Fire Starters 2024 Waitlist
Hi there; we are not currently registering participants for our next Fire Starters workshop. However, it’s sure to sell out when the doors open, so use this area to join the Fire Starters Waitlist in order to have dibs on a seat (space is limited to 10). Note: joining the waitlist does not guarantee your spot nor obligate you to join the series. ~ April
What FIRE STARTERS is all about:
Take a memoir piece from prompt to published in a fun group setting!
What most writers lack is time - Fire Starters will help you designate and commit to taking that time, to cultivating a rich writing practice. You'll have many opportunities over 8 weeks for real concentration amid a cohort of others who are wholly focused on writing and refining their writing (you’ll learn how to critique your group-mates’ writing which will help your own writing!) . Even though you will be writing in different locations, the fact that our whole group shares the same intention will help you reach your goal of finishing a piece (or more than one!).
Write the essays you've been meaning to write, or begin your book at last!
We'll begin the series with writing prompts and studying memoir essays to get your creative juices flowing, followed by a full-day writing retreat where you'll be able to really devote time to your writing. During the retreat, you can sign up with me for one-on-one coaching. We can brainstorm your piece together, find personal writing prompts just for you, or discuss whatever writing issue is utmost on your mind. Following the retreat, you will continue to receive writing support via our Facebook group and optional live group writing sessions.
Next, we'll critique each other's work and help one another take a piece to the next draft stage. As a critiquer, you'll learn to help your fellow writers identify what their story is about (what urgent question is being asked, answered, and what's at stake?), what parts worked, and where we'd like more details.
Finally, we'll share our finished pieces aloud in a fun Zoom party! Think grown-up piano recital from those music lessons you took as a kid.
There is no requirement to write about your cancer experience, but if you choose to, you're in perfect company to do so. Fire Starters is specifically designed for personal narrative writing; no fiction please.
Fire Starters includes:
Writing prompts, tips, inspiration, and essays for study
Friendly, nurturing group critiques & critique instruction
One-day writing retreat with one-on-one laser coaching time with me (including tips for virtual retreat success)
Private, pop-up Facebook group for building connection with your cohort
Weekly live group write sessions (optional)
A final storytelling recital event
"Fire Starters" notebook & pen
Limit 10 participants
Price:
$750 for 8 weeks of support for your writing aspirations (divided into 3 monthly payments).
Classes will be held on Zoom. Dates TBD.
Hear what past students are saying:
Student Testimonials (short video)
We will meet 8 times
Small class size (no more than 10) enables us to get to know one another in a more intimate setting and provides the most time for discussion possible.
All stages of breast cancer welcome.
Participants may be any age now, but were diagnosed under 50*. (If you’re older, and still want in, email me to discuss: editor@wildfirecommunity.org)
Ideally you have attended a Wildfire “Sparks” Writing Workshop six-week series in the past or are currently enrolled.
Your facilitator:
April Johnson Stearns, Founder, Editor-in-Chief, WILDFIRE Magazine. A lifelong writer, April was diagnosed at 35 years old with Stage 3 breast cancer that she found while breastfeeding her daughter. Four years later, while struggling to “go back to normal” and find other young women in similar circumstances, April launched WILDFIRE Magazine as a way for younger women to tell and read breast cancer stories. April believes strongly that helping women tell their stories has the dramatic effect of turning a traumatic cancer experience into an empowering one. April lives with her husband and young daughter on the coast of California. Although she loves town life, she also likes to get away from all the hustle and bustle whenever she can to hike in the woods, but writing remains April’s purest escape.
The workshop will take place online via Zoom. Although not required, headphones with a mic are helpful.
Praise from past workshop participants:
Our weekly writing time is my happy place. ~Anne
You balanced everything so nicely, sharing just enough of your own experience to where we all felt comfortable sharing ours. It felt very safe and I think that the way you facilitated it contributed to that. I would definitely do something like this again. I got a lot out of it and it made me want to try more writing exercises. ~Pamela
Thank you so much for the workshop and all that you are doing for the community of women living beyond a breast cancer diagnosis. I loved the prompts leading into the actual writing. It was very healing and has lead me to want to write and share more. ~Stacy
You gave me some ideas and permission to write things that don’t flow, connect or make sense to others. There is so much inside me that I wasn’t even aware of before my diagnosis. It is not necessary for others to “get it” or even read it. It’s for me. ~Suzanna
You have really reminded me how rewarding & healing writing can be. ~Kai
