What if connection, not critique, made your writing come alive?
A conversation with two friends who got creative together, then wrote a book
Where do you find the brave space and motivation to write? What’s the story behind the “how to” writing books on your shelf? Who or what gives you courage to write? (A cat-invaded photo at the end shows my favorites!)
Well, guess what happened when two unlikely friends—separated by age, gender, profession, and geography—committed to writing together for a year? They surprised themselves with what author Parker J. Palmer calls “a unique dual-memoir that guides readers to pen their own creative journeys.”
I’m excited to announce the newest book from Creative Courage Press: Writing Together: A Year of Meaning-Making and Friendship. Enjoy this episode of Creative Courage Live featuring friends and co-authors Penny Williamson and Darcy Shaw. Their unique dual-memoir and creative guide is for anyone who has ever felt intimidated by writing, who have stories waiting to be explored, or who long for a deeper connection with a friend.
Penny and Darcy are both facilitators with the Center for Courage & Renewal, who I met when I worked there. So last year, when Penny and Darcy told me they wanted to write a book about writing together—using a replicable process they created based on the principles, practices, and touchstones of the Courage & Renewal approach, I knew I’d say a big YES to helping develop and publish their book. And now it’s out!!
Here are some snippets from our recent conversation:
On Courage and Writing:
Penny: “It took courage to agree to write, period. To write every week not knowing what I would write... this inner journey always takes courage.”On Friendship and Connection:
Darcy: “There’s something about being deeply listened to that is such a rare commodity in our culture. To have somebody actually deeply listen to you is a profound gift.”On Vulnerability:
Penny: “I realized I’m just a human being with stories. I now feel safe enough to write and share them... and if other people want to read them and maybe it'll touch them, well, somehow that was suddenly fine.”On the Writing Process:
Darcy: “We didn't have this cloud of obligation or a deliverable we had to meet. It was that open-endedness that really helped us.”Creating a Safe Space:
Penny: “Our touchstones created a trustworthy environment where judgment disappeared and authenticity could flourish.”Turning Points in the Writing Journey:
Darcy: “We went to memories I'd never shared, writing stories that took my breath away.”On Meaning Making:
Penny: “We said, ‘Let’s help others connect in this way.’ On Zoom, you could be anywhere in the world, and it will help with that creation of a safe space to be connected and to make meaning.”
Do you write alone? Have you found it intimidating to be in a critique group? Well, what if connection, not critique, made your writing alive?
You can watch the hour-long episode of Creative Courage Live here.
Start your own writing adventure with a friend and follow the authors’ book journey at https://WritingTogether.Substack.com. They’ve begun a 12-week series of shorter video clips with writing prompts over there!
Learn more about the book—which launches today, October 7, 2025, from Creative Courage Press. You can buy it wherever books are sold (we love indie bookstores!) You can even ask your local library to buy a copy for your community—or writing group.
MEET THE AUTHORS AT 3 LIVE EVENTS:
Tuesday, October 7 at the University of Prince Edward Island faculty lounge, hosted by Bookmark, Charlottetown’s independent bookstore. Get details.
Sunday, October 19 live on Zoom from 2-3 p.m. ET. Get details and register. Or RSVP to get your Zoom link at https://bit.ly/Oct19zmWT
Thursday, November 6 at Head House Books in Philadelphia. Get details. The link to RSVP with a $5 voucher toward any book will be online any day now here!
P.S. What other books have inspired your writing? Here are some of the most influential books for my own creative courage. Below are more favorites, a “Creative Courage for Aspiring Authors & Writers” list, at Bookshop.org (where I do get a small affiliate fee to help support my work). Please comment to share which writing books you love! :)
Wonderful! This looks like a truly inspiring book and process, Shelly🙏 💗