Let yourself be gutted. Let it open to you. Start here.
From Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
“When I was inspired to write an essay analyzing the representation of femme fatales in murder mysteries, I reached out to Natassja for help. She graciously assisted me, an inexperienced fiction writer, edit my first draft and figure out a structure that enticed readers. She followed up by sending essays she thought were similar and would inspire me. Soon after, I published that piece on The Rumpus!”
1-day generative writing seminars
Available Online, 90-minutes, Minimum 4 to Max 15 Enrollment
Mini Intro Seminar—The Magician’s Pen, Writing Your First Chapter with Tarot
45-min, Wednesday, April 23 7:15pm-8pm ($35 suggested donation)
45-min, Wednesday, April 30 7:15pm-8pm ($35 suggested donation)
The Magician’s Pen, Writing Your First Chapter with Tarot is a 45-minute generative mini-workshop (donation-based) for those interested in dipping their toes into writing memoir and personal essays. Through tarot-inspired prompts, we’ll spark creativity and uncover the magic in your personal story.
This session is perfect for writers who feel drawn to memoir but find the blank page intimidating, as well as those who have been discouraged by overly critical workshops. Here, we center curiosity and possibility—offering a supportive space to begin your writing journey with fresh inspiration.
All levels are welcome to join!
The Hermit’s Path, Writing in Times of Uncertainty
90-min, Wednesday, May 7 7-8:30pm, $75
2025’s Tarot Card of the Year is The Hermit, a guide to deep self-exploration and transformation. In this 90-minute generative seminar, we will explore writing prompts inspired by The Hermit, focusing on its role in moments of uncertainty. Often misunderstood as a symbol of isolation, The Hermit actually represents soul-searching that shifts our understanding of ourselves and the world. As we navigate these stressful and unprecedented times, it is important to reflect on our place in this moment and how we can advocate for a better future. The Hermit does not retreat from the world to escape it, but to sharpen their vision—to see through illusions and confront uncomfortable truths. At a time when misogynistic, racist, and capitalist structures continue to harm marginalized communities, we are called to interrogate the narratives we've been given and imagine new possibilities. The Hermit appears when we are at a crossroads, urging us to turn inward not as an act of retreat, but as a means to gather wisdom that fuels meaningful action.
If you feel called to step back from our materialistic culture, challenge oppressive systems, and chart an authentic path—both personally and collectively—this seminar is for you. As always, this workshop is designed to gently guide you through your personal writing journey.
All levels are welcome to join!
Metamorphosis of the Mind, Writing to Release Stress
90-min, Friday, May 9 7-8:30pm, $75
Finding way to release stress is more important than ever in these unprecedented times. In this Metamorphosis of Mind: Writing to Release Stress workshop, we’ll use writing as a tool to ease anxiety, process emotions, and regain clarity.
This generative course is inspired by the 1980s groundbreaking research of social psychologist James Pennebaker, whose studies on therapeutic writing revealed that putting our worries into words can reduce obsessive thinking, promote emotional healing, and even strengthen the immune system (and who doesn’t need that now?!)
Together, we’ll discuss how writing can help ease what ails us, and then get right into stress-relieving prompts designed for relief and reflection. You’ll also leave with simple techniques to continue this practice at home—whenever you need it most. As always, this workshop is designed to gently guide you through your personal writing journey.
All levels are welcome to join!
4-week generative memoir and personal writing workshops
Available Online, Minimum 4 to Max 8 Enrollment, $450 (includes one 1-on-1 30 minute consultation)
The Fool’s Journey, Unlocking Personal Storytelling Through Tarot
Wednesdays, May 14 thru June 4 7-8:30pm EST, $450
The Fool—a card of new beginnings, spontaneity, bravery, and sometimes foolhardy risk-taking—is much like writing our personal stories. To write honestly, we must step into the unknown with faith and optimism.
The Fool’s Journey: Unlocking Personal Storytelling Through Tarot is a four-week workshop designed for those who have felt intimidated by personal writing or discouraged by past harsh workshop experiences. Through tarot-based prompts, we will unlock personal narratives that embrace curiosity, possibility, and the belief that telling our stories is an act of courage.
Here, you are free to wander, to wonder, and to write in a gentle uplifting environment. This is a space to take creative risks, embrace the unknown, and discover the power of your voice. No experience with tarot or writing is needed, just an open heart and a willingness to explore. Join us on this Fool’s Journey! As always, this workshop is designed to gently guide you through your personal writing journey.
All levels are welcome to join!
Chrysalis, Emerging From Goo—Writing the Self in Transformation
Wednesdays, June 18 thru July 9 7-8:30 pm EST, $450
Chrysalis, Emerging from Goo is a 4-week generative memoir workshop designed to guide you through the process of Writing the Self. You'll explore the transformative power of creative nonfiction, personal essays, and short memoir writing. Writing about our own lives can be daunting, often evoking painful emotions, but this workshop offers a supportive and productive space to navigate those complexities. Whether you’re a veteran writer or a beginner, you’ll be guided by an instructor with over a decade of experience teaching creative nonfiction.
Each session will focus on analyzing published short memoirs and personal essays, uncovering what makes these works resonate and exploring the craft behind them. You’ll also engage in generative prompts to begin composing your own personal stories, delving into the transformative aspects of your experiences.
By the end of the workshop, you may feel like goo—and that’s a great thing! Embracing messiness is often the first step toward great writing. You’ll also have a one-on-one session to discuss a piece you've worked on during the course, leaving you motivated to refine your work and continue your writing journey. As always, this workshop is designed to gently guide you through your personal writing journey.
All levels are welcome to join!
spread your wings: 1-on-1 services
Reading to spread your wings? Monarch Writers Workshop offers query (including development of pitch tweets for #pitmad and other Twitter pitch events) help, one-on-one developmental coaching, editing, and manuscript/proposal consultation services. For more information and a quote, please inquire at natassjas@gmail.com.
“Writing requires courage, audacity. I’m not suggesting that there is something heroic about writing, but I do believe that to commit words and ideas to the page demands something of the writer”
From Light the Dark by Roxane Gay
““Natassja established a supportive, intimate environment in the classroom from the beginning. This combination provided a truly unique experience in which we all felt safe enough to take risks with our stories, and stretch ourselves as writers. I think her gift is in seeing and making emotional connections in the writing, which is where I sometimes struggle as a more objective writer, so I feel I benefited greatly from her instruction and was extremely fortunate to have had her as an instructor. ”
““Wonderful instructor! This was my second writing workshop with her. She does above and beyond with is expected. After helping me refine my latest draft of my personal essay, she sent me more material to work with, and more commentary. I would take a third creative writing class with her!
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“I think new writers are too worried that it has all been said before. Sure it has, but not by you.”
-Asha Dornfest
