Writing from the Heart :
Gathering in our Harvest

Online Writing Retreat

23 – 24 October, 2026

A Zoom retreat with Tania Casselle

“The whole retreat was inspiring, uplifting, and energizing.”  Previous participant.

This online contemplative writing retreat is designed to invigorate our creative lives, soothe and support our hearts in these challenging times, and help us connect to the wisdom of the season.

We will meet via Zoom for 2 live writing sessions over 2 days for a total of 6 hours. (Times below.)

As the days shorten and the air turns crisp, we’ll gather for two restorative sessions of writing and reflection.  This October retreat invites you to slow down, turn inward, and draw creative warmth from the turning of the season.

We are moving into a season of remembrance and recollection, honoring our selves and our ancestors as we gather in the fruits of this year. In harmony with the falling leaves, it is also a season of letting go and gentle surrender — a time to honor what has passed and prepare for the deep stillness of winter.

In our two sessions we will write together and share our words in our virtual retreat community. Creative writing exercises and practices will explore various ways to free our natural flow of expression, bypass our inner critic, express our authentic inner voice and access our true source of creativity.

We’ll draw on mindfulness and other contemplative practices to help us drop below the surface of our busy lives to connect with the deeper river that flows and sustains us.  In these times, it’s more important than ever to keep a sense of balance and inner awareness, so these practices will not only stimulate the creative process, but help us center and ground ourselves.

We’ll connect to the taproot of our hearts to express via the intimacy of the page our grief, anger, fears, hopes and love for a world that sometimes seems bewildering.

I’ll encourage you to engage with your outdoor environment in some of our writing exercises, whether you step out into your backyard, patio or balcony, or just gaze out of the window.

This series of seasonal retreats is designed to harmonize with the turning of the seasons and draw on the wisdom of the natural world. A seasonal rhythm pulses beneath the noise and busyness of our modern life… a continuous drum beat… a heartbeat calling us home. However, it is too easy to lose touch with that heartbeat in our fast-paced world.

Can we maintain a deeper connection to our own hearts and the heart of the natural world amid the noise and polarities of the media and social media?

Come sip from the wisdom of the seasons, whether you join for just one retreat or have traveled with me through previous retreats!

The emphasis is on the creative process, in a supportive and inspiring atmosphere. Therefore there will be no critique of your writing. And if you don’t want to share your writing with the group by reading out loud, that’s fine too. Beginner writers and experienced writers are equally welcome… I just ask you to bring your open hearts and willing minds, a notebook and a pen!

HOW IT WORKS:

• We will meet by Zoom video calls.
• This is a live group experience, no part of the retreat is prerecorded.
• If you have to miss a session you can access the recording for 30 days.
• Spaces limited, a space is not guaranteed if you wait till the last few days to register.
• Full refund on cancellations on / by October 18.

“I loved connecting with other writers and there was a genuine atmosphere
of trust with one another that allowed us all to feel safe,
which gave us the courage to share our work.”
A previous participant.

SCHEDULE of 2 sessions over 2 days for a total of 6 hours:

Friday October 23 : 
6 pm – 8:30 pm Eastern Time
(5 pm – 7:30 pm Central  / 4 pm – 6:30 pm Mountain  / 3 pm – 5:30 pm Pacific / 11 pm –  12:30 am UK)

* Note for UK writers – we know this is late for you to attend live! However, you will receive the recording of the Friday session immediately after we end that evening, so you can watch it on your Saturday morning and then join live for the remaining Saturday session which is convenient for UK time.)

Saturday October 24 :
11 am – 2:30 pm Eastern Time
(10 am 1:30 pm Central  / 9 am – 12:30 pm Mountain  / 8 – 11:30 am Pacific / 4 – 7:30 pm UK)

Optional Extra: Arrive early on Saturday for optional meditation starting 20 minutes before the session formally begins, led by Tania Casselle, certified Meditation Instructor.

Or convert to your time zone using New York in the bottom right box to compare your local time to Eastern Time.

Read about the instructor here

FEE: Please choose your own fee along this sliding scale according to your means: Between $70 – $200.
A sliding scale allows people with more limited assets to participate, while writers with more financial latitude can find a figure that suits their means.
Your generosity also allows me to offer low income spaces in our courses.

There are also two spaces at $40 for low income writers. (Note: You do not need to prove that you are on a low income. Just say you want that space and it’s yours.)

REGISTER HERE TO JOIN

COMMENTS FROM WRITERS IN PREVIOUS ZOOM RETREATS:

“The exercises helped me to forget about my concerns and just write.”

“I loved the content. It was always engaging and the writing exercises were challenging yet fun.”

“Broke through my writing block as I hoped.”

“Tying things in with the seasons gave a unique perspective and an added layer of depth to everything I learned. There was more wisdom given through this course than I could’ve imagined possible.”

“I am thrilled that I came away with a pretty firm idea for a new project.”

“It broke some through some sort of tightness I’d acquired by not being able to meet with other writers.”

REGISTER AT THIS LINK



If these dates don’t work for you but you would like to be alerted about the next retreat, please email: MurphyCasselleWriteNow@gmail.com.

THE INSTRUCTOR

Tania Casselle has been a writer and editor for 30+ years, published in numerous books, magazines, newspapers and online media in the US, Europe and Asia. She is a former committee chair for the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Her nonfiction, fiction, poetry and radio work have been recognized in numerous awards and anthologies. She is a developmental editor for book publishers and individual authors. As a writing coach and teacher, she works with people individually and in group seminars in person and online. She serves as a spiritual director and follows a contemplative path in the Zen Buddhist and Christian mystic traditions. She also holds a Masters in Transpersonal Psychotherapy.
Tania is on the board and faculty of the nonprofit Sage Institute for Creativity & Consciousness. She is an alumnus of the Living School for Action and Contemplation, founded by Fr. Richard Rohr, and serves as a Guide and Facilitator for the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Essentials of Engaged Contemplation year-long course.
Tania helps writers on every level, teaching not just the craft and business of writing, but also exploring the deeper creative and spiritual impulse, helping writers free their natural writing voices and navigate internal blocks. Originally born in the UK, Tania lives in New Mexico.