W I L D   W R I T E S

We’re all full of stories, real and imagined, that will come pouring out with the right invitation.

 

Upcoming Workshops:

 
 

Wild Writes: Writing Workshops

These workshops are all about getting some words on the page while having fun. Together, we’ll write to prompts meant to help you loosen up and get into the flow.

  • Join me this summer for more wild writes sessions. We’ll write together to prompts meant to spark memory and imagination. After a few timed writes, we’ll share our work (if you choose) and respond to each other with positive feedback. This group might be for you if you’re looking for a dedicated time to write where you can experiment and take risks, a supportive community of writers, and immediate feedback. No previous writing experience necessary. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

    *A few high school students will be joining us this summer.

  • Friday, June 14th, 11am - 1pm PDT

    Friday, June 28th, 11am - 1pm PDT

    Friday, July 12th, 11am - 1pm PDT

    Zoom

    $25/session

    *high school students welcome

Past Workshops:

 
 

Wild Writes: Writing Workshop

These workshops are all about getting some words on the page while having fun. Together, we’ll write to prompts meant to help you loosen up and get into the flow.

  • Join me on May 31st for another session of wild writes. We’ll write together to prompts meant to spark memory and imagination. After a few timed writes, we’ll share our work (if you choose) and respond to each other with positive feedback. This group might be for you if you’re looking for a dedicated time to write where you can experiment and take risks, a supportive community of writers, and immediate feedback. No previous writing experience necessary. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

  • Friday, May 31st

    11am - 1pm PDT

    Zoom

 

Wild Writes: Joy

In this workshop, we’ll use our writing practice to sink deeply into the feeling of joy.

  • In this workshop, we’ll use our writing practice to sink deeply into the feeling of joy. The benefits of joy are endless and widely researched, but experiencing the fullness of joy doesn’t always come easily. As psychologist, Dr. Rick Hanson says, “The mind is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for the positive ones.” But we can cultivate more joy in our lives with practice. This is where writing comes in. Writing about moments of joy can deepen both our joy practice and our writing practice because both rely on paying careful attention. By capturing these moments with words, we stretch ourselves as writers and we feel into and savor joy which is a boundless gift. But don’t worry, I’ll offer prompts to help get us started. We’ll write together, read together, support each other with positive feedback, and I’m willing to bet we’ll laugh together too.

  • I’m leading this workshop as a part of Write Around the World, a fundraiser Amherst Writers & Artists holds every year to raise money for their social justice programs. The organization is deeply rooted in social justice and has spent decades honoring and celebrating the voices of hisorically marginzlied people. Tickets to all sessions are $20, $30, or $40 - your choice. All proceeds go directly Amherst Writers & Artists.

 

Wild Writes: Writing Your Birth Story

In this writing circle, we’ll write, share, and celebrate our birth stories – moving our stories from our bodies onto the page and into the circle where they will be received with love, acceptance, and admiration.

  • Of all the stories that make up a life, childbirth is one of the most profound. In this writing circle, we’ll write, share, and celebrate our birth stories – moving our stories from our bodies onto the page and into the circle where they will be received with love, acceptance, and admiration.

    Birthing a child is a beautiful rite of passage and writing your story can be a powerful way to help you process your experience. It can help you see your own strength and power. And it can invite healing into the tender places or your unique experience.

    This circle is for self-identified mothers who have given birth. There is not one way to give birth and all birth stories are welcome. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed since your baby was born. No writing experience is necessary.

  • Thursday, March 7th

    1pm - 2pm PST

    The People Place, Culver City

 

Wild Writes: Unresolved

Now that you’re written a few resolutions (or not), let’s write about what’s unresolved.

  • This two-hour generative writing workshop is a low pressure way to put some words on the page in the new year. I’ll offer a variety of prompts inspired by the theme, we’ll write together, take a short break, and then read and respond to each other’s writing with positive feedback. If you’re looking for a dedicated time to write in a supportive community where you get immediate and encouraging feedback, this might be the workshop for you. This workshop meets over zoom. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

  • Friday, January 26th

    11am - 1pm PST

    Zoom

 

Wild Writes: Winter Solstice

Let’s celebrate the winter solstice and close out the year by writing together in community one more time.

  • These two-hour workshops are all about having fun. Together, we’ll write to prompts meant to help you loosen up and expand creatively. After a few timed writes, we’ll share our work (if you choose) and respond to each other with supportive feedback. This group might be for you if you’re feeling stuck, if you want to write but don’t know where to start, or if you’re just in the mood to play. No previous writing experience necessary. This workshop is a freebie - my gift to you for the holidays. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

  • Thursday, December 21

    2pm - 4pm PST

    Zoom

 

Wild Writes: Fall Series

These workshops are all about having fun. Together, we’ll write to prompts meant to help you loosen up and expand creatively.

  • These two-hour workshops are all about having fun. Together, we’ll write to prompts meant to help you loosen up and expand creatively. After a few timed writes, we’ll share our work (if you choose) and respond to each other with supportive feedback. This group might be for you if you’re feeling stuck, if you want to write but don’t know where to start, or if you’re just in the mood to play. No previous writing experience necessary. There’s no need to sign up for every session in the series. Just choose the dates that work for you. The cost of each session is $25. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

  • September 8, 11am - 1pm PDT

    September 29, 11am - 1pm PDT

    October 13, 11am - 1pm PDT

    October 27, 11am - 1pm PDT

    November 8, 11am - 1pm PDT

 

Wild Writes: Writing Your Birth Story

In this writing circle, we’ll write, share, and celebrate our birth stories – moving our stories from our bodies onto the page and into the circle where they will be received with love, acceptance, and admiration.

  • Of all the stories that make up a life, childbirth is one of the most profound. In this writing circle, we’ll write, share, and celebrate our birth stories – moving our stories from our bodies onto the page and into the circle where they will be received with love, acceptance, and admiration.

    Birthing a child is a beautiful rite of passage and writing your story can be a powerful way to help you process your experience. It can help you see your own strength and power. And it can invite healing into the tender places or your unique experience.

    This circle is for self-identified mothers who have given birth. There is not one way to give birth and all birth stories are welcome. It doesn’t matter how much time has passed since your baby was born. No writing experience is necessary. This writing circle will be held over zoom. The cost is $40. Space is limited, so sign up to reserve your spot.

  • Sunday, October 22

    11am - 1pm PDT

    Zoom

“Writing is an animal that lives in the soul . . . Above all, it is wild.”

-Pat Schneider, Writing Alone & With Others

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “If you are scared to write, a seasoned writer or looking to discover the heart of your voice, Ashley is the perfect person to midwife it into the world.”

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “As someone who has been a writer for over a decade I was blown away by the voice I discovered while working with Ashley.”

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “Writing from this space felt like taking all of the logic out of it and writing from my soul. I left each week feeling inspired and filled with compassionate feedback.”

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “For me to join a writing circle felt similar to how many people who’ve avoided the gym for years feel going in for their first workout. Intimidation offered so many excuses to bail but I’m so glad I showed up and felt safe to begin to flex my writing muscles for the first time in a long time.”

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “I loved how it felt casual, not about the rules or structure of writing but to let the flow of writing just happen.”

  • What it's like to write with Ashley:

    “I am in love with this method. It has been so helpful to get me to actually write. And the positive feedback from peers is so encouraging.”

  • What' it's like to write with Ashley:

    “Ashley created a wonderful, safe, nurturing and supportive environment. It was my first time writing with this group and Ashley made it a pleasure.”