About Cascadia Writers
Accountability, camaraderie, and support for less than the cost of a monthly latte. If you want to establish a more consistent writing practice, give us a try. Cascadia Writers is a private writing group based in Olympia, Washington and hosted by Carmen Lane. Adult writers 21+ of all skills and genres and from all locations are welcome to join. We are writers who gather for camaraderie and encouragement, each focusing on our personal or professional writing projects, whatever they may be. Our goal is to establish and reinforce a regular writing practice, one hour at a time. Work on your manuscript, speech, screenplay, poetry, short story, blog... write whatever you like.
We offer a FREE 2-week trial period so you can attend a focused writing session to try us out, see if we are a good fit for you. If you enjoy our writing group, stay and pay your annual dues. Or you can leave our group if you changed your mind, or if you feel we are just not a good fit for you. That is perfectly OK and we wish you the best on your writing journey. Prospective members who decline to pay dues after their trial period ends are unable to RSVP to further writing sessions. Unpaid members are eventually removed. No offense intended if this happens to you. When you are ready, you are welcome to rejoin Cascadia Writers and pay dues so that you can continue to RSVP to our writing sessions.
ALL MEMBERS (yes, even prospective members using the free-trial) must use an actual photo of themselves (not an avatar, not a photo of a pet or child, etc.), use their legal name to join (first name OK), and must RSVP via Meetup. (See Rules)
Not sure what to write? No problem! Write your author bio if you don’t already have one, use a writing prompt, create a backstory for a stranger, or try journaling or free writing your thoughts.
We are happy to help promote our writers and their works! Any member of Cascadia Writers can be featured. To be added, contact Carmen here or at our next writing session. We can include your author bio, photo, and point visitors directly to your writer website, blog, podcast, FB page, Insta, ... just about anywhere you'd like.
Focused Writing sessions
Typical online Zoom agenda for writing sessions
- By 4:40PM, enter Zoom meeting, check mic/cam, chitchat, prepare to write.
- 4:45 PM - INTROS: A round-robin to introduce yourself to fellow writers. Share what you are working on, your goals for the session, or anything else you'd like to share. Or say, "PASS."
- 5:00 PM - TIMER STARTS: Cams off; Mics muted; we write for 1hr
- 6:00 PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! Final round-robin to share how your writing session went for you. Announcements, then see you next time!
Space is available for up to 100 writers. Join/RSVP via MeetUp
COST: FREE for members | $5 non-members/ unregistered guests
BRING: Pen and paper for writing or a pre-charged laptop. Earbuds or earplugs are recommended to block out conversation, if desired.
Typical in-person agenda for writing sessions usually held at Cutters Point Coffee, 1340 Marvin Rd, Olympia, WA 98516
- 4:30PMish - chitchat, settle in, get coffee, prepare to write..
- 4:45PM - INTROs: A round-robin to introduce yourself to fellow writers. Share what you are working on, your goals for the session, or anything else you'd like to share. Or say, "PASS."
- 5:00PM - TIMER STARTS: We write for 1hr
- 6:00PM - TIMER ENDS: Congratulations! If you sat at a different table, time to rejoin fellow writers for final round-robin to share how your writing session went for you, chat, take off, or keep writing. Announcements, then see you next time!
Space for up to 8 writers at our reserved table; other seats available too; all 1st come, 1st serve. OK to sit wherever you prefer. Join/RSVP via MeetUp
COST: FREE for members | $5 non-members/ unregistered guests
BRING: Pen and paper to write or a pre-charged laptop. Earbuds or earplugs to block café music and conversation, if desired.