Why Devotion to Writing?

Devotion to Writing isn’t just about overcoming writer’s block and putting words on a page—it’s about transformation.

We guide writers on an alchemical journey of writing—turning fear into flow, doubt into confidence, and silence into dynamic expression.

Discover the power of showing up for yourself daily, and breaking the silence of the page. Cultivate a new, powerful writing habit, and along the way, forge a new relationship between you and writing, you and Creation—a belief in yourself as infinitely creative, and the fashioner of your abundant life.

The Alchemy of Devotion

A close-up photograph of a vintage typewriter showing the phrase 'the right to write' typed on a sheet of paper, with part of the typewriter's metal carriage and black and red ink ribbon visible.

“We become what we celebrate.” —Mattew Kelly

Devotion to Writing’s Unique Approach

“I’m glad I found Devotion to Writing. This is the kind of help I’ve been looking for.” —Domenic P.

  • Helps you write through the mental, physical, and emotional blocks that arrest you. 

  • Guides you as you cultivate a writing practice, find your voice, and develop faith in your talent and abilities.

  • Believes sustained practice (devotion) is the key to realizing your writing dreams. We use proven rituals and techniques to help you establish a writing habit.

  • Supports and encourages you as you remember, and reconnect with, the vital source of creativity you are.

  • Acknowledges that you already can write and shows you how to access the infinite spring of creativity within you. 

  • Accepts doubt and fear are part of the writing process, but easily are overcome through devotion.

  • Nurtures your natural inspiration and joy, making it easier for you to commence your writing life.

Workshops
Residencies
Retreats

Unlock Your Creativity

Courage - We believe writing is an act of courage, and a practice of care and affection.

Devotion - We show up—daily if possible—trusting that the words will come.

Curiosity - We stay curious, asking questions and welcoming the unexpected.

Truth - We write with courage, risking vulnerability to discover what’s in us, our voice, our heart, our world.

Play - We remember play is at the core of creativity. We allow surprise, joy, and happy accidents to inform our writing.

Craft - We honor the craft, shaping language with patience, and with reverence for the power of words and stories.

Reflection - We commune-listening deeply to ourselves and the world-when transcribing our unique voices to the page.

Presence - In devotion, we practice—not for perfection, but for process, presence, and the beauty discovered in creative actions.

Community - We write for others as well as for ourselves. Writing is not a commodity, it is the necessary expression of a unique Consciousness within each of us.

Justen Ahren is the author of two collections of poetry, A Strange Catechism, and A Machine for Remembering. In 2007, after receiving an MFA from Emerson College in Creative Writing, he founded Noepe Center for Literary Arts and The Martha’s Vineyard Writers’ Residency. He directed Noepe until 2018. The Martha’s Vineyard Emeritus Poet Laureate, from 2015-2018, Justen has appeared on NPR, his poetry and photography have appeared in numerous literary and photography journals, and been exhibited at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.  His writing has been adapted to the stage and set to music by Grammy Award winning composers Glen Roven and Ileana Vasquez.  In 2013, after his own creative awakening, he started offering Devotion to Writing to others. You can learn more about Justen, his books, and art at Justenahren.com, or on instagram @justenahren.

A middle-aged man with short gray hair, wearing a blue button-up shirt and sunglasses hanging around his neck, standing outdoors on a porch with a wooden deck and a house with large windows behind him. There are pink and red flowers on a table beside him and lush green trees in the background.

 FAQs

  • The core philosophy is a transformational approach that treats writing as a daily devotional practice. The goal is to help writers overcome fear and writer's block by cultivating consistency, joy, and a deeper connection to their innate creative flow, shifting the focus from perfection to the process.

  • Our programs are designed for all writers and creatives—from emerging voices who are just starting out to seasoned practitioners. If you are struggling with writer's block, seeking a sustainable daily practice, or looking for a supportive creative community, these offerings are for you.

  • A Retreat is typically a guided group experience in an inspiring location (like Italy, Portugal, or Martha's Vineyard) that includes structured workshops, guided exercises, and community sharing, focusing on igniting your creative practice. A Residency primarily provides dedicated time, space, and community support for you to focus intensely on an existing or new writing project without a heavy workshop schedule.

  • We offer both in-person workshops (often held in locations like Martha's Vineyard) and structured virtual workshops (typically held via Zoom) to provide flexible options for cultivating your writing devotion regardless of your location.

  • For Workshops, no specific project is required; the focus is on breaking blocks and establishing a practice. For Residencies, it is beneficial to have a project in mind, but the primary goal is cultivating your daily practice and making headway on your ideas, whether defined or nascent.

  • The duration varies depending on the format. Online Zoom workshops may run weekly for 5 to 12 consecutive weeks, while in-person workshops are typically 3-4 full days. Specific dates and durations for upcoming opportunities are posted on the website.

  • For Workshops and Retreats, you can typically register directly via the links provided on the respective program pages. For Residencies, there is usually a more formal application process to ensure the best fit for the intimate community.

  • While the focus is on the process of writing and overcoming blocks, our programs involve shared writing exercises and discussions. Some specific programs, especially workshops, offer opportunities for individualized guidance.

  • Our programs are not genre-specific. We welcome and support writers working in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, and other creative forms. The foundational techniques for overcoming creative blocks and establishing a devotional practice apply to all genres.

  • Due to the planning and venue commitments required for retreats and residencies, a strict cancellation and refund policy is in place. You should review the specific terms outlined on the registration page for each program before booking, as deposits are often non-refundable after a certain date.