-Racquel
The Write Gym by Writer’s Atelier is an ongoing program that helps writers stay accountable for their writing career goals. We are now in our third year! Think about it: exercise is critical to individual health. Even if you don’t hit the gym daily, you should visit it at least several times a week. Just as you need exercise, so you need writing exercise. Writing is a skill that can be perfected with regular practice. But the writing life doesn’t just involve writing, it involves hard work and dedication. Sometimes it means growing an online presence. Sometimes it means networking, socializing, and learning your craft. The Write Gym is a way for writers to get in there and create the writing life they want. In The Write Gym, you will stay motivated for the duration of the year if you commit to doing the work. We are helping you commit. Writers who sign up for the program will be part of a private Facebook group. There will be weekly goal setting, weekly check-ins, weekly writing prompts and inspiration to keep you writing no matter what, and monthly Facebook lives with WA Founder, Racquel Henry.
Why join The Write Gym?
Sometimes, you just need a support system. It’s a little-known fact that when you have friends along with you on the journey, you’re more likely to stay focused. You’ll also be surrounded by like-minded individuals who have similar goals and interests. The point of this program is to hold you accountable for your own writing, but that will be much easier when you have other writers cheering you on along the way.
Who is The Write Gym for?
This program is for both new and established writers. Skillset is irrelevant since the point is to actually commit to your writing career and achieve writing goals.
What will we be doing on monthly Facebook Lives?
Monthly FB Lives are your time to shine or discuss struggles. Here you can talk about how you crushed a goal, and maybe it might help another writer. You can disclose breakthroughs. If you’re having a hard time keeping up or have a particular problem with your writing (plot, character, setting, etc.) you can also express that, and maybe we can help you iron it out. Racquel will answer your questions on Facebook Lives.
Why am I paying this fee when I can do this myself?
It’s true, this is probably something that you can do on your own. The thing is, most writers, and individuals in general, lose sight of their goals after January of the new year. The point of our program is to keep the momentum going to the end of the year, regardless of your writing career goal. Plus, chances are, you’re going to stick with it if you put your money where your mouth is and if you have a supportive community. Additionally, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that your money will help a small business succeed, which will also help us better serve the writing community.
What you get:
- Access to a writing professional/coach: Racquel Henry (bio below).
- Free printable worksheets that will help you create yearly, monthly, and weekly goals.
- Monthly reflection printable that will help you take note of your achievements, but also identify areas for improvement.
- Weekly accountability threads where you’ll post your goals for the week.
- Weekly check-in threads where you’ll post your accomplishments for the week.
- Monthly celebration threads—you’ll post your photos and videos of how you’re rewarding yourself for smashing your monthly goals!
- Weekly writing prompts, writing quotes and inspiration.
- Camaraderie. You’ll have the chance to network with other writers and build friendships within the group.
- Monthly Facebook Live chats with Racquel or guest speakers.
- Short pre-recorded bonus videos with strategies & tips for writing success.
- Monthly office hours for questions and writing concerns.
- Twice a week write-ins/revise-ins via our Facebook Group.
Racquel Henry is a Trinidadian writer, editor, and writing coach with an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She spent six years as an English Professor and currently owns the writing studio Writer’s Atelier, in Maitland, FL. In 2010, Racquel co-founded Black Fox Literary Magazine, where she still serves as an editor and recently joined Voyage YA Journal as Editor-in-Chief. Since 2013, Racquel has presented and moderated panels at writing conferences, residencies, and private writing groups across the U.S. She is the author of Holiday on Park, Letter to Santa, and The Writer’s Atelier Little Book of Writing Affirmations (Writer’s Atelier Books, 2018). Her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction has appeared in Lotus-Eater Magazine, Reaching Beyond the Saguaros: A Collaborative Prosimetric Travelogue (Serving House Books, 2017), We Can’t Help it if We’re From Florida (Burrow Press, 2017), Moko Caribbean Arts & Letters, among others. When she’s not writing, editing, or coaching writers, you can find her watching Hallmark Christmas movies.