Spiritual Life Writing Online Retreat January 24-25th, 2026

What’s your story?

We all have amazing stories to tell yet we often wrestle with “how” to tell them, and how to avoid becoming overwhelmed or at a loss when sharing about life, faith, tradition, and spirituality.

Are you ready to tell the story of your spirit, but are unsure where to start? This is the retreat you have been looking for!

Spiritual life writing offers a compassionate space for self discovery, healing, and hope. At this retreat we will explore how telling stories can be meaningful, powerful and liberating for both the storyteller and the listener. You will learn simple yet impactful ways to write your stories in a manner that leaves you feeling empowered and your readers touched.

Absolutely no writing experience is necessary, and you will not be required to share your work (but don’t be surprised if you end up wanting to)!

Register to attend our online Spiritual Life Writing Retreat hosted by Creating Connection featuring authors Susan Scott with Lana Cullis and Sharon S. Hines, and special guest author Traci Skuce.

$60usd per person includes electronic (Kindle) version of the Spiritual Life Writing Workbook.

Saturday January 24th 10am - 5pm PDT

Sunday January 25th 10am - 5pm PDT

* Zoom link will be emailed to you one week prior to the retreat*

Schedule

What’s Your Story?

A Nurturing Spirit Online Retreat

January 24th - 25th — 10 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time

Saturday

10:00 AM Welcome and Introductions

Exploration: What’s your relationship to story?

10:45 AM Mini Break

11:00 AM Exploration: What is your central question? (your why) – Traci Skuce

12:00 PM On Your Own: Personal writing time

1:30 PM Exploration: What storytelling options are calling to you?

- Faith-based writing: spiritual journaling, reflections, sermons
- Personal essays: writing for self, narrative journalism
- Poetry: the age-old craft of rhythm and verse
- Spiritual autobiography: what it takes to pen a memoir and why it’s worth the try

2:30 PM On Your Own: Personal writing time

3:30 PM Exploration: How to build on your interests (reading & resources)

4:00 PM On Your Own: Personal writing time

4:30 PM Challenge: Soul work (writing prompts)

500 PM End of Day One

Sunday

10:00 AM Exploration: Storytelling options (choose the same or a new one)

- Faith-based writing: spiritual journaling, reflections, sermons
- Personal essays: writing for self, narrative journalism
- Poetry: the age-old craft of rhythm and verse
- Spiritual autobiography: what it takes to pen a memoir and why it’s worth the try

11:00 AM Mini Break

11:15 AM Exploration: How to build audience and community

12:00 PM On Your Own: Personal writing time

1:30 PM Sharing: Open Q&A

2:00 PM On Your Own: Personal writing time

3:00 PM Sharing: Open Mic

4:00 PM Challenge: Where does all this take you? (writing prompts)

4:30 PM Last Words and Next Steps

5:00 PM Retreat Ends

Meet the authors!

Susan Scott

Susan Scott (susanlscott.ca) is a Great Lakes writer working at the crossroads of story, spirit, self, and culture. She has midwifed dozens of books, including scholarship and memoirs, and has been editing with The New Quarterly (TNQ) literary magazine since 2009. Susan has led award-winning initiatives in the environmental humanities and in arts-and-culture work with First Nations, immigrants, and settlers. Edited collections include Body & Soul: Stories for Skeptics and Seekers; Stories in my Neighbour’s Faith; and more. Reach out to Susan for news about groundbreaking work with artists, activists, and adventuresome scholars around the globe.

Lana Cullis

Lana Cullis (lanacullis.com) is committed to encouraging kinship among writers. Lana values spiritual life writing as a creative way to access hidden desires, promote healing, and encourage self-determination. She is an ordained lay minister who respects lessons from traditional elders, nature, and family lineage. Lana strives to be a bridge between people of differing faiths. Her writing draws on waking dreams, voices, and visions that reveal the tender places where human truth, individuality, and courage intersect. Lana lives, writes, and plays in qathet, on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Sharon S. Hines

Sharon S. Hines (sharonhines.com) is on a mission to become a better storyteller — and to help others do the same. She writes and teaches with the goal of encouraging spiritual seekers of all stripes to develop a personal relationship with God. She invites writers and readers on a journey to discover the joys, challenges, and hidden benefits of writing down and pondering the stories of their normal, everyday spiritual experiences. She begins from the premise that those who share their spiritual experiences should be acknowledged as truth-tellers. Her particular passion is helping rank beginners get their first story written.

Traci Skuce

Traci Skuce (traciskuce.com) is the author of the short story collection Hunger Moon, released in April 2020 by NeWest Press. Many of these stories first appeared in publications across North America, including Grain, New Ohio Review, The New Quarterly, and Prairie Fire. Hunger Moon was a finalist for the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writers Prize. In her work with writers, she holds space for their humanity and their divinity. Traci asks deep questions so they can dig down and discover who they are and what they really want to say. Traci Skuce lives, writes and swims on the traditional and unceded territories of the K'omoks First Nation in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, BC.

Debra Donohue - Creating Connection Director Canada

Debra Donohue

Debra Donohue, (www.Creatingconnection.ca) Creating Connection Director for Western Canada, is a passionate advocate for bringing people together on their spiritual journey, no matter where they may be. With a focus on creating meaningful connections and experiences, Debra has successfully led numerous retreats, conferences, and events over the course of her 15-year career in this role. Her dedication to fostering a sense of community and personal growth shines through in all she does, making her a valuable asset to those seeking to deepen their spiritual connections. Connect with Debra via email Debra@CreatingConnection.ca

Register today Spiritual Life Writing Online Retreat — Nurturing Spirit (CDN)

"Experience a taste of what’s to come—this online Spiritual Life Writing Retreat is a preview of our in-person retreat at Samish Island Retreat Centre, May 29–31, 2026." https://www.campsamish.org/

Spiritual Life Writing Online Retreat : A Nurturing Spirit Experience