Writing can be soul work. There is no where I've found in Ohio where this is truer than at Women Writing for (a) Change. This is an organization, a writing center of sorts, in Cincinnati. I met its founder, Mary Pierce Brosmer a few years ago upon the recommendation of a friend. Since then, I attended last year's spring writing retreat for women across the Ohio River in northern Kentucky. I'm signing up for this year's too. It's terrific to have time to develop my craft while nurturing my spirit and connecting to others.

Women Writing for (a )Change was initially started with the idea that, through writing and sharing their work, women might make systemic changes in their lives, and thus, the world. Over the past 15 plus years, it's grown beyond that. There are writing workshops for families and men as well. In the summer, there are writing camps for girls. The biggest focus remains women.

My only beef is that this terrific place is in Cincinnati. That's no one's fault. That's life. I'd love to sign up for a semester class or two. In the meantime, I'll keep telling people about it and look forward to that retreat weekend.

By the way, you don't have to see yourself as a writer to go to classes or on a retreat. The point is that you are interested in writing. A love of words is a bonus. If you don't have this love now, afterwards, you will. You will most certainly find yourself enjoying how you are in the company of women.

Women Writing for a Changes's motto says it best:

Bringing women to words and the words of women to the world.