Why Joyful Rebel?
Because it's time to reclaim authentic voices.
My mom is one of my best friends and I tell her everything. She’s seen me through so many experiences, including pits of despair and epic achievements. A couple weeks ago I spent my birthday with her and we spent every waking moment talking about all the things.
She asked me why I called my writing groups Joyful Rebel, since the traditional definition of a rebel is someone who uprises against an established authority or government. I laughed as I pondered the answer and hoped I could articulate it clearly enough.
I’ve written about this before - that the main conversation I find online and in writing circles is about writing to publish. But that’s just one aspect.
I explained to my mom that writing is so much more than just a path to publishing a book. There are so many other reasons we write.
Reasons that have nothing to do with external validation or finished products and everything to do with the process itself: the discovery, the healing and the transformation.
That’s why when the universe whispered the words Joyful Rebel Writer to me one night, it felt so right.
I’m here to have conversations about writing that go beyond craft and critique. I want to talk about the deep, soul-level experience of putting words on a page - the kind of writing that connects you to your truth, your energy and your body.
Because writing isn’t just a mental exercise. It’s a somatic practice, an embodied experience where you meet yourself fully, listen deeply and allow what’s inside you to spill forth from your pen. It’s a way to reclaim your voice, not just on the page but in your life.
Writing in this way is not about getting it right. It’s not about grammar, sentence structure, or following the “rules.” It’s about writing as a living practice - a way to connect, to release, to make space for what’s been waiting to be spoken. It’s about expanding your capacity for creativity, connection, and joy.
My mom nodded and I could see the wheels turning. She’s never considered herself a writer and I have to wonder, if that limited write —> publish conversation is the reason why. Even people who attend my writing circles tell me all the time they’re not real writers. And I challenge them to rebel against that belief.
The Three Pillars
Ever since the pandemic, it’s been clear how disconnected we feel from each other, and from ourselves. I believe writing is one way to reclaim that connection. These are the three pillars that drive the Joyful Rebel Writer movement.
Capacity – Writing helps us expand our ability to hold emotions, ideas, and experiences. It gives us a container to process, to breathe, to make sense of the chaos and beauty of life.
Connection – Writing isn’t just a solitary act. It’s a bridge between our inner and outer worlds, between ourselves and others. When we write and share in community, we create a space for deep listening, resonance and understanding.
Creativity – Writing is a rebellion against stagnation. It’s movement, flow, play. It’s showing up to the page whether words come easily or not, trusting that something will emerge. It’s allowing creativity to exist outside of productivity or perfection.
So, let’s just write!!
Not to be published.
Not to prove anything.
Not to be good at it.
But because it feels good! Because it helps us process emotions, understand ourselves, and tap into something deeper! Because it brings joy.
This is the kind of writing space I hold.
This is the vision I have for our world - where everyone can claim they are a writer just because they write.
This is the heart of Joyful Rebel Writer.
Want to join this rebellion? Come write with me. I host online and in-person writing circles every week, where we write without rules. You can find all the details at JoyfulRebelWriter.com.
I’ll meet you on the page 😀