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Hi. I'm Jenna McGuiggan.
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What Students Say....

"I am still amazed at the sheer amount of amazing (and totally usable/practical/universal) content you provided in Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing. It was so full of goodness. I'm not sure I conveyed how satisfying it was to take part and access your brain for those weeks of writing." ~Meredith Winn, featured guest and course participant

"This class is amazing, and you are an amazing person and gifted teacher." ~ Ell C.

"I really appreciated your feedback! Your words were not at all what I had expected; my writing experiences have been met with red pen/pencil and all the things that are wrong... Your feedback was gentle and very encouraging!" ~ Lisa Lewis
 
"I'm really enjoying Jenna's Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing course. I've loved Jenna's writing for a while now, so I was super excited to take the class and learn from her. The e-course is not only well-organized but it's inspiring, filled with interesting prompts and insights and really dissects the art of writing. I love that Jenna features a variety of different experts to lend their insights, too. While I haven't finished the course yet, I can already say without hesitation that I highly recommend it." ~ Margarita Tartakovsky

"Thank you for hosting this safe place to come, learn, share, be inspired and not be afraid. Thank you for offering Alchemy and Alchemy Daily. I continue learning ways to weave my words together and hope someday to have a tangible tale upon which to look back. Your teachings here have offered me more eggs to add to my creativity nest. I am excited for what is yet to come." ~ Kristina Wood

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing

 

A four-week online course to help you start writing now

Registration for this class is currently closed. Please join my mailing list to hear about future classes and workshops.

OVERVIEW

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing is a fun, gentle, and inspiring course for writers & wish-to-be writers who want to do the following:

  • Overcome the fear that blocks your creativity.
  • Find the stories around and within you.
  • Uncover and use your writing voice(s).
  • Explore your unique creative process.
  • Give yourself the time, space, and permission to write.
  • Connect with other writers in a private online community.

THE STORY

What holds you back from writing?

Fear?
Shyness?
Feeling stuck?
Not knowing what to write?
Wondering if you have anything worth putting into words?

I get it.

I've struggled with all of these things. Truth be told, I still have days when I struggle with them, even as "professional writer." But I've learned some ways to move past, around, and through these creative roadblocks, and I'd like to share them with you.

I designed Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing as an easy-going and accessible way to overcome your writing blocks. It's designed for people who want to start writing for the first time or for the first time in a long time.

Each week we'll explore one foundational aspect of the writing process, open ourselves to inspiration, and give ourselves the time, space, and permission to write. You'll choose the kind of writing you want to do, maybe blog posts, essays, stories, or poetry. It's up to you. And if you have no idea where to start, fret not! That's what this course is all about: getting started.

DETAILS & COURSE CONTENT

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing is held on a password-protected website that includes the course material, a bounty of writing resources, your own virtual writing notebook, and a private community space where you can connect with other Alchemists.

**During our time together you'll start writing by looking at these weekly themes.

  • Week 1: Finding your stories 
  • Week 2: Exploring your process
  • Week 3: Using your voice(s)
  • Week 4: Delighting in language

**Each week you'll receive at least one of each of the following pieces:

  • Written post with the weekly "lesson" (always something useful and inspiring; nothing dry or boring here!)
  • Exercise or prompt designed to get you writing
  • Nugget of encouragement
  • Fantastic bonus (such as video and audio treats, inspirational guest interviews, and other fun goodies)

**Ebook: At the end of the course you'll receive an ebook of the course material to keep.

**Private sessions: You also have the option to register for individual coaching or editing sessions with me at a discounted rate. (Details are in the registration section below.)

WHY "ALCHEMY?"

Alchemy: a power or process of transforming something common into something special

In this course:
Something common = words
Something special = your beautiful, meaningful stories

Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing is about the magical transformations that happen within us and on the page when we allow ourselves to start stringing words together, delighting in language, and giving form to our stories.

IS ALCHEMY INSPIRATION: START WRITING RIGHT FOR YOU?

The material in Alchemy Inspiration: Start Writing is designed to benefit people in the introductory to intermediate stages of the writing life.

This course is meant for you if...

  • ...you long to write and need help getting started.
  • ...you long to write more and need help getting started, again.
  • ...you want to move past the fears that stop you from writing.
  • ...you're just dipping your toe into the writing waters.
  • ...you've written a little bit here and there, but you need direction and encouragement. 
  • ...you want to connect with other creative souls who are also exploring the writing life.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Before the course begins, you'll receive an email invitation with directions on joining the private course website and online community. All you need to participate is a computer with Internet access and an email address.

ARE THERE DEADLINES?

No. (Each week of the course includes at least one writing exercise or prompt, which you can complete at your own pace.)

WILL YOU GET FEEDBACK ON YOUR WRITING IN THIS COURSE?

No, not unless you add a private session to your registration. I don't give feedback or criticism on participants' writing in Alchemy Inspiration because this course is all about getting inspired and moving past fear to start writing.

But I do believe that feedback is a wonderful thing, and I love working with writers in this way. If you'd like feedback on your writing, you have several options: 1) Add a private session to your registration. 2) Register for Alchemy: The Art & Craft of Writing. 3) Join one of The Word Cellar Writing Workshops. 4) Join The Word Cellar Writing Guild.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions, please email me: jennifer{at}thewordcellar{dot}com.

REGISTRATION

Registration for this class is currently closed. Please join my mailing list to hear about future classes and workshops.