Write for Joy!
Let’s be real. The last three years have been… interesting.
You learned to survive in a new world. You adapted and overcame challenge after challenge.
Your creative work was pushed to the back burner. And now…
Stories and ideas are tugging at your heart, begging to get onto the page.
Your mind, body, and soul are ready to be replenished, and you’re READY to write.
If that sounds like you, then I have good news, dear one:
Join me on a 5-day journey to slow down, recenter, and access joyful FLOW through creative writing.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN FROM
THE WRITE FOR JOY CHALLENGE
Words on the page! When you show up for this challenge, you’ll write every single day using generative, soul-diving prompts that open your creative channels.
Access to your deepest wells of creativity and ability to easily tap into the flow state so you can start and finish writing projects with ease and joy.
A deeper understanding of yourself and the story you want to share.
Sacred writing time that feels like an energizing ritual you love showing up for, even on the hard days.
I learned how to find time to write and make writing a priority, so I've been blogging more and working on a novel. It's almost done!
Lou Anne Hostetler | Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry | Goshen, New York
I feel energized and more motivated for my own writing after the sessions with a group of us online.
Adrienne | Fiction | Henderson, Nevada
I’m getting back to a dream I had deferred.
Lisa | Fiction & Memoir | Rhode Island
I felt the enthusiasm Renee had, not just for my story but everyone's story. Her feedback was so helpful and definitely helping make me a better writer.
Colleen Schrader | Romance | South Bend, Indiana
HOW THE WRITE FOR JOY CHALLENGE WORKS
DAILY JOYFUL WRITING TALKS [VIDEOS]
You’ll receive a daily video on a specific writing theme (see themes below).
The talks are designed to inspire, energize, and recenter you into your writing routine.
Each video contains a reflection question and soul-diving writing prompts so you’re never short for ideas (bye, bye writer’s block!).
DAILY ZOOM GATHERING VIDEOS
The group will meet daily on Zoom for "Joy Gatherings."
You’ll connect and check in with the group for a few minutes, and then you’ll spend 30 minutes co-writing with other like-hearted writers.
You’ll meet with other joyful writers to learn, share challenges, ask questions, and co-write with JOY!
Calls are short and powerful — just 40-minutes — and I guarantee you’ll get words on the page.
A CLEAR ROADMAP FOR JOY & A SUSTAINABLE WRITING HABIT
Each day centers on a specific theme to help you access the flow state and use creative writing as a channel for joy.
You’ll learn the fundamentals to grow a consistent writing practice that nourishes. A routine that feels sustainable, aligned, and removes the pain of whipping yourself into the creative process.
SCHEDULE & THEMES
Challenge Dates: December 19-23, 2022
Zoom Gathering Time: 1:00pm-1:40pm Pacific time
Day 1 – Joy
Day 2 – Connection
Day 3 – Agency
Day 4 – Craft
Day 5 – Revolution
I'm so excited to get more active with my writing. I've loved the daily themes because they really speak to values I hold dear, but you've helped me feel closer to them and live them more fully! And I've been writing more!
Erin Raley | Lancaster, PA | Nonfiction
I love how this Challenge is bringing up more creativity in me. I know that the fact that I have been having really crazy dreams that I am remembering means that my creative juices are flowing again. Yay!
Julia Karr | Bloomington, Indiana | YA Dystopia & Fantasy
I feel so much more joyful! I didn't even have the courage to write but taking this course has helped me let go of my insecurities.
Marie | Bridgeville | Fiction
I see now that I can write, despite all the noise going on in my life.
Peggy DeBlois | Auburn, ME | Fiction
WHAT RESULTS YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS CHALLENGE
Here’s what other writers have reported after going through my free and paid writing programs:
• Confidence and strength to make writing a novel a priority.
• Getting back to a dream of writing she’d deferred.
• Digital magazines & blogs publishing her poetry, fiction, & nonfiction.
• Attracting more high-integrity clients in business because she’s more centered and fulfilled from creative writing.
• A habit of binge writing replaced with steady purpose and productive writing sessions.
• The ability to write with an open heart and not get bogged down with the fears that trifle with the process.
• Feeling like a “real writer.”
• The joy of being part of a community where everyone understands what you’re going through.
• More inspired and confident in her ability to create.
• Getting creative writing done before 2pm so she can spend guilt-free time with her partner in the evenings.
MEET YOUR STORY GUIDE
Hey there, storyteller. *Pours you a hot cuppa tea and gestures to the couch.*
I’m Renee––a writer, teacher, water baby, and founder of the Write for Joy! Challenge.
Things I love: my fur-baby Nala, scuba diving, podcasts, road trips, curling up with an adventure novel, and most of all…
Helping aspiring writers like you show up for yourself and joyfully finish the stories tugging at your heart.
I’m here to help you find more flow, feel good, and write more.
Over my 10 years of writing, teaching, and editing, I’ve helped countless writers find their voice, create more time to write, publish, and feel amazing.
Where and how did I learn to do that? Here’s a rundown of my experience:
I’m a passionate writer of nonfiction, fiction, and poetry with more than 30 pieces published online and in print
MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University
10+ years coaching & teaching writing to college students
Certified Master Level Writing Tutor through the College of Reading and Learning Association (CRLA)
In 2018, I left traditional academia and founded my writing coaching practice. Through my newsletter, free workshops, & paid programs, I’ve helped hundreds of writers grow more confident, create nourishing writing habits, and share their best stories with the world.
My superpower is helping writers like you feel seen, get clarity, tap into joyful flow, and create unstoppable momentum in creative writing.
But that’s just my résumé.
THE WHY BEHIND THE WRITE FOR JOY CHALLENGE
I created this challenge to give aspiring creative writers a significant boost of inspiration and support so they can write creatively with joy and ease.
Creative writing can be a wide, flowing channel for joy. When the channel is open, joy flows into every area of your life: work, home, and play.
The problem: most writers block that channel. They don’t feel like they’re allowed to be creative when there’s so much else to do. When the inner critic is raging away in the mind telling you you’ll never be a “real writer.”
I created this challenge because I want YOU to share stories straight from the soul.
The stories that bring you joy. The stories that readers will clutch to their chest and tell everyone they know: You’ve gotta read this! It changed my life!
I want you to change the world with your words and ideas.
Because more good stories create a more peaceful and joyful world. That’s my vision for our future. That’s my vision for you, storyteller. Let’s create it together.
ALL THE DEETS (FAQS)
How much does it cost?
The ticket price for the Write for Joy! 5-Day Challenge is $10 USD.
How long can I access the videos?
You can watch the videos for one week after the challenge concludes. Access to the videos will close on December 30, 2022.
Are the Zoom calls recorded?
No. Because the calls are 90% quiet co-writing, they will not be recorded. I encourage you to show up live and/or connect with your co-writers in the Virtual Coffee Corner!
Will you run this challenge again?
Maybe. I ran this challenge twice in 2021, though I don't have another challenge on the books for 2023. I encourage you to join now since it's possible this is the last round.
I've taken the Challenge before. Is this a repeat of what I've already learned?
No. This challenge has been revamped and overhauled. While the themes and teachings may overlap with past challenges, I can promise it will feel brand new to you.
Will this challenge actually help me write?
Yes. If you show up live to the co-writing calls and watch the daily videos, I guarantee you will get words on the page. Plus, it will feel great to write with a coach and like-hearted writers who root for your success.
I have another question.
Great! Text me your q at (909) 667-1789 or email me at renee@writeforjoy.co. I can't wait to chat with you.
(Message and data rates apply for texting.)
HAPPY WRITERS
My struggle to begin or binge write and inevitably burn out has been replaced with steady purpose and productive writing sessions.
Christal M. | Lynchburg, VA | Speculative Fiction, Poetry, & Nonfiction Writer
Working with Renee is “like winning the writing coach lottery!”
Lisa | Fiction & Memoir | Rhode Island
I loved being part of the community where everyone understood what you were going through. This camaraderie really made a difference to my motivation.
Nolene McLoughlin | Literary Fiction | Hillsborough, Ireland
I actually feel like I can do this and not like I'm walking this path to writing success alone. I'm less hard on myself in regards to my prose and I am more determined to finish my writing goals.
Nakia Steel | Mystery, Drama, Romance | Chicago, Illinois
The material and tools you learn here aren't just about honing your writing craft, but embracing it. Renee goes below the surface of the ‘just do it’ attitude and has you be honest with yourself about your passions.
YoLani M. | Science Fiction, Fantasy | Chantilly, VA
My writing is flowing. It feels good to be creative. As my job doesn't allow for it, I need a creative outlet in my life and writing allows me to do it. Thank you!
Danielle | Romance | LaCrosse, Wisconsin
I’m moving forward toward submitting more writing. I have confidence in what I'm doing and more drive to do it.
Jane P. | Essayist, Poet, & Fiction Writer | Poulsbo, WA
Renee has a real gift for opening the channel to your ability to work and not get bogged down with the fears that trifle with your process.
Carol Banks | Fiction & Poetry | Dahlonega, Georgia
My proudest achievement from this program is that I turned my morning pages into a piece I published on Medium.
Ryan French | Nonfiction | Arlington, Texas
Renee helped me get back to writing again after several upsetting experiences involving my writing. She assisted me in finding what works for me because not everyone can use the same approach or book suggestion to get unstuck.
Jessica | Fiction | Mishawaka, Indiana