Free-Range Women’s Writing Circles

What is Free-Range Writing?

Free-Range Writing is a transformative timed writing process that we use to uncover the stories we yearn to tell and a way to make meaning out of our lives.

What are Free-Range Women Writing Circles?

Free-Range Women’s Writing circles are nonjudgmental places where transformation and healing can occur. It’s a simple process: listen, write, read, and witness. We learn to bypass the critical mind and let the pen fearlessly take us where our soul leads. This space is intimate, safe, and sacred. There is no judgment here. No critique. There is no pressure to write well, only to write truthfully. Also, there’s no homework! The only commitment required is you show up to class once a week to write honestly.

In Free-Range Writing, we write as fast as we can, for 15 minutes, the pen never leaving the page. By writing so quickly, we can push past our inner critic, ego, and all the ways we stay trapped when trying too hard to look or sound good. With permission to write as poorly as possible, our bellies hanging over our pants, we can say “yes” to the words and stories coming through us.

The practice is simple but the magic that happens when we gather is anything but. There is no judgment. No critiques. We simply write, share, and bear witness to others as they courageously do the same. There is no pressure to write well, though we may end up writing ourselves well.

Free-Range Writing is for anyone, whether you’re a novice or have published your third book.

These writing circles are for you if:

You are a patient or caregiver dealing with a significant illness and want to regain control of your narrative and express the unvarnished truth of what you’re dealing with.

You are facing a difficult challenge, such as loss, grief, or loneliness, and want a supportive place to explore your sadness, anger, confusion, and other emotions.

You are a new parent, an empty nester, recently married or divorced, experiencing a career reset, or going through a significant transition and trying to find your new bearings.

You are looking to jumpstart or get unstuck on a specific writing project and want to cultivate a practice that helps peel back the layers and get to the meat of what you are trying to express.

You yearn to be part of an intentional community that values honesty and authenticity during these crazy, uneasy times.

Whatever your reason, Free-Range Writing Circles will help you find yourself and your people.

Free-Range Writing Women’s Circles and Healing Circles are small by design. Like witches in a coven mixing a brew, we gather (in person or online), each bringing our unique ingredients to the cauldron: our lives, our stories, our grief, our hopes. We can’t mix the brew without you. Will you join us?

These 90-minute sessions take place in real-time over Zoom and are limited to eight participants each. In each session, you’ll have the opportunity to write and share from the comfort of your home with an intimate cohort of kindred spirits from across the globe.

Wanna see a sample of my own Free-Range Writing? Click here.

Are you ready to commit to being an ongoing part of this fantastic intentional writing community? Email me at meeshahalm@gmail.com to schedule a discovery call, reserve your spot, or sign up for my mailing list.

https://mailchi.mp/2ffe034d2e5c/writing-circles-newsletter-sign-up

Are you or someone you know curious about joining my writing circles? I frequently host free Taste of Free-Range Writing workshops. Discover the therapeutic joy of letting your creativity roam free. This one-hour online workshop will be live and open to all new, current, and former students.

No experience is required—just an open heart, mind, and good Wi-Fi. I’ll introduce the practice, provide an evocative poem prompt, and guide you through a writing session. After, you’ll get a chance to share your writing with the group. (That’s where the real magic comes in.) Join us to write, share, and connect.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE SPRING SESSIONS

Session 3: Spring 2024 8 weeks (Zoom): March 20-May 8, Wednesday lunch break, 12 noon–1:30 pm PST, Cost: $360 (almost full)

Session 4: Spring 2024 6 weeks (Zoom): March 26-April 30, Tuesday mornings 10–11:30 am PDT (1-2:30 pm EST/7 pm- 8 pm SAST), $270 (a few spots left!)

Session 5: Spring 2024, 6 weeks (Zoom): March 27-April 30, Wednesday evenings, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm PST, $270

NEW: In-person women’s writing circle, San Francisco, 8 weeks: STARTING SOON, Tuesday evenings, 7:00 pm–9:00 pm PST, Cost: $360 (or two payments of $180). We’ll gather around my dining room table, sit elbow to elbow, and write our hearts out. Space is limited and will sell out quickly. DM me if you’re interested in reserving a spot.

Healing Writing Circles for Patients, Survivors, & Caregivers, time & date TBD One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with cancer and other significant illnesses is the sense of a loss of control. Doctors are the cancer experts, but we’re the experts of our own bodies and emotions. One of the most powerful tools a cancer patient can employ is self-expression.

Scientific studies have backed this up, demonstrating that expressive writing can be a powerful healing modality. If you are a patient or caregiver and want a supportive place to explore your sadness, anger, joy, ambivalence, and other emotions stemming from your diagnosis, this circle is for you. Contact me at meeshahalm@gmail.com.

Here’s what students are saying about my writing circles:

“A diagnosis can alter your life down to your cells. Meesha’s class offers a gift to her students. A space to be honest, a place to unload a burden that no one else needs to hold, and an opportunity to meet creative friends who will move with you past the cliche, “You are not alone.” Free-Range Writing encourages you to tap into parts of yourself you didn’t realize were there, giving you genuine strength. If you stumble into the opportunity to write with Meesha, say yes, and you will transform.
– Jenny, elementary school teacher

“Meesha’s Free Range Writing Circle is truly a gift. I went into the class with the intention of just practicing my writing and figured it would help motivate me to get words on paper each week, the class provided that incentive and more. Meesha’s calm guidance helps each participant reach deep into our heart and write what is really on our minds. The circle felt intimate and supportive (even over Zoom). The process of writing, reading and having witness to my words helped to heal parts of me I didn’t even know existed. We all cried at least once, we laughed at the little things in life and I really came away with a sense of accomplishment for getting my story onto paper. Who knew 1.5 hours a week of writing furiously, pen to paper, could really transform my perspective on life.”
— Kelsey, urban watershed planner

“Joining Meesha’s Free-Range Writing circle has been a powerful experience. She creates a safe, non-judgmental space for women to explore the beauty, magic and melancholy of anything and everything that comes up when we write deeply from our souls. I always leave our sessions spent but lighter, and with a bit more insight into myself.”
– Kristine, creative director

“I am so grateful to have found Meesha’s Free-Range Writing Circle! My journey in her sessions has been one of discovery and growth. I went in thinking about myself one way and uncovered new and fascinating things that I had not expected to think or feel. To be in the company of other brilliant and generous members has been a blessing. I appreciate the safe space to share and explore my thoughts, feelings, and dreams. I am making Free-Range part of my self-care regimen.”
– Molly, analyst

“Meesha’s Free-Range Writing circles allow me to drop into feelings and thoughts and put them on the page with no fear or concern about whether what I write is good enough. When I hear other participants share their short pieces I am touched by their vulnerability and it gives me permission to fully express myself.”
— Lauren, PainterDancer, artist, and creative facilitator

“Meesha is a talented leader whose kindness and care will help you know yourself more deeply. She creates a supportive and generous space that allows you to be vulnerable and show up as you are. ”
– Dayna, author

“This was totally out of my comfort zone and I’m so glad I did it. I had an emotional release that I did not know I needed. Unfortunately, this morning I found out that my CEA jumped quite a bit after my short stint dancing with NED. I feel compelled to get the journal out and continue writing. Thank you for providing me with and encouraging this new outlet. My resistance to writing is generally due to my perfectionism so the Free-Range Writing was liberating. Meesha, thank you so much.
– Samantha, patient

Teacher and Facilitator Training:

Certified Wild Writing Teacher, Wild Writing Teacher Training with Founder Laurie Wagner, Winter Cohort 2022

Certified Facilitator, Storytelling Facilitating Stories for Impact, Real Food, Real Stories, Fall Cohort 2018

Healing Global Circles, Host Training, Winter Cohort 2024

Certified Empowered Patient Leaders, PALTOWN, Fall 2022 Cohort

PREVIOUS WRITING CIRCLES

Session 1: Early Winter 2024 8 weeks (Zoom): January 17-March 6, Wednesday lunch break, 12 noon–1:30 pm PST, Cost: $360 (or two payments of $180) * FULL *

Session 2: Early Winter 2024 8 weeks (Zoom): January 17-March 6, Wednesday evenings, 6:30 pm–8:00 pm PST, Cost: $360 (or two payments of $180) * FULL *

Early Fall 2023 6-Week Session 1 (Zoom): Sept 13-Oct 18, Wednesday lunch break, 12 noon–1:30 pm PST, Cost: $270 * FULL *

Early Fall 2023 6-Week Session 2 (Zoom): Sept 13-Oct 18, Wednesday evenings, 7:00 pm–8:30 pm PST, Cost: $270 * FULL *

Late Fall 2023 6-Week Session 3 (Zoom): Nov 1-Dec 13, Wednesday lunch break, 12 noon–1:30 pm PST, (No class on Nov 25, the week of Thanksgiving), Cost: $270 * FULL *

Spring 2023 8-week Session 1: April 18- June 6, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST, Cost: $360 * SOLD OUT *

Spring 2023 8-week Session 2: April 18- June 6, Tuesday brown bag edition, 12 noon – 1:30 pm PST, Cost: $360 * SOLD OUT *

Winter 2023: 8-week Session 1: Feb 7th-April 4th, Tuesday evenings, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST, no class on Valentine’s Day, 2/14. * SOLD OUT *

Winter 2023: 8-week Session 2: Feb 7th-April 4th, Tuesday brown bag edition, 12 noon – 1:00 pm PST, (all the magic in less time!), no class on 2/14. * SOLD OUT *

Free-Range Writers Reunion, 1-day workshop: Monday, Jan 9th, 11 am-1:00 pm PST * SOLD OUT *

Summer 2022: 4-week session: Tuesdays, July 19-August 9, 11 am-12:30 pm PST * SOLD OUT *

Spring 2022: 3-week session, Mondays, May 2-16, 11 am-12:30 pm PST * SOLD OUT *