Join Me in the Bewilderness With a New Journal, or at a Free Live Poetry Reading

 

Ellis Elliott is a poet, author, and the founder of Bewilderness Writing, a weekly online workshop where writers gather to explore the fertile wilderness of their creative subconscious through freewriting from poetry prompts. Since 2020, she has cultivated a brave and supportive community that values expression over perfection, helping participants quiet their inner critic and discover their authentic voices on the page. This year, Ellis released the first Bewilderness Journal, showcasing the powerful, intimate work that has emerged from these sessions. I sat down with Ellis to talk about how the workshops began, what it took to grow this community, the inspiration behind the new journal, and what’s next for Bewilderness Writing. 

Dianne Pearce (Dianne): Thanks so much for the meetup Ellis. I was lucky enough to be in one of your Bewilderness sessions, and I have always wondered what inspired you to start Bewilderness Writing back in 2020. Was it something you envisioned long-term, or did it grow organically from the community? 

Ellis Elliott (Ellis): In 2020 I was half-way through grad school, my mother died, and Covid hit. I needed as much as wanted to write in community, and I had taken several sessions from my mentor, Laurie Wagner, in a format that involved freewriting from poetry prompts. I put it out there on social media for free to see if I had any takers. I think I had five for the first group, two of whom were my children. 

Dianne: What was the hardest part about building an audience for the workshops in those early days?

Ellis: The hard part came when folks went back to work after Covid. Then I had to make a concerted effort with marketing using my own social media, getting testimonials, and all that stuff. Since the classes are intentionally small so everyone has time to write and speak in the hour, I luckily was usually able to fill the class with four-six people. 

Dianne:  Was there a moment when you realized, “Okay, this is working — this community has staying power?” 

Ellis: Yes, when I had a waitlist for the class and had to open another one, and when I had repeat customers.  The beauty of the group is that they come to intimately know one another through their writing. Because of that I think they feel seen and heard. I have many that have stayed with the same group for a really long time.

Dianne: Freewriting can feel vulnerable. Why do you think this practice works so well for breaking past the inner critic?

Ellis: I think once you realize it’s okay to make a mess by making one in class your subconscious registers that intention and allows you free-range writing without constantly blaring the bullhorn of self-criticism. It is definitely a “practice” and one I am still working on. 

Dianne: You’ve kept Bewilderness judgment-free — no critiques, just writing and listening. Why is that such an important piece of the puzzle?

Ellis: In the beginning I had many writers that would preface reading what they had written with an apology of some kind.  I quickly nipped that in the bud, because we all wanted to do that, right? I think we have enough criticism coming from within, and plenty of opportunities for groups that offer feedback and craft tools. Here, I think the fact that we don’t critique allows for writing that isn’t trying to be anything else but what it is. I think we are often surprised and excited by what comes up and onto the page when allowed that freedom. 

Dianne: What made you decide now was the right time to release a collection from the group?

Ellis: I’ve been a little in awe of the student writing since we began. I started with doing “writer spotlights” in my newsletter in order to showcase it, but had increasingly wanted to put together some kind of “collection” so others could see what I saw, which was that it didn’t matter if you were a first-time writer or a published poet, your words matter and should be out there for others to enjoy. But more than anything, once I got the ball rolling by asking for submissions from my current groups and they started submitting, I had to follow through. 

Dianne: What was the process like pulling the journal together — easy, hard, joyful, overwhelming?

Ellis: All of the above! It certainly makes me respect all the work you and others do in putting such things together.  I was lucky in that I had solicited writing from a manageable number, so I was able to feature everyone. That said, the creation of the journal itself, which I initially thought, “I’ll just start small and simple with an online something,” quickly morphed into a glaring example of my technological challenges. This led me to enlist the aid of my daughter-in-law, who saved the day! 

Dianne: The journal is dedicated to your beloved friend Christie Bates. What role did she play in the life of Bewilderness Writing?

Ellis: Thank you for asking. Christie was a friend from college and never missed a session. She became my sounding-board and co-conspirator with Bewilderness, as well as recruiting at least half the students. When she got diagnosed with cancer in Fall 2024 she had been with most of the same group of people for at least three months. She continued with this same group, participating, until the week before she died in February 2025. I have a pretty good feeling she’s still with us every Tuesday at one.  

Dianne: What do you hope readers who weren’t part of the group feel when they read this first issue?

Ellis: I hope they feel inspired to do their own writing, and know that it’s okay to start from the mess on the page. I hope they see that the writing encompasses all sorts of subjects, ideas, and stories, and all levels of mastery. I hope it is evidence of what beauty can come from what starts as a jumbled outpouring of words.  

Dianne: What has surprised you most about what people share in these sessions?
Ellis: I think when the writer is surprised by what they have written, I share that surprise. Often it is something they haven’t thought about in a long time, a personal story, or it could just be a word they’ve chosen that elicits the “where did that come from?” response by the writer. I think that’s a direct result of having freedom in what and how you write, and locking the critic in a closet without a key (where it still tries to talk to you from under the door).  

Dianne: What’s next? Do you see more journals, more sessions, or perhaps your own new writing project on the horizon?

Ellis: Our next six-week session starts November 4, and after that I will set the dates for the new year and hope to continue to highlight the student writing. As for my own writing, I’m not sure what’s next right now.

Dianne: Does your doggie sit with you when you create? 

Ellis: Absolutely! Mabel, thirteen, joins me whether I’m writing or working on miniatures, although I have to be very careful not to roll over her in my desk chair. Unfortunately, she used up her warnings and got expelled from my Zoom Bewilderness classes for spontaneous barking in the middle of class. She now waits patiently outside the door.  

Dianne: I have a similar situation. I have Oliver behind my chair (big old dog) and Patrick (cat) in the chair next to the desk, and sometimes Finny (chat) tries to get on the chair too, or on my lap. I say our pets are part of the Irish mafia. I don't know how I ended up with all boys with similar names!

Well, thanks so much for talking about your writing group and your new publication for the group with me. Authors Electric readers, you too can take a Bewilderness class. They're a lot of fun! Scholarships are available!

BEWILDERNESS WRITING

YOU'RE INVITED to a LIVE POETRY EVENT!

Join Old Scratch Press on October 25 for a Special Live Poetry Reading

Experience an afternoon of voices, visions, and poetry—join Old Scratch Press as we unveil three new poetry collections, with live readings from their authors.

OSP is proud to host a special online reading and launch event spotlighting the newest work of Alan Bern (DREAMS OF THE RETURN), Anthony D Doyle (JONAH'S MAP OF THE WHALE), and Virginia Watts (TRACING BODIES). Each author will take the mic to share selections from their collections.

DATE: Saturday, October 25

TIME: 2:00 PM PT (5:00 PM ET)

FORMAT: Virtual meeting (Zoom)

This event is free to the public, but preregistration is recommended. SIGN UP HERE :)