STEP into STORY

6 week class. 90 minutes on zoom. All materials will be delivered online. Cost: $200. Limit 12 women.

You need absolutely no writing or storytelling knowledge to join me. This class will teach you a powerful visualization process that invites you to step into your life and see events, people, places and decisions, through a completely different lens. You'll feel as if I've given you a new pair of glasses to view your life!

In this circle we play with story, we don’t force it, we dance with it, we trust our intuition and knowing and go with first thoughts. I'll teach you how to banish your inner critic and embrace true expression. You will also improve your writing craft and understanding of character, dialogue, setting and plot. I guarantee this class will change your life in big and small ways or I will issue you a full refund!

step into the story sanctuary with me

You are the main character in your life stories. Other people exist as you remember them in the moment, usually the age you were when an event occurred. Who were you and who were they at the time of your remembered scene? What did you want and what kept you from getting it? What did they want? We will dive in and examine, feel, and uncover the unique desires and circumstances within relationships.

Setting. Where did your memory take place? In order for a story to unfold it has to be grounded in place. To re-create a place, you need to go back to that place in your mind and collect details. You may only remember the tiniest thing, which is where you start. Your memory fills in details if you give it the opportunity to rest in a scene. All sorts of hints are available to trigger memory or spark a story; what was going on in the world, music, food, movies, your school, church, favorite TV show.

Story demands action, movement, a turning point, a purpose, a character who has a goal or purpose. Even if the action is happening on an emotional or subtle level. You remember an event because something happened, it changed you in some way, you learned, you grew, you succeeded, you failed, you lived! Action moves your story forward and the consequences of each action determine the plot. Figuring that out is easy once you know what to look for!

Humans are natural born storytellers. We tell stories ALL THE TIME. It is how we communicate and entertain each other. After living within your story, uncovering all the lost details, feeling into your characters and grounding yourself in place, the story is all there. Now all that is left is to tell it. If you can verbally tell a good story with all the elements we’ve explored, then writing it down is simple, it’s on the tip of your tongue.

yes, yes, yes . . . please send me class times and sign up information!

With our new glasses on, we will . . .

Travel through an imaginal story portal to investigate the events of your life, to watch long held narratives transform into healing, life affirming wisdom.

Gain writing and storytelling skills to entertain and inform, play and vocalize, in a supported non-critical circle of women.

Release the stories that bind you to a belief, idea, action, habit, relationship or event that might block light, love and creativity from flowing freely in your life.

About me . . . and you, and what we can create together

With over a million copies sold and translation into six languages. My book, The Courage to be a Single Mother, was featured on Oprah, where I appeared, and facilitated a workshop for single mothers'. I am also a certified dream teacher (with Robert Moss), medicinal herbalist (California School of Herbal Medicine), permaculturist (Regenerative Design Institute), mother of six grown children and grandmother of eight. There are few topics that I have not learned, taught, or written about. I have a BA from the University of Southern California in psychology and religion and a MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific University. Teaching is my passion!

I have a no rules, no limitations, no judgment, no wall too high or valley too deep to dabble in policy. I promise to weave a safety net that will hold you, whatever path you take into story exploration and expression. This is an invitation to observe, live within and experience your life stories through new glasses. A place to move from being stuck in a story, sure of it’s meaning, to shifting the narrative, seeing more clearly, or even savoring the new details, all to free yourself.

Are you being called to meet your true self? Do you wish to banish your inner critic forever?

Are you ready to play in your personal story sanctuary, where old beliefs and limitations are transformed into joyful self-understanding? Then say YES, and join me on the journey!

Classes start in September. If you say YES you will receive an email as soon as the schedule is out.

YES!

If you aren't sure if this is the right class for you, sign up and I'll send you a free hour long class. And remember the promise of a full refund if this class doesn't change your life!

This imaginal process is powerful. It allows you to tap long forgotten memories in a safe and curious way, to bring richness and understanding to your soul. WHY DO THIS? So you can heal, forgive, and experience your life stories in a way that frees old beliefs, narratives, and relationships, so you can let go, be free, and live!

And WHILE you uncover layers of your story you will learn to write your stories in scene, jumping into the middle of the juicy action, instead of dull journal entry recounting.

STILL ON THE FENCE? Check out what my past students have to say!

This class was

Sheila is the most amazing writing teacher. She helps you touch parts of your life and experiences that you didn’t know existed. And then she gives you the confidence to put those experiences into words. I was awestruck by the way she held the space. I was able to heal on many levels. For me, this process opened up places in my heart that I had forgotten.

Lisa Smithshaman, healer, speaker

Sheila’s methods always provide a way through the maze, inspiring new ideas and sometimes sending me off in completely unexpected directions! With Sheila’s easy-to-use exercises and visualization into scene, she helps quiet our inner critic, allowing us to fully express our feelings, exploring our own stories without fear.

Julia York

Sheila’s enthusiasm for writing is contagious. Those times when I was ready to throw my manuscript in the trash, a class with Sheila would boost my confidence and spark new ideas to revitalize my work. She has a green thumb for growing new ideas and practical approaches for organizing them. The prompts she offers in her exercises are just what is needed when you’re stuck staring at a blank sheet of paper.

Judith RoyalArchetypal Astrologer

Over the years, I toyed with putting thoughts on paper. It seemed daunting, I seemed unqualified. I had no idea how to start. Sheila’s enthusiasm and knowledge made the steps easy. I’ve written things that have excited me, some that have surprised me, and even a few that have blown me away. I have learned that there are words waiting to get out of me, I’m the only one who can access them, and Sheila’s expertise has been the key.

Brenda Herrington

Like the best teachers, Sheila gives you the tools you need to write and makes sure you understand how to use them. Like the best coaches, she is a constant source of encouragement and motivation. Sheila teaches that for everything you remember about your life, there are important reasons why you remember, making it an incredible journey of self-discovery. Using Sheila’s techniques, you can actually unearth details about your life that were long forgotten.

Linda Strober

She is passionate about the craft of writing, is a gifted teacher, and is skilled at helping others find their unique writing voice. When I entered my first class with Sheila I had no creative writing experience, however her fun and playful writing exercises quietened my inner critic and gave me permission to just let go and explore. The stories just flowed naturally. Sheila truly believes that each of our hearts are seeded with an infinite number of stories and as a teacher she makes the process of cultivating these seeds one of joyful discovery.

Lorna Vander Ploeg

My purpose on this earth is to teach, heal, love and support women in any way I can. I will create a safe place for you to learn, explore and share. I know how to unravel creative knots with ease. I say with ease because I know your stories are alive within you just waiting to be invited to dance. I’m inviting you to play with story.