My Approach as a Facilitator

I resonate deeply with Angeles Arrien’s credo to “walk the mystical path with practical feet,” and that spirit guides everything I offer.

For over two decades, I’ve held space for women (and a few brave men!) navigating growth, creativity, healing, and transition — as a teacher, facilitator, depth coach, and guide. My work weaves intuitive listening, nature-based wisdom, archetypal insight, and grounded life experience. 

I bring both lived understanding and practical tools.

I offer steady companionship, clear reflection, and a safe space for you to reconnect with your own inner authority.

Since 2016, I’ve facilitated seasonal retreats on the land I call home in Eagle, Wisconsin, nestled near the Kettle Moraine State Forest. I hold deep respect for this land and honor that it rests on the traditional territories of the Peoria, Sauk, Meskwaki, Potawatomi, and Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux) peoples. 

• Meets from 6:30-9 pm US Central Time with a short biobreak about halfway through
• Brief check-in on how the writing is going, how you are
• Opportunity to share your writing (up to 3 pages, 12 pt. Times New Roman, double-spaced; reading the equivalent from your journal). 
• Offering supportive feedback to other writers (what resonated & what you would like more of as a reader) while also honing your writer's "eye" 
• Writing tips and advice based on your questions and sharing
• Writing prompts to get your pen to paper
• All levels and styles/genres welcome
• Occasional links, recommendations and guided meditations for your inner writer
• Limited to 8 writers
• An encouraging and supportive circle of other writers!

 
PS Closing with encouragement from writer Roxane Gay:

“One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as a writer is to take yourself seriously. This does not mean you should take yourself too seriously, but it does mean that if you love writing, if you put in the work of writing, you are a writer. You don’t need to ask anyone if you can call yourself a writer. You don’t need to reach a certain publishing threshold. So long as you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, you are a writer.

And if you are a writer, you want to respect your craft the same way you respect the other important things in your life. Make time for your writing whether it’s writing itself, reading, participating in the literary community or anything else that contributes meaningfully to your creative life. Write regularly, which does not mean you need to write every day but does mean that your work will be stronger if you are consistent. When you make a time to write, honor that commitment to yourself and your creative work as much as you honor all the other commitments in your life."

from here: https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/p/day-2-1000wordsofsummer-2022

About Me 

Since 1998, when I taught my first writing class, I have been passionate about inspiring others to write. I have taught more than 1,000 writing students, spoken at writing conferences (including the Midwest Writer's Conference, Great Lakes Writer's Conference and Fox Valley Writer's Conference) and have been a book "doula" and developmental editor for almost a dozen published books. My strengths are being an inspiration catalyst and encouraging cheerleader for writers. I am the author of two books — Flowering Wisdom: Inspiring Thoughts on Life, Love and Blooming Big (Self-Published) and Everybody Loves Ice Cream: The Whole Scoop on America's Favorite Treat (Emmis Books) and the past editor-in-chief of Ohio Magazine, an award-winning 100,000 circulation magazine featuring the best of the Buckeye State. My varied background also includes public radio producing, newspaper reporting, magazine writing, and corporate communications. For the past decade, my focus has been on serving creatives and spiritual seekers through my shamanic-based energy work, intuitive guidance and Human Design readings and in offering seasonal retreats for inner listening, community sharing and creative ritual at her home in the forest of southeastern Wisconsin and via Zoom. 

What Past Writing Students Have Said…

Thank you, Shannon, for holding the space so we can be good writers influenced by your wise teaching and your strong support of our creative expression. You are a gift to all of us. — Rosemary

I can honestly say you were the one who really got me to enjoy writing again, and I wouldn’t have
stuck with it without you. Thanks for all the help and encouragement. — Matt

Your teaching style is so positive and encouraging.   — Sue

I don't want to lose track of you because you are still the person in my life who most changed my life.  After 4 years, I'm still writing. — Mickie