Do you want to...

  • Bring your ideas into a comprehensive whole.
  • Write a book based on just an idea or theme.
  • Write on a subject that has captivated your attention.
  • Write a book taken from your blogs.
  • Write a book based on your notebooks.
  • Write transformational nonfiction based on journal entries or letters.
  • Write a book based on your travels, spiritual experience, encounters or views.
 Then the Write-by-the-LIGHT Retreat & Workshop is for you!

Whether you have just an idea for a book, journals full of notes and stories, a series of blogs, or, have written a first draft of a manuscript, you will leave this week with simple, applicable methods for the writing and completing of your book. This means, you will have a personalized architecture, relevant skills and the means to take your idea and experiences to a full crafted book. You will leave fully equipped and ready to continue to write about your life experiences, stories, and wisdom.

I will give you hands-on tools and practices to write compelling and informative narratives based on your personal experiences and knowledge. This dynamic course has helped dozens of writers frame their ideas, get their book written and out to publishers. Several of my writers are now published! You too will know how to share your wisdom, ideas and stories in a captivating way. Write a narrative that reaches readers that gets publisher’s attention. The magic and skill is in making what is personally meaningful to the writer (you), meaningful and captivating for your readers. I use transformational writing prompts that inspire you to write and the reader to be engaged in your stories. We will be writing inside and outside the class, with every day full of writing prompts, explorations, and methods to inspire you to write captivating nonfiction.

Following the intensive you will have the basic template of what you need to take your personal experiences and make them into a meaningful read.


What you need to set a clear foundation to your writing a book is given in this intensive and is based on my popular Write-by-the-Light retreat and workshop.

(This is the popular venue from past UW MADISON Write-by-the-Lake.  Since the closing of the UW, Continuing Eds Writing Program in 2021, I want to find a way to offer this great material to writers.)
Come with just ideas, or notes and journals, leave with a way to write your book. 

BONUSES!!
* An optional evening writer's support circle in August to share your writing, receive encouragement and helpful feedback. (to be scheduled at our June session.)
* a one to one 30 minute mentoring session with Julie.  IF you're already in the mentoring program, add 30 minutes to one of your sessions for an hour session!)

Register and SIGN UP HERE: Write-By-The-Light INTENSIVE  

Write-by-the-LIGHT Intensive Calendar
All times are CST.
Begin Thursday night at 7:00 PM, end on Saturday at 4:00 PM
Thursday Evening, 7 PM Welcome, Getting Started
Friday:  7:00 am OPTIONAL meditation for writers. 
9:00 am to Noon:  Instruction and Writing Prompts, Explorations for the day.
2:00 PM to 3:00 Q & A, a bit more instruction 
6:00 PM to 8:00  Time to Share, More instruction, evening contemplation 
Saturday:  7:00 am OPTIONAL meditation for writers. 
9:00 am to Noon:  Instruction and Writing Prompts, Explorations for the day.
2:00 PM to 4:00 Q & A, instruction for the road, set up follow-up circle in August

Cost only $75.00 
Your Instructor

Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LCSW
Writer's Sherpa, Counselor, Spiritual Mentor 

As an author of 11 inspirational books, a popular blog and several fiction and nonfiction published pieces in magazines, I can help you set your own path to writing and completing a captivating book that others will want to read.

​I have worked with writers for over 30 years where I have simplified a writing journey so that when you complete this intensive you will have established a solid and clear path for your ideas and writing intentions.

Many of my writers have gone on to be published authors.  
"When I signed up for Write by the Lake, I knew I wanted to write a book, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what the book would be about. I signed up for Julie’s memoir writing course and bought her book, The Zero Point Agreement. As soon as I read the first page I knew I had chosen the perfect teacher (Sherpa) for me. Julie’s teaching style is encouraging and heartfelt, and over the course of the week my mindset shifted from writing as an indulgent hobby to an act of self-expression and service that can actually change the world. Julie’s guided processes and interactive writing prompts took me from idea to a template for my entire book within the week. I now have a completed manuscript that is ready to publish, and much of the writing I did at WBTL is in my book! Julie provides tools and insight that you will take with you for your entire writing life after the week long class. I am forever grateful that because of Julie and her compassionate teaching style, I am now a writer. "  –Molly Chanson, MA, Yoga Instructor, author.  (The book she worked at WBTL was published 2022 through Shanti Arts. https://www.shantiarts.co/landing_books.html 

"Julie is a compassionate and masterful writing mentor. Both gentle and tough, she helped me overcome tremendous resistance and doubt. Since working with her, I have learned so much about writing and so much about myself. I now have a variety of tools that I continue to use as I write. Julie helped me accomplish more than I ever imagined. Because of her, I successfully launched a blog of non-fiction stories and the blog has been as rewarding as she predicted. Julie is a true writing sherpa."   -Barbara Kane, nonfiction writer     See her published blog:  feelingthepath.com