I love working with writers!
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As Your Mentor I Can Help You:
- Make what’s meaningful to you meaningful to future readers
- Overcome resistance
- Challenge those inner demons that keep you from writing
- Live the active writer’s life (within the context of your daily life)
- Write from your unique voice
- Discover the heights of your writing abilities
- Help you get your book to publishing stage
- Listen to your original dreams as a writer
Your 1-2-1 Sherpa Mentoring Program
In this one-to-one relationship, you set writing intentions at the start of our 6 months and we work together live, on ZOOM. Here is how the program is structured:
Live Weekly Mentoring Sessions
Your mentorship is personally designed to help you achieve your unique writing intentions.
During these sessions I will:
- make suggestions, give writing prompts and help you create meaningful narratives.
- use evidence-based practices and writing prompts to move your life, creativity and writing forward.
- help you deal with writing blocks
- help you process difficult parts of the journey
BONUS - Email Support
You can email me with questions, updates or input on a few paragraphs to a page in between your mentoring sessions! This is a great way to stay connected to your intentions and to your Writer's Sherpa, me.
BONUS - Writer’s Support Group
You can join a Live, Zoom writer’s support circle as part of this program. Here you meet up with other writers for a dynamic and supportive circle. My unique approach to holding writer's circle is sure to help inspire and improve your writing.
Your Writer's Circle will meet every month on the 2nd FRIDAY from 9 am till NOON CST.
I have found that this approach and personal relationship with a mentor creates a uniquely fulfilling and dynamic results for writers. Let's talk. We start with a free 20-minute Zoom consultation.
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"I want to give voice to my profound gratitude to you, Julie. You have seen me as a being, as a writer, and I know, even in my most self-doubting times, that I have grown a lot as a writer working with you. I know I also have 'miles to go before I sleep!’ My manuscript really began its materialization and manifestation as its own piece of writing under your mentoring. It also grew both in volume (# of pages!) and in its shape and contours. I felt deeply affirmed, always; and challenged frequently. Often, it was as if you revealed a wide open door into the mystery of writing--and of being myself. " –Jacob Shefa, Ph.D., PLC (Psychosynthesis Life Coach). Over the past quarter-century, Jacob has worked with over 6,000 middle and high-school students, offering Individual Mentoring, Attention Masters (Mindfulness Training) and Wisdom Writers (Character Education Through Creative Writing). The co-author of The Cry of Merlin and The Blue House: An Elder's Lifelong Search for Meaning and Purpose, Jacob is presently writing an autobiographical novel about a man undergoing a spiritual transformation in the wake of nearly dying from Covid-19.
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World into Word…
Living the writer’s life means to explore our own lives, create worlds, and share our wisdom and creations on the page through the written word. Check out my some Wednesday blog for writers: All Write Wednesdays: World Into Word and Action.
There is no one formula to writing, but you can create an architecture to which you can write, and, create a lifestyle in which you find yourself writing. There are no universal rules to the craft, but there are principles you can use to write. My main focus as your Writer's Sherpa is to help turn your meaningful experiences into a meaningful read. Whether you are increasing your awareness and creativity through journal writing, working on a book idea, want to increase your creative energy, or want to know how to get published, I am here to guide you.
There is no one formula to writing, but you can create an architecture to which you can write, and, create a lifestyle in which you find yourself writing. There are no universal rules to the craft, but there are principles you can use to write. My main focus as your Writer's Sherpa is to help turn your meaningful experiences into a meaningful read. Whether you are increasing your awareness and creativity through journal writing, working on a book idea, want to increase your creative energy, or want to know how to get published, I am here to guide you.
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"I am a professional editor (clerestorybooks.com) and in this capacity I’ve had the distinct honor of working with the very gifted author, mentor, and writer’s sherpa Julie Tallard Johnson for almost twenty years on a variety of written projects that have morphed into wonderful books. Given Julie’s wizardry with words as an author, as Writer’s Sherpa she is a shining light of inspiration to those creative individuals seeking her wisdom and guidance as they navigate the writing of their own works. Julie has the rare ability to really see into the words on a page, to ascertain their true essence and bring that essence to the fore. Her creative guidance is relayed in a positive and loving way wherein the writer feels incredibly safe and completely supported, enabling the writer’s best work to issue forth. I can’t recommend Julie highly enough; she brings grace and a special touch of magic to every book she works on." –Anne Dillon, editor
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Watch Julie talk on her latest book, the art of collaboration and the need for poetry
LISTEN TO MY UTUBE on MEMOIR WRITING, offered through the Oregon Public Library: Memoir Writing
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"Julie has been my writing sherpa in the classroom and in a writing circle for 2 years. Under Julie's guidance, both my writing and my confidence have grown. Julie is a wonderful guide, mentor, teacher, counselor. Her circles are part writing critique and part therapy. Julie creates an ideal space to harness all your writerly gifts. Recently I did a one-on-one consult with Julie and I can't believe I didn't sign up sooner. In the hour and a half, we focused on a chapter of my book and I left with very clear goals for revising and improving my manuscript. Sometimes I feel like I am just writing, but after my consult with Julie, I feel like a soon-to-be author. Julie's expertise in the publishing world as well as her helpful, honest, and friendly guidance, make her consults effective, productive, and inspiring. I walked away with a plan, and am at the next level." –
Molly Chanson is a teacher, writer, and entrepreneur, inspired by yoga as a path to healing. Molly shares her her personal experiences as a mom and wife on her blog, Soul Ma in order to inspire other women to heal, grow, and transform into their bravest self. Molly lives in southern Wisconsin with her two young boys and is writing her first book. Please contact Molly at molly@soulma.com. Molly is one of my success stories, she now has her book published, Fallen Star: A Return to Self through the Eight Limbs of Yoga for your consumption click on book cover. Publisher: Shanti Arts/Nine Rivers Imprint |
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"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." Barb Kane
-Barbara Kane, nonfiction writer. My blog here: feelingthepath.com"My work with Julie has been transformative for me. Her mentoring style is deeply insightful and she has patiently guided me to find my inner voice. As my stories developed, Julie would notice the pivotal moments, (better than I could ) and coax more of that. That style made me more confident and trusting to the process. I’m a better writer now, because of her encouragement and nurturing feedback. I’m grateful for what she gave me." –In appreciation, Bob, 2019-2020, Sherpa-mentoring |
FREE WRITING SEMINARS through Oregon Library:
The program is made possible through funding from the Friends of the Oregon Library.❤️
Fictionalizing your Autobiographical Writing LISTEN HERE
This is an invitation to play with some fiction writing in your memoir or other autobiographical writing. Where can we make things up and still call it non-fiction? How can we describe a sky or building we don’t remember? And turning your nonfiction into an autobiographical novel.
Embodied Writing LISTEN HERE
Somatic writing is writing from the body, the emotions, and sensual experiences. This is also transformational writing, where the writer transforms difficulty on the page and therefore transforms their future readers. You will leave with the ability to identify and write about your theme using somatic writing.
The Larger Story in Autobiographical Writing LISTEN HERE
Explore what the contextual themes that surround or hold your single story. The larger story is really another story, what I can also be a a Sister Story, — that accompanies your single story but as a Larger Story may hold or frame your single story. You will leave with ideas on how to discover, choose and write about your Larger Story. To prepare for this class, it is recommended that you watch The Danger of a Single Story.
If you have questions or need special accommodations at events contact Kara at or kripley@oregonlibrary.org.
The program is made possible through funding from the Friends of the Oregon Library.❤️
The program is made possible through funding from the Friends of the Oregon Library.❤️
Fictionalizing your Autobiographical Writing LISTEN HERE
This is an invitation to play with some fiction writing in your memoir or other autobiographical writing. Where can we make things up and still call it non-fiction? How can we describe a sky or building we don’t remember? And turning your nonfiction into an autobiographical novel.
Embodied Writing LISTEN HERE
Somatic writing is writing from the body, the emotions, and sensual experiences. This is also transformational writing, where the writer transforms difficulty on the page and therefore transforms their future readers. You will leave with the ability to identify and write about your theme using somatic writing.
The Larger Story in Autobiographical Writing LISTEN HERE
Explore what the contextual themes that surround or hold your single story. The larger story is really another story, what I can also be a a Sister Story, — that accompanies your single story but as a Larger Story may hold or frame your single story. You will leave with ideas on how to discover, choose and write about your Larger Story. To prepare for this class, it is recommended that you watch The Danger of a Single Story.
If you have questions or need special accommodations at events contact Kara at or kripley@oregonlibrary.org.
The program is made possible through funding from the Friends of the Oregon Library.❤️
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"My first one to one consult with Julie went beyond my expectations. Julie identified areas that fell short of good communication with the reader. She massaged and enhanced my clarity of message in numerous ways. I left expanded about what was possible for my book and filled with ways to improve my writing. And, I felt I had a true ally in my quest to write well and publish." –Rev. Jody Whelden, Board Certified Chaplain, Retired, Speaker & Author: Heart Centered Intuitive Living. www.jodywhelden.com
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"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
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"Julie was an invaluable help in getting me started on my memoir. Her concepts, especially that of Pivotal Moments, were especially useful in framing the events of my life into a story that led to successful pitches to literary agents." –Charlotte Mitchell Smith
"I would have given up a long time ago had it not been for Julie." Richard, 2020 "Julie is the Writer's Sherpa in every way possible. Sometimes the love is tough but I have gotten past a lot of resistance because of her being with me on this writing path." –Sam King, 2021 |
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“Julie Tallard Johnson is a master mentor. She is incredibly skilled at pointing you in the right direction at the right time; offering resources that not only help but inspire; helping you find whatever it is you need within your own being; and being true to her own authentic being. Julie walks her talk like no one else I know: her integrity is impeccable. I’ve used her books for guidance, participated in her workshops and courses, been mentored, and had individual sessions with her. All of them helped me immensely in getting to know myself, being true to my soul’s calling, living an authentic existence, and even loosening up! I don’t know what I did in a former life to get to work with Julie, but I am just grateful I didn’t pass up the opportunity. I give her my highest recommendation.”
~ Prudence Tippins, poet, teacher |
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"Thank you so very much for your comments and suggestions. They are so valuable and so appreciated. I hadn’t realized that I was writing a memoir, and maybe that’s the reason I got stuck. I didn’t want to revisit my experience with Peter ad-nauseum, which is why I put it aside. But if I reframe this as my story as you suggest, he’s only one part of it. The thought of it blows me away. Thank you again, dear Writer's Sherpa. Amy, Write-by-the-Lake, 2019
More testimonies by writers and authors upon request. |
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©2022 Julie Tallard Johnson, MSW, LCSW
The Writer's Sherpa
Transformational & Embodied Counselor & Mentor
Engaged in the world, one conversation at a time
Most rights reserved. Admin
The Writer's Sherpa
Transformational & Embodied Counselor & Mentor
Engaged in the world, one conversation at a time
Most rights reserved. Admin