Voice in the Wilderness: Writing through Life’s Wilderness Seasons
Now Scheduling for 2026!
In every writer’s journey, there are wilderness seasons—dry spells, heartbreaks, unanswered prayers, and disorienting detours. How do we find our voice in the midst of the very real challenges of our lives and tell those stories well? In this session, we’ll explore models of spiritual writing and how to write with vulnerability and authenticity through wilderness seasons, not in spite of them.
Voice in the Wilderness invites writers to engage the hard and holy moments of life through their craft. Whether you’re journaling for personal healing or shaping stories to share with others, this session will offer both spiritual and creative guidance.
Come ready to write, reflect, and bear witness. Your wilderness may just become someone else’s promised land.
Session Possibilities:
- Craft Seminars on Writing Wildly and Editing Ruthlessly
- Visiting Author Reading and Book Signing
- Or let’s plan a writer’s retreat together!
Click options below to see sample retreat schedules:
Half-Day Retreat (9 AM – 3 PM)
- 9-11:30 AM Write Wildly (2.5 hours with break, teaching, and writing)
- 11:30 AM-1 PM Lunch
- 1-2:30 PM Edit Ruthlessly (1.5 hours of teaching and revising)
- 2:30-2:45 PM Break
- 2:45-3 PM Closing Time (15 minutes of teaching and closing writing exercise to take with them)
Full-Day Retreat (9 AM – 8 PM)
- 9-11:30 AM Write Wildly (2.5 hours with break, teaching, and writing)
- 11:30 AM – 1 PM Lunch
- 1-2:30 PM Edit Ruthlessly (1.5 hours of teaching and revising)
- 2:30-4:30 PM Personal Writing Time
- 4:30-5:30 PM Embodying the Psalms Session
- 5:30-7 PM Dinner Break
- 7-8 PM Open Mic and/or Reading
About Sarah M. Wells:
Sarah M. Wells is the author of six books, including Ordinary Time: Meditations from the In-Between and The Family Bible Devotional (Volumes 1 and 2), with a forthcoming essay collection, To Say One Million Times, WOW, releasing in 2026. Her work explores the intersections of faith, family, and everyday wonder.
A sought-after speaker, Sarah has led dozens of retreats, conferences, and workshops for churches, writing programs, and spiritual communities. She serves in leadership with the Brethren Church both locally and nationally, mentors students at Ashland Theological Seminary, and volunteers with Safe Haven Domestic Violence Shelter and United Way.
Rooted in her calling to love God and neighbor, Sarah is passionate about building bridges between sacred spaces and the broader community. She lives in Ashland, Ohio, with her husband and three children, where she writes, edits, and encourages others through story and service.
Sarah Marie Wells 