About us
Please note:
In addition to writing sessions and workshops, reiki classes will be coming soon, in early 2026!
Please consider joining us for one of our events. We do short timed writings together from writing prompts of various kinds, including a short list of words. We read our impromptu work out loud and receive good, specific feedback from the group, words or phrases that strike people, images, feelings the work evokes. (There is no critique, no advice for strengthening the writing, because this is spontaneous writing, not polished work.)
You don't need to be a writer in order to join us for these events. I am a big believer in Brenda Ueland's claim that "everyone is talented, original and has something important to say" (If You Want to Write, Graywolf Press). And if you are already a fan of Peter Elbow's "freewriting" or Natalie Goldberg's "writing practice," you may delight in the chance to do this in community. I believe there is a kind of alchemy that happens when we write together like this. I believe it can change us, as writers, as humans.
Note, I've been on a long hiatus, but am returning now (fall of 2025), and we're about to begin a yearlong celebration titled Full Circle: Honoring the Turning of Our World. Please join us for the first session on November 2, 2025.
In addition to these ongoing writing sessions, we hold other meetings and workshops periodically, including the occasional retreat and workshops on various aspects of both the process and the craft of writing. (Also, as noted above, reiki classes will begin early in the new year!) Please check the events page here for upcoming offerings.
If you are interested, do please sign up here for my email mailing list. If you signed up for this previously, please do so again! I'm incredibly sorry to say my former MailChimp email list now exists only in the ethers. :(
https://499words.org/email-form/
All good wishes,
Riba
***
Riba Taylor
Desert Writing and Reiki Group
WordPress site:
https://noholdsbarred.blog/
Upcoming events
2
Imbolc / Brigid's Day — Full Circle: Honoring the Turning of Our World
·OnlineOnline$29 for this session / $202 for the remaining seven sessions
paypal.me/RibaTaylor
(Please send your fee via the link above and THEN RSVP here on Meetup. Thanks.)Hi everyone! I'm inviting you to the next celebration of the turning of our world, the changing movement of our year.
This is considered the beginning of spring, the cross-quarter holiday midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Depending on where you live, you may have to hunt for signs of spring. The days are growing longer, the light is changing, the earth is showing new signs of life.
Please join us in the wonderful alchemy of writing together in our notebooks, reading our work out loud, creating other magic rituals and building connection and community on this holy day.
Riba
(Note, I'll ask for cameras on in Zoom for this communal work. Thank you! And I currently have one donated "scholarship" spot available. If you'd like to offer an extra spot, too, please use the same PayPal link at the top and indicate the extra donation in your PayPal note. I'll keep a running tab of these.)
SAVE THE REMAINING SESSION DATES!
Full Circle
Sundays
9:30am to 12:30pm Pacific Time
March 22, 2026 (equinox)
May 3, 2026
June 21, 2026 (solstice)
August 2, 2026
September 20, 2026 (equinox)
November 1, 20263 attendees
Spring Equinox / Ostara — Full Circle: Honoring the Turning of Our World
·OnlineOnline$29 for this session / $177 for the remaining six sessions
paypal.me/RibaTaylor
(Please send your fee via the link above and THEN RSVP here on Meetup. Thanks.)Hi everyone! I'm inviting you to the next celebration of the turning of our world, the changing movement of our year.
The spring equinox is one of the two days each year when the day and the night are equally balanced. Now there is no doubt the daylight has been growing steadily. It can be an exciting, changing time of the year, full of hope and promise.
Please join us in the wonderful alchemy of writing together in our notebooks, reading our work out loud, creating other magic rituals and building connection and community on this holy day.
Riba
(Note, I'll ask for cameras on in Zoom for this communal work. Thank you! And I currently have one donated "scholarship" spot available. If you'd like to offer an extra spot, too, please use the same PayPal link at the top and indicate the extra donation in your PayPal note. I'll keep a running tab of these.)
SAVE THE REMAINING SESSION DATES!
Full Circle
Sundays
9:30am to 12:30pm Pacific Time
May 3, 2026
June 21, 2026 (solstice)
August 2, 2026
September 20, 2026 (equinox)
November 1, 20261 attendee
Past events
195
