A little about me
welcome! I’m Peggy
Writing has been a practice in my life that helped me access my inner world and understand myself on a deeper level.
It has led to living a more authentic, meaningful, and creative life.
My journey
My memoir writing journey began when I went on a writing workshop in Guatemala given by one of my favorite fiction and memoir writers, Joyce Maynard.
This was a 40th birthday present for myself. My youngest son had started full day school and I was ready to commit to my dream of being a writer. A fiction writer.
Joyce was happy to conference with me about my fiction, but asked that I challenge myself and write a memoir essay to share.
This led to the discovery of the interplay between fiction and memoir.
The British novelist Phyllis James stated
“Every autobiography is a work of fiction and every work of fiction an autobiography”.
This resonated for me, because my struggles kept appearing in the lives of my fiction characters, and when I began writing memoir pieces, I could see they were entirely subjective and from my point of view.
Someone else, who experienced the same event, might have a completely different experience, and to them my memoir could be fiction.
This realization was part of what made me want to learn more about myself, so that my unconscious was not driving my writing.
The more I knew about myself and why I did the things I did, the more I could make conscious decision about my writing. And, I would soon learn, about my life
Training/Experience
Shortly after going on this workshop, I began working for Joyce Maynard, as her workshop and retreat coordinator.
Through this job I witnessed hundreds of people experience the healing power of writing and sharing their stories in a safe environment.
This experience propelled me to attend graduate school at Pacifica Graduate Institute, where I graduated with a master’s degree in counseling psychology and completed a thesis on therapeutic writing.
I now work as a psychotherapist at Chicago Counseling Associates.
Through this work, I have learned that often what is most healing about writing is gaining clarity and understanding about your story with the support of nonjudgmental listeners.
It is truly transformative to have a space to share honest writing out loud and to have it warmly received. I founded Freebird Writing Groups with that idea at the heart of it.
Ways to work with me
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Virtual Writing Classes
In a small virtual group, we will share conversation, guided exercises, and time to write as well as read (your choice).
Participants will have an opportunity to explore writing as a practice to access inner wisdom and growth.
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In-Person Writing Workshops
Write in the company of others to connect, deepen, and explore.
These in-person classes will consist of guided exercises (ex. Life mapping, painting & writing, letter writing from future self), prompts, as well as time to write and optionally share.
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Writing Retreat in Guatemala
Come to beautiful Lake Atitlan and write with a community of fellow adventurers! This carefully curated experience will take place at a stellar retreat center on the shores of a sparkling crater lake surrounded by volcanos and mountains. All your meals will be prepared by a private chef so you can relax, be inspired by the coloful Mayan towns and culture, and enjoy yourself!