The amount of work I get done on a writing retreat is unmatched. That’s why I’m counting down the days until the next Busy Bee Writing Retreat, which is set for April 13-16, 2023.

The Busy Bee Writing Retreat is designed for working women who may be “short on time but long on creativity,” as the creator Coretta Collins likes to say. If you’re looking for a creative getaway for this spring, I’d love for you to join me.

Joining a writing group can be a game-changer for your writing.

In her book Writing Down the Bones, Natalie Goldberg says that we writers need to write with the whole world in our arms. I’ve long understood the importance of community for writers. In fact, that’s why I started See Jane Write.

I had just moved back to my hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, and I was looking for a writing group for women, one that would welcome multi-passionate writers who love poetry, creative non-fiction, blogging, and more. But I couldn’t find one. I searched for TWO YEARS. Then finally in 2011, I decided to start my own.

See Jane Write was born. And what started as a group for Birmingham-based writers, now has members across the country and around the world.

There are different types of writing groups. Some meet in person. Some meet virtually. Others do both. But the goal is the same — a group of writers gathers to write, give feedback, and offer encouragement.

Joining a writing group should definitely be on your end-of-the-year to-do list.