February 2026 AWA Writing Workshop for Stress Management

Join us to create new pieces of writing, connect with other writers, and receive encouraging support for your writing.

In a time when every day brings countless sources of stress, this workshop will provide a break from it all, including writing prompts and sharing to be present, process, and dig into the joys of creative expression and community connection. This space will provide a way to connect with others, write through the emotions, and relieve some of the stress you might be holding.

This is a generative writing workshop using the Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) method, where you'll write new pieces based on prompts (or whatever you feel like writing), followed by reading and responses that only identify what's working or what resonates with readers in your writing (no critique!).

This workshop is for all levels of writers, including beginners who might not yet identify as writers. It's also open to all genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.).

Attendees will leave with 2-3 new pieces of new writing, along with encouraging feedback to inspire them to continue with their writing. The goal is for everyone to leave the workshop with less stress than they brought into it.

➡️What: AWA Writing Workshop for Stress Management

➡️When: Sunday, February 22nd, 4-6pm CT

➡️Where: Zoom (link sent with ticket confirmation)

➡️Cost: $50 (standard ticket) *I can accept Venm0/cash@pp to avoid Eventbrite fees (just email me at hello@laurenoertel.com)

I am an AWA-certified facilitator leading workshops in the AWA method as described in Writing Alone and With Others by Pat Schneider, Oxford University Press. I am also a writer with numerous publications and contest/award wins for my poetry, short fiction, and short nonfiction. I have written two novels, I have two poetry books in the publication process, and I am consistently improving my writing and industry knowledge through various classes, workshops, etc.

*For those with a limited budget, the scholarship ticket is $25 (no questions asked).

**For those who can help offset the scholarship tickets, "pay it forward" tickets are $75. Thank you!