What Participants Are Saying About

Written Into Being

I have participated in this workshop twice and it was only on my second try that I had mustered enough courage to read aloud my work. In class, we were given prompts to write and every time I am so moved by everyone's writing. I am also quite surprised at myself for rising to the occasion. I can call myself a writer now but I did not do this alone; I had the help of my classmates, community, and Giselle. Thank you for fostering an encouraging and magical space for us budding writers. Thank you for revealing the magic in us when we couldn't it see in ourselves… This workshop allowed me to bloom.

- Tina Phan

If you have been looking for a sign to tap back into your creative wellspring, this is it. Giselle's Written Into Being workshop was truly an answered prayer, coming from someone who had recently been struggling to reconnect with my identity as a writer. From the jump, she welcomes you into a safe, empowering community space and beautifully guides you through four weeks of introspection and creation. The live sessions were filled with bursts of near-magnetic creative flow, paired with the tender, vulnerable, inspiring words of strangers from around the world whose lives and stories suddenly felt not so distant from my own. I was floored by how quickly I felt myself being eager to share, by how instantly I was immersed in this loving digital space of community, and by how naturally poetry began to pour out of me again for the first time in years. This workshop truly came to me at the perfect time, at the cusp of my reclamation of self as writer, and gently helped awaken me to my creative self again. I'm convinced that Giselle really cultivates magic in this workshop.

- Meg Loughman

What Written into Being has proven to me is that consistency is what my creative life craves. Being a part of this amazing writing community is a Godsend. What Giselle put together is meaningful, enjoyable, and helped increase my belief in myself as a writer. Being a part of a writing community increases necessary accountability. The Written into Being experience is an unforgettable practice. In addition to the fun and original writing prompts, Giselle also shares thoughtful exercises to keep your creative juices flowing in between the Sunday sessions. I recommend this experience to anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with themselves and their writing! Thank you, Giselle!!!

- Vicki Lyn Bass

Participating in this workshop was an absolute inhale and exhale moment for me. Connecting to people from all corners of the world while experiencing your own growth is not something that can be explained in words. I’ve already recommended to several friends who had described themselves as being stuck in their occupation/personal lives/artistic endeavors. I didn’t think I would be as invested in other people as I am. It started as a personal creative journey and I found myself cheering for others as much as I was rooting for myself. Thank you for having me.

- Aimee

This workshop was a catalyst for me. Being in community with so many earnest creative folks putting themselves out there to connect and refocus in a sincere, judgement free, growth-oriented space allowed me to give myself permission to create for the sake of creating. The immediate grace and acceptance I felt from Giselle, the other participants and the version of my self that they brought out in me has reminded me how fun and careless and casual making art can be. I have carried a lighter, more joyful energy with me ever since, both within and outside of my creative processes; and I have certainly increased the time I invest in my own playful, healing creativity. It was a beautiful reminder of how sacred my creative time is, and how much I needed to step out of the productive, commercial mindset in order to reconnect with it on an emotional level once again. I felt surprised that as I heard so many other talented writers I thought, "they're so good, and I'm holding my own!" I didnt realize that simply being in a peer-to-peer situation like that would help me see myself in a kinder light. I think I also surprised myself at how disconnected from the personal side of art I had truly become. I knew I was drifting far from myself in lieu of my professional creative self, but this was a huge wake up call. I am so eternally grateful.

- Katy Gaines

Written Into Being was a course like none other for me who is a published writer. The container was diversely peopled and felt very safe to share pieces written in the live classroom—in their most vulnerable state. Etiquette was impeccable. Giselle’s space holding caring and beaming integrity. The in-class exercises inspired writing I came away very proud of, and helped me dig into some of the rich places I hadn’t been able to connect with. I’m grateful to have shared space with so many writerly beings and witnessed their voices finding wings.

The best thing about the workshop was:

Accountability to my writing—it got me over a hump showing up in my professional work. Also though, the massive brilliance of others finding their voices. It gave me HOPE.

Was there anything that surprised you during this process (In general or about yourself)?

I was surprised at how my words flowed so easily from within me. I believe this is because the instruction and the company was so high quality and honoring of vulnerability.

If you were to recommend this space to someone, what kind of person would you imagine they are? Where are they in their lives?

The archetype I can imagine thriving in this space is young or young-spirited, with their finger on the pulse of today’s evolving world. Whether bold or reserved, this individual will want to grow their intimate relationship to their voice and gain respect for it. This person feels deeply.

- Pixie Lighthorse

I enjoyed seeing the work people made from the exercises outside of the workshop. Something that surprised me about others (and myself) is how our minds can hold so much talent and doubt simultaneously. I think the work/creativity/art is always there, the hard part is getting it out and believing in it enough to share.

- Lindi

I highly recommend this class, it was so special! Giselle is an incredibly supportive and thoughtful guide throughout the practice, and her assignments sparked so much creativity. I found myself exploring artistic mediums and fostering a sense of playful exploration that I hadn't dug into in ages. It felt so good! I was also thrilled to be able to connect with a new community of likeminded creatives who we're all in various stages of developing their creativity more. I was surprised by how vulnerable everyone was! it was beautiful and spoke a lot to how safe of a space Giselle created <3 What an amazing experience!

- Amanda K.

Written into Being helped me nourish the writer within. Giselle gives rich prompts that inspire plunging into the depths of the soul, and she provides just enough structure to make play and exploration possible.

If you were to recommend this space to someone, what kind of person would you imagine they are? Where are they in their lives?

They would be someone like me who loves to write but feels the need for structure to inspire and motivate.

The best thing about the workshop was:

The prompts gave me inspiration to write and the live workshop gave me the motivation to sit down at least once a week to write in a more structured way; I journal everyday but I’m looking to write more seriously as an author.

- Crystal

Giselle, you really created a space for artists to be themselves & accept themselves fully. Your vulnerability made us all soften, if there was any hardness. And, the intentional exercises you provided every week keep me coming back to them weeks out of the 4 week workshop. I'm very grateful to you but also our wonderful workshop friends who showed up for themselves when they could. It was a beautiful experience for me. Challenged & strengthened my ideas around my creative & fun life pursuits.

- Aisha Gallion

I wasn’t able to make it to all the sessions but thankfully Giselle recorded the sessions for people who couldn’t make it, that in itself I was like wow how thoughtful is she?! Super helpful and convenient, I was able to participate in the workshop at my own time, I felt like a part of the group even if I had missed the live session. The vibe of the group was so kind and welcoming. I really felt that everyone could in some way resonate with one another and was super mindful and respectful of our deep and vulnerable feels. Overall super grateful for this opportunity and Giselle’s style.

-Martha M.

This was a wonderful chance to explore creativity. The prompts were so fun and unusual (in a good way) and the community was safe and inspiring. I loved the prompts. So original and thought-provoking. It was so fun to see how everyone went in their own directions. I really appreciated how you called on people and made an effort to include anyone who wanted to share. I loved how you called on people who hadn’t spoken very much first. It made everything special and welcomed. I haven’t really written poetry in almost 20 years and it felt so good to be able to do that again and reconnect with that part of myself. Thank you so much, Giselle. <3

- Sarah

I was so inspired, thank you so much for this space ! So many inspiring voices… I enjoyed the writing prompts so much, truly looked forward to them every week, and the energy of the group helped me stay focused, as I struggled to write outside of it at times. I want to continue to participate!

- Maura

Written Into Being was a beautifully challenging experience that fostered connection and creativity amongst writers of all levels.

The best thing about the workshop was:

That's tough! So many beautiful things.. I loved your guidance, the poems you chose, how thoughtful the independent activities were, and sharing time

-Katy E.

An amazing experience. Nurtured my creativity, wonder, and joy. I am so grateful to Giselle and everybody in that beautiful and vulnerable space. I had a change in perspective about my writing and creativity. I remembered what is felt like to create with joy.

- kila