Group Spiritual Direction for Writers
The writing life can be a lonely life.
Several clients and Spiritual Direction for Writers Members have asked for a way to have more time, conversation, and connection with other writers, and now we have a great option for that.
Group Spiritual Direction for Writers will be an opportunity to notice how writing helps you belong to yourself, others, the divine, and the world while developing meaningful relationships with other writers who care about the intersection of art, faith, and mystery.
Because of the nature of group spiritual direction, current or former SDW Members who have been regular SDW Co-Writing participants at some point in the past will receive priority for group spiritual direction registration.
If you have never been a SDW Member and are interested in SDW Group Spiritual Direction, please email me at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com. We can set up a 15-minute call and see if it’s a good fit.
I love love love Group Spiritual Direction and am so excited to lead these groups. Each Cohort has four sessions that take place over three or four months.
I also offer Custom Group Spiritual Direction for Writers for existing writing groups, book clubs, Bible study groups, MFA cohorts, etc. Please email me at charlotte@charlotedonlon.com to discuss this option.
Anyone who’s not a current or former SDW Member can email me at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to set up an introductory call to make sure it’s a good fit.
*Please Note: Space is limited for all cohorts. Any cohorts with fewer than three participants by the end of the registration period will be canceled.
And, here's a bit more about how each SDW Group Spiritual Direction session will unfold. (If you use this format in any way, please credit Spiritual Direction for Writers.)
Group Spiritual Direction for Writers Process and Format
1. Arrival and Silence
Our time together will begin with a silence for about 5 minutes for people to still, settle, and gather their hearts into a common desire to notice how writing helps us belong to ourselves, others, the divine, and the world.
2. Sharing by One Person/Mini Spiritual Direction Session (arranged ahead of time) - 10 to 15 minutes
After gathering in silence, one participant will do a brief spiritual direction session with me while everyone else listens without interrupting. During this time, I will talk to this person about a topic or specific issue related to the writing life.
3. Brief Silence - 2 to 3 minutes
This silence is simply a time for making space for whatever might arise through the limits of biases and accustomed ways of responding so that individuals might respond to the conversation from a place of freedom and thoughtfulness.
4. Response - 10 to 12 minutes
This time is for everyone to share the questions or comments that came up during the previous spiritual direction conversation and/or time of silence. I will facilitate this discussion and encourage everyone to listen well and give attention to the flow of the whole group instead of having a personal agenda for the conversation or topic.
5. Brief Silence - 1 minute
During this time people are welcome to pray silently or take notes.
6. Reflection on the time together. 10 to 12 minutes
This reflection is not meant to analyze the time together or to control future outcomes. Instead, it is a gentle noticing and an honest sharing around what has been seen and heard. Whatever is addressed — silence, words, the human dynamics within the group — should be shared and received within a framework of belonging and kindness.
7. Silence - 2 to 3 minutes
Everyone is welcome to meditate or pray silently. I will offer a poem, quote, or art on the screen during this silence.
8. Closing Conversation Including Writing Life Updates from Each Participant - 15 to 20 minutes
I will facilitate as needed, but everyone will be welcome to talk about anything related to the group spiritual direction session, the writing life, etc.
Each session will last about an hour and 15 minutes. Participants need to arrive on time but are welcome to leave whenever they need to!
Charlotte Donlon helps her readers and clients notice how they belong to themselves, others, God, and the world. Charlotte is a writer, a spiritual director, and the founder of Spiritual Direction for Writers™ and Spiritual Direction for Belonging™ Her essays have appeared in The Washington Post, The Curator, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, Catapult, The Millions, Mockingbird, and elsewhere. Her first book is The Great Belonging: How Loneliness Leads Us to Each Other. She’s currently writing her next book, Spiritual Direction for Writers, which will be published by Eerdmans in 2024.