.

The group provides supported time to write, introspection, encouragement and connection. The guided journaling prompts help participants reflect on their lives, find healing and meaning in their past experiences, identify their values, honor their accomplishments, and visualize and move with intention toward their best possible future. 

Reach out for more information…

Grief Writing Group

Limited to five members, this 6-week online group provides a safe, supportive space to process your grief through writing, in a community with others who are also experiencing loss. No formal writing experience is necessary, just a desire to write. Each group will begin with a brief excerpt from a published author on an aspect of grief. You will then be given a writing prompt to explore your own grief journey, honoring your own unique loss. After each timed writing session, you will have the opportunity to share your writing in a compassionate, mindful environment, to connect with others, to know that you are not alone as you navigate the wilderness of loss. At the end of the 6 sessions, you will come away with a portfolio of creative, meaningful work.

To watch a video of Ashley giving a talk, “Writing Your Grief,” for the American Alpine Club, click here: Clubhouse Live: Ashley Shires and Andrew Bisharat

To register: Email Ashley.Shires@gmail.com