Dear Readers and Writers,

For those of you who like to jump off the dock or dive in headfirst with no prior thought — “Just get me in that water now” — the first summer session of 2026 starts Monday. Yes, this Monday, June 29.

The five week group looks to be small, as summer sessions often are (People have children at home, family vacations, gardens to tend). It will consist of some long-term students and at least one brand new person.

We begin each class period with ten minutes of zen-style silent meditation. We write for timed periods on suggested topics, but you are always welcome to go rogue and provide your own topic and to go wherever your mind takes you. We read what we write aloud to each other without commenting on the writing, the situation described in the writing, our response to it, etc. There is no “critique” in a classic writing practice group, just the space to explore whatever you need to explore with the freedom to say whatever you need to say again and again.

For those of you who prefer to plan, looking at the weather forecast, the traffic conditions, dipping one toe in the water cautiously, glancing to see if there is in fact, a lifeguard on duty, or for those of you who need to schedule your activities further in advance, the second five-week summer session will take place on the five Mondays of August, beginning August 3 and concluding August 31.

Each of the summer sessions is five consecutive Mondays. The group takes place on Zoom from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Pacific time. If you sign up, I expect you to be present all five Mondays: this helps keep the group cohesive.

Each five week session costs $125.00. Fees for Summer Session #1, which starts this Monday, are due as soon as possible and, in any case, before the first class starts on Monday. Fees for Summer Session #2 are due by 5 PM Pacific on July 31, 2026. You may pay via PayPal at PayPal.Me/yourbusker or search sharyndimmick@att.net on PayPal. Or you may mail a check to me (If you want to send a check, email me and I will provide you with my address.

If you want to go wild and sign up for both summer sessions, you have the option of paying for each one separately or paying $250.00 USD in a lump sum, whichever is most convenient for you.

I will send out the Zoom link for class the night before it starts, on June 28 and on August 2.

Questions? Ask away.

Sharyn

P.S. I’ve said this before, but I’ll repeat it. I spent over twenty years studying with Natalie Goldberg in person, generally about four times a year in Taos, New Mexico, Santa Fe, California and Wisconsin. I was later named one of her dharma heirs and have her full blessing to teach writing practice. I have been teaching on Zoom since 2020.

P.P.S. I will be teaching a full twelve-week fall quarter, but due to life’s uncertainties I have not been able to schedule fall dates (I’m dealing with a sick cat and possible pending travel plans). I will make a fall announcement as soon as I know my teaching dates, which may or may not be consecutive Mondays.