Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

Name: Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)
Start: 2026-09-23T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-11-11T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Online

Online | Picture Books, Novels, Nonfiction, Poetry

Reach your writing goals! This workshop provides the structure, support, and accountability you need to get to a finished draft.

September 23 - November 11

Sarah AronsonChris TebbettsDaria PeoplesMore Faculty to Come

Online

$399

Overview

Move your writing project forward in Just Do It! This 8-week program starts with goal-setting and provides the accountability to get you putting words on paper. Foster your writing practice through live sessions, writing prompts, mindfulness guidance, studio dates, check-ins, and feedback with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, and Daria Peoples, and their special guests!

Evening sessions take place via Zoom on Wednesdays from 8pm – 9pm Eastern (September 23, 30, October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11)
Flexible “craft warm-ups” take place via Zoom on Wednesdays from 7pm – 8pm Eastern just prior to the week’s main presentation! Join as topics interest you, and/or watch the recordings!
Optional studio dates will take place via Zoom throughout the course on Thursdays at 8pm – 9pm Eastern with Daria Peoples. A second room will also be open during this same time for anyone looking for a quiet accountability space to write!
An interactive Canvas classroom with discussions and resources throughout the program.
A single, 1:1 20-minute consultation with faculty to discuss progress, ask questions, and plan for next steps.

“Just Do It reminded me to show up to the work daily whether I’m writing or thinking about the story. To trust my voice – all stuff I know, but it was really helpful to be reminded and encouraged.”

“Chris, Sarah and Daria were the perfect complement to each other! I gained so much from brainstorming with Sarah, learning about specific revision techniques and answering the hard questions with Chris, and found inspiration through Daria’s studio sessions. I would take this class from all three of them again in a heartbeat!”

“Chris Tebbetts is an extraordinary teacher—his direct critique went straight to the heart of my novel and the techniques he provided, through the live and recorded sessions gave me revision tools which are relevant to my manuscript and to my overall writing goals.”

“Daria’s studio nights were revelatory, and her whole “art for writers” approach brought so much more to the course!”

“The community of people—instructors and fellow students—that this class has provided has been instrumental in keeping my working on my story when there are so many distractions and reasons to stop.”

“This was a great choice for me because I’ve taken so many craft workshops and webinars, and this was more of a supportive, get the work done, every writer is unique, you’re making progress type of experience.”

“I grew as a writer, made new contacts and friends, and continued to find new motivation to keep writing my story! I felt connected and inspired on an almost daily basis.”

See more testimonials at From Just Do It to Just Did It!

Why This Workshop?

Moving ahead with a first draft (or tenth draft) can be extremely difficult. This collaborative program provides the support and structure you need to build momentum in your writing projects—no matter your format or genre.

Weekly presentations anchor the course, along with flexible “craft warm-ups” and studio hours, plus writing prompts and a 1:1 consultation with Sarah Aronson, Chris Tebbetts, or Daria Peoples.

You will have access to all recordings and discussions through December 31, 2026.

It’s a Great Fit If…

You are a creative at any stage in your journey—new or experienced—who craves support and accountability to complete your first draft, final draft, or any draft in between!
You write any genre, with children and/or teens as the intended audience. The writing prompts will sample from fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose, and more. Weekly studio hours will bring a variety of art prompts and play your way!
You’d like a high level of engagement with fellow writers and faculty so that you can move forward on your work-in-progress with new ideas and inspiration.
You crave time with fellow writers. We’ll build community online in this supportive, collaborative experience.
You enjoy online learning. This multi-week course relies on LIVE Zoom interaction and our Canvas classroom discussion boards.

Detailed Agenda

All Times are Eastern. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.

General Weekly Schedule and Creative Practice

General Schedule

Wednesdays: Optional “Craft Warm-up” or Open Mic (7–8pm Eastern), and then Presentation (8–9pm Eastern)
Thursdays: Optional Studio Hour (8–9pm Eastern) for creative exploration, prompts, or writing/reading accountability

Pre-Workshop

You will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers, engage Boyds Mills related resources (including our Community Standards), access the Zoom link, and ask program related questions before we dig in!

You will have access to all recordings and discussions through December 31, 2026.

Getting Started, Week 1

Wednesday, September 23: Live Zoom sessions
- Introductions & Overview (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Inspiration Presentation! with Sarah, Chris, and Daria (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, September 24 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Goal Setting Resources
- Intros!
- Writing prompts

Creativity in Practice, Week 2

Wednesday, September 30: Live Zoom sessions
- Craft Warm-up (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Presentation! with Chris (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, October 1 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts

Creativity in Pursuit, Week 3

Wednesday, October 7: Live Zoom sessions
- Open Mic (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Presentation! with Sarah (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, October 8 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts

Welcome Special Guests! Week 4

Wednesday, October 14: Live Zoom sessions
- Craft Warm-up (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Special Guest Presentation! (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, October 15 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts

Welcome Special Guests! Week 5

Wednesday, October 21: Live Zoom sessions
- Open Mic (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Special Guest Presentation! (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, October 22 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts
- Sign Up for 1:1 Session

Welcome Special Guests! Week 6

Wednesday, October 28: Live Zoom sessions
- Craft Warm-up (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Special Guest Presentation! (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, October 29 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts

Sustaining a Creative Life, Week 7

Wednesday, November 4: Live Zoom sessions
- Craft Warm-up (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Presentation! (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

Thursday, November 5 at 8pm Eastern with Daria Peoples
- Optional (but HIGHLY encouraged) Studio Hour: Come and write quietly, or get inspired by a weekly art prompt!

In the virtual classroom:
- Check-in
- Writing prompts

Celebrations! Week 8

Final Session!

Wednesday, November 11: Live Zoom sessions
- Open Mic Sharing & Celebrations! (7pm – 8pm Eastern)
- Final Q & A with Daria, Sarah, and Chris! (8pm – 9pm Eastern)

A Note About How Our Workshop Agendas Change and Evolve

About The Just Do It! Online Workshop

DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN

What Level of Feedback Can I Expect for My Work?

Informal feedback from faculty and peers during LIVE sessions and in the Canvas classroom.
A 1:1, 20-minute consultation with faculty (scheduled at a mutually convenient time during the online course) to discuss progress, ask questions, and plan for next steps.

What Level of Commitment is Expected During the Workshop?

Commitment Required for the Best Experience

This course is best if you engage in all live sessions. If you cannot attend live, please commit to keeping up with the writing prompts and check-ins.
Participants are encouraged to attend weekly studio hours and/or set aside time for your creativity.
Schedule your 1:1 meeting with faculty during the course at a mutually convenient time.
You will have access to all recordings and discussions through December 31, 2026.

How Does This Workshop Support Our Mission?

Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. A first draft is an important step to getting a story to a child. This online course can help get you to that crucial “first draft is done!” stage.

Can I Connect with Other Participants Prior to the Workshop?

The Canvas classroom will be a main space for online communication (before, during, and after the course). We will not share your contact information, though you are encouraged to set up groups and partners in ways that make sense for your creative needs and accountability.