Start Here 2026 FHCWW

Class Options

There are 3 ways to take this class, and because I know life gets tricky, I have made it flexible for you to rotate between options.

• Live Online – Wednesdays on Zoom 7pm Central Time Zone Converter. Live class option allow you to connect and engage in real time. The discussion portion add real depth, and nuanced experience to the class. The discussions will not be recorded for privacy so the only way to benefit and participate is by being live in class. Past participants highly recommend this option.
• Self Led Online – watching the video links anytime. This option is great to let you set your own pace allowing you to binge or linger. This option also allows you to create your own writing retreat and get through a bunch of classes in a weekend. Past participants who have been live online will use this option to revisit and replay a particular class to pause and play to their personal healing/creative needs.
• Ireland In Person Group – Wednesdays 6:30pm-8:00pm and Conna Hall. This class is for Old Age Pensioners (OAPs) and led by Jackie. This program is sponsored by Gal’s Guide.

How to get the most out of this class

Much of any class you get out of it what you bring to it —and that’s not a cop out for me as a teacher, that’s me laying out a call to action for both of us. I’m here for 12 weeks to help you with you writing, healing and creativity. My main goal is to see you succeed in the goals that matter to you. We’ll talk about goals in Class #1. Let’s make this the most meaningful class experience you’ve ever had.

Before you start the classes, prepare a space. Find a quiet space you can have power for your online screen but also feel comfortable enough to close your eyes for meditations. It’s winter, maybe have a cozy blanket near by to wrap yourself in. Choosing a spot in your home with a door is ideal so you can feel your feelings with a soft barrier to the outside world. We’re gonna work through some hard stuff with the intention of make room for you to heal and be creative. Let the people in your home know (gently) that during class time you’re going to need that uninterrupted space. Previous participants have said they return to home life a little more refreshed, a little lighter.

Gather tools you like to use to write. If you would like to dedicate a specific writing journal to this class, have it ready. If you would like to have specific digital document folders for this class, create them ahead of class and add the downloads from your checklist into them.

Before each class give yourself a few minutes to have the materials you need. Each class will have a worksheet. Either have ready as a downloaded document or printed. You can use the worksheets or add your answers to a journal.

Come to class with the intention and a vibe; the intention to take time to work on your healing and creativity, the vibe like you are returning to a movie that comforts you. Yes, we’re gonna work on some ugly bits but we’re also going to heal, laugh, rest, rediscover parts we love about ourselves, and reconnect with the goodness in humanity.

Create a regular pattern. These classes are live on Wednesdays to create a mental pattern of “Wednesdays we write.” Participants have found that by class #3 they are quicker in the free write portion, there is less of a mental block of writing what ever comes to them. Your brain loves patterns, habits and ritual. The more consistent you are with creating writing time, the more you will be able to unlock your creativity and get your thoughts on paper.

Leave each class when you need to leave class. This is the great thing of an online class because I don’t need to close up the library. If the video is done but you are still working on a thought, a character, or a plot point keep going! Stretch that time as long as you can. Say, “class ran late” I’ll vouch for you! On the other hand, if life commands you to end the class at a certain time, make a note to your self of a picking up point, so when you come back you haven’t lost the creative thread. Replay the videos to ramp back up to speed.

Allow time to take care of yourself. This is the hardest part of this class. This is why there is always a bunch of people in class at the start and not all end the class — it’s really hard to take care of yourself. You start to feel guilty, others can make you feel guilty. This class is a oxygen mask, you have to put it on yourself first so you can assist others with their mask. Taking care of yourself, helps others. This class is intently designed so that the benefits you reach for yourself are deliverable to others.

Checklist

This checklist is if you taking this class live one by one or if you are traveling at your own pace and watching videos in a binge or linger fashion.

1. Bookmark important page – you’ll need to keep coming back to it, best to bookmark it. This is the page you want to bookmark with the password emailed to you.
2. Download the welcome kit – this includes writing prompts, class schedule, a certificate, printable stickers, and more. Click here to download the welcome kit.
3. Download the worksheets – Click here to download the worksheets. The link will also be available on the important page.
4. Join the online writing community – Gal’s Guide has a Discord server to connect our online community without the ads and public eyes like FB, IG, or X. It’s a private place to share feedback, ask for critique, ask questions, and talk with your fellow writers.
   • If you already have a Discord account join the Gal’s Guide server using this link https://discord.gg/DCdrxzn Then post “Writing Workshop Fun” and I’ll get you the private access to the writing channel.
   • If you are already on the Gal’s Guide Discord Server, post “Writing Workshop Fun” and I’ll get you the private access to the writing channel.
   • If you don’t have Discord yet, Discord is a free app that works much like Slack. Download free as a mobile app and/or free desktop. Once you have Discord installed then join the Gal’s Guide server using this link https://discord.gg/DCdrxzn
5. Starting Survey – I uses this survey to tailor the class to your needs. I am here to help you in the ways the benefit you. Surveys are also helpful for grants for Gal’s Guide to keep programs like this and a scholarship program going. Gals Guide keep surveys anonymous for your privacy. Click here to start the survey
6. If you have completed steps 1-5 you are now ready for Class #1. LIVE classes and self-led videos both start on January 7. All 12 class videos will be posted on the FHCWW important page on January 7.