Letters to What Was

A Self-Paced Expressive Writing Course on Grief

When the heart needs a pen, we write our way through the shape of absence.

Letters to What Was is a twelve-week guided writing workshop designed for anyone carrying grief, transition, heartbreak, or the weight of something unsaid. This course offers a gentle, grounded space to reflect, release, and reclaim your voice through letter-based writing.

The workshop unfolds slowly and intentionally, honoring each student’s emotional pace. With compassion at its core, Letters to What Was helps you explore memory, loss, identity, and healing through creative expression. You don’t need any prior writing experience, only a willingness to show up as you are.

Each module blends reflective prompts, short readings, and creative exercises designed to help you give language to what has been challenging to hold alone. The focus is not on perfection, but on honesty, clarity, and connection with yourself.

Whether you’re writing through the end of a relationship, the absence of a loved one, a significant life transition, or a version of yourself you’ve outgrown, this course meets you right where you are.

What You’ll Learn

Throughout the twelve weeks, you will…


Use writing as a tool for healing:

Learn how letter-based storytelling can help you move through grief, regret, gratitude, or release with clarity and gentleness.


Strengthen your voice on the page:

Practice writing with emotional depth, vivid imagery, and honest self-reflection regardless of your prior experience.

Develop a compassionate writing rhythm:

Discover how to move at the pace of your own healing rather than forcing productivity or perfection.


Explore the power of saying what was unsaid:

Each module invites you to write to a different “what was”—a person, a moment, a version of yourself, or a truth you’ve carried quietly.

Build emotional resilience through creative practice:

Learn grounding techniques and reflective prompts that help you stay regulated, present, and connected as you write.

Reflect with guided instructor feedback:

Receive compassionate, personalized notes on each submission focused on tone, imagery, emotional clarity, and thematic development.

Create a meaningful body of writing:

By the end of the course, you’ll have a collection of letters; some for keeping, some for releasing, all for discovering a deeper understanding of yourself.


FAQs

  • Letters to What Was is a 12-week, self-paced expressive writing course on grief, loss, and transformation. Each week includes readings, gentle prompts, and reflective exercises that help you explore your personal story through writing. You’ll receive written feedback from me, not grades or critique, but compassionate reflections that honor your words and lived experience.

  • This course welcomes all forms of grief: the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a home, a dream, a version of yourself. Whether your grief is new or long-quiet, personal or collective, this space helps you find language for what has changed and what remains.

    • Short readings (poems, essays, or excerpts) exploring themes of memory, love, and release

    • Journaling or letter-writing prompts designed to open emotion gently

    • Optional creative exercises like sensory reflection, ritual writing, or guided imagery


      You’ll be invited to write freely; some weeks may inspire longer letters, others may feel quieter and more contemplative.

  • This space is gentle, grounded, and non-performative.

    While you’ll explore difficult emotions, the goal is not to reopen wounds but to create meaning and presence through language.

    You are always encouraged to move at your own pace and take breaks when needed.

  • That’s completely normal. Writing about grief can bring up strong feelings. Each module includes reflection questions and grounding suggestions to help you pause and care for yourself. You can also skip or adapt prompts as needed; there is no pressure to share more than feels right.

  • Not at all! You don’t need to have written anything before, and you don’t have to worry about grammar or form.

    This course focuses on expression, not perfection.

    You don’t have to write beautifully; you just have to write truthfully.

  • The course runs from January 12th to April 6th of 2026, and is fully asynchronous and individual.

    You’ll receive:

    • 12 modules with readings and writing invitations

    • Optional reflection exercises and rituals

    • Personalized written feedback each week

    There are no live meetings or group sharing. This is your private writing sanctuary.

  • Most participants spend 1–2 hours per week reading, reflecting, and writing. You can move more slowly or more quickly depending on your needs. Grief isn’t linear, and neither is this course.

  • You’re welcome to move at your own pace.

    You can submit your writing anytime before the course ends in April and still receive my feedback. If you need more time beyond that, you may request a deferral to the next session (by February 2nd, 2026).

  • Each week, I’ll respond to your writing with gentle, personalized notes focusing on what resonates, what’s emerging in your voice, and how your words move through emotion and image. My feedback centers on reflection and affirmation, not correction.

  • Journaling is often private and unstructured.

    Letters to What Was offers a guided container; a rhythm of weekly themes, readings, and feedback that helps you deepen your relationship with your writing and grief. You’re not alone; you’re writing in conversation with a witness who honors your process.

  • That’s wonderful! This course is not therapy, but it can complement your healing work. Many participants find that writing helps them process insights between sessions or communicate emotions more clearly.

  • Tuition is $250.

    You can enroll through my Acuity site linked at the bottom of this webpage.

    Enrollment closes on January 11, 2026.

  • Refunds:

    Full refunds are available at any time before January 12, 2026 (the first day of class).

    A 50% refund may be requested from Jan 12th - Jan 18th (the first week of the course).

    Tuition becomes non-refundable after January 18th, 2026.

    Deferrals:

    Participants who are unable to continue may request a deferral to a future session.

    To qualify, deferral requests must be submitted by February 2nd, 2026.

    Requests received after this date cannot be guaranteed.

    Deferred enrollments may be applied to any session within twelve (12) months of the original start date. There is no administrative fee for deferral, though course content may be updated between sessions.

  • No. Everything you submit remains private between you and me.

    Confidentiality is essential to the integrity of this space.

  • You’ll receive a final reflection letter and optional prompts for continuing your practice.

    You’ll also have the option to work with me one-on-one through expressive writing sessions for deeper or ongoing guidance.

  • Yes. You can gift an enrollment by emailing write@colorsoftheriver.com

  • You’re welcome to reach out anytime at write@colorsoftheriver.com

    I typically respond within 2-3 days.