Next session: July 5 - 11, 2026
Your inner critic keeps you from the page.
It tells you your story can wait. That you need to have it all figured out before you begin.
If you’re like the women who join Rise & Write, your life is full — work, care, ambition, healing.
You want to write, but you can’t see where it fits without something else slipping.
And every time you try to make space for yourself, the critic gets louder.
I know that feeling. When I returned to writing, I was grieving, rebuilding, trying to find my voice again. I wanted clarity, but instead I shrank. I questioned whether my stories mattered.
Maybe you’ve felt that too, the desire to write paired with the exhaustion that keeps you from starting.
Here’s what I learned:
Writing wasn’t another task. It became a place to breathe.
A place for rest, clarity, and self-trust.
This changed everything.
My way back began quietly: sunrise writing, music, breath, a blank page. No pressure. No performance. Just space.
That ritual became Rise & Write.
If you’re ready to begin again — gently, steadily, with support — there’s room for you here.
Your writing doesn’t need perfection. It needs time, care, and a space that softens the noise so your voice can return.
Magic of the Mornings
Since January 2024, over 100 writers have risen early with me. Together, we’ve written stories, essays, poems, journal entries, blog posts, grant applications, and dissertations. Chapters have been finished, book proposals drafted. And one proposal written in this circle will be published as a book in Spring 2026!
Writers have joined from across Canada, the US, Europe and the UK, and the Caribbean. Each morning, no matter the miles between us, we show up side by side. The magic is in that shared ritual of beginning together.
“Waking up everyday in the dark of January (even on weekends) to write with Simone and the other women of Rise & Write changed me at the core.”
Karen
What is Rise & Write?
It’s not a workshop or a class. It’s a practice. A sacred morning ritual I share with writers like you.
Together, we gather live online before the noise of the day. We open with music and breathwork, write in two focused sprints, and close with reflection. Sometimes we use prompts, sometimes we just write, but always we return to the page.
It’s restorative. It’s reflective. It’s co-working and community. Because we do not do this alone. When we write side by side, we mirror each other’s courage.
"This space made it easy to have grace with myself and my writing." ~ Paulina
Who is this for?
Rise & Write is for you if:
- You are a woman writer of colour seeking a space where your story is affirmed.
- You write in any genre — poetry, fiction, memoir, academic work, screenwriting — and want a practice that sustains you.
- You are at any stage of the writing journey: beginning, returning, or deepening your craft.
- You long for a community that is woman-led, queer and non-binary affirming, and deeply intentional.
- You want to start your mornings with ritual, reflection, and joy.
- You do a lot for others and are ready to do something for you.
What you’ll experience
By joining Rise & Write, you’ll:
- Begin your mornings with focus and intention.
- Notice and soften your inner critic instead of letting it block you.
- Build a writing practice that feels nourishing and sustainable.
- Experience the magic of co-writing — showing up together, even across distance.
- Leave each session grounded, connected, and ready to meet your day.
"This has made me a believer. The words flowed without a struggle and I'm so grateful!" ~ Ariann
How it works
Practice your practice alongside Island Scribe retreat founder, curator, and writer-in-residence, Simone Dalton.
Each session includes:
A musical warm-up & breathwork to centre yourself.
Two 25-minute writing sprints to move words onto the page.
Optional reflective prompts to guide your practice.
A closing circle to gather what’s emerged.
Join our included pop-up Facebook members-only community to continue the connection, celebrate wins, consider ways to keep in flow. Available for 11 weeks after our 7-day practice ends.
Rise & Write features three separate, virtual rooms, each with their own vibe. Please read the FAQ for more on how to Rise, Write, and Reflect.
Sessions are hosted live on Google Meet from 6 – 7:30 AM or 9 – 10:30 AM EST. Each morning, you’ll receive the call link for one of the available times depending on your registration request. You’ll also receive a daily love note in your inbox to carry the ritual beyond the session.
Why it matters
Your story matters. Your practice matters. And you don’t have to do this alone.
In Rise & Write, we gather before the world’s noise begins — to write, to reflect, and to remember that our voices are enough.
Your Invitation
July 5 – 11, 2026
6 – 7:30 AM EST OR 9 – 10:30 AM EST
Your season pass to clarity, courage, and community at the page.
This investment gives you access to all seven days of guided morning writing practice, community connection, and gentle accountability. In addition, you will have access to a private Facebook group called The Portal — an 11-week virtual pop-up space to help you carry the energy of Rise & Write forward. It’s a place to stay connected, stay curious, and stay accountable in your writing practice.
Join Us
Whether you’re beginning again, continuing a project, or simply seeking a gentle ritual for your mornings, Rise & Write is a space to belong — to yourself, to your practice, and to community.
Your Questions, Answered
No worries, most writers arrive solo. And if you’d rather, bring a friend along! You can share the registration page with another BIPOC woman writer in your circle.
Rise & Write is a community created especially for BIPOC women writers. If this isn’t you, we ask that you cheer us on from the sidelines or share the love by passing the invite to someone who is.
Because mornings are magic. Your inner critic hasn’t fully woken up yet, and the quiet hours help you slip into flow before the world makes its demands. We offer two sessions — 6:00–7:30 AM EST and 9:00–10:30 AM EST — so you can choose the rhythm that fits you best.
To keep things fair and help each group grow together, writers pre-select one time slot and stick with it for the current 7-day cycle. If you miss a session, no worries. The daily prompt is yours to use anytime that day. Also note, you can change your preferred time slot before each seasonal cycle begins, if needed.
Perfect — because this isn’t about being a morning person. It’s about making time for your writing before the day takes over. The magic happens in the doing, not the clock.
Yes, please! Bring your poems, stories, chapters — whatever’s calling you. Prompts are there if you need a spark, but totally optional.
Nope. Camera off is totally fine. Do you need to comb your hair? Nope. Brush your teeth? Nope. Wear clothes? Yes (especially if your camera is on 😉). Head-tie, bathrobe, cozy hoodie — come exactly as you are.
Not at all. Silence is welcome here. And if you change your mind in the moment, we’ll be ready to listen
No formal workshopping, just encouragement and accountability. Sometimes members connect outside of a session for beta reading, but that’s optional and community-driven.
We do our best to hold space with care and respect. Safety is a shared responsibility: we honour each other’s words and origin stories. Anyone being disruptive, offensive, or disrespectful will be removed and their membership cancelled.
Rise (15 min): Ease into community. Light your candle, pour your tea/coffee/Milo, and settle in. Ambient music (created by Danielle, aka damajé) sets the tone. We’ll ground with a short breathing exercise before writing.
Write (60 min): A quiet, focused space. Two 25-minute writing sprints with a 5-minute stretch break in between. Prompts are optional, flow with what you need. Mics muted.
Reflect (15 min): Cool down together. A gentle reflection question opens space for sharing. You’re always welcome to slip out early if needed.
They’re designed to flow together, but life happens. If you only make it to the Write room some days, that’s more than enough. Show up for yourself in the way you can.
