WOMEN WRITE NOW
A Mindful Writing Retreat
Friday, Feb. 21 - Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025
Pacific Palisades, CA
Early Bird Price: $899
Every woman has a story to share;
a voice that needs to be heard.
Now is the time to put your words on the page, for yourself, for others, and for the world.
​
Join us for the Women Write Now Retreat, led by Candace Coakley and Nora Plesent, and embark on journey of creative self-discovery through writing.
​
Whether you feel stuck with your writing, want to begin a new project, yearn for dedicated time to write, or crave connection with a like-minded community of women writers, this retreat is designed for you.
​
Flannery O’Connor wisely said we “write to discover what we know.”
​
This is your time for self-discovery. Throughout the weekend, you’ll connect with your inner voice, gain clarity on your writing goals, and develop the strategies you need to build a meaningful writing practice—with purpose, self-compassion, and joy.
​
Whether you write fiction, nonfiction, or memoir, this workshop will fuel your creativity and refresh your mindset. Writers of all levels are welcome. Through expert instruction, mindful exploration, and community support, you’ll leave the retreat with a clear action plan and renewed confidence in your writing journey. We’ll reflect, breathe, and write—all you need to bring is an open mind and heart.
Retreat Overview
Friday, February 21 | 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
-
Arrival and Connection: Settle in, meet your fellow participants, and get ready to usher in a transformative weekend.
-
Centering Activity: We’ll begin the retreat with a guided meditation and creativity practice to set our intentions, spark our energy, and bring the heart and mind together to write with clarity and purpose.
-
Casual Dinner at the Gathering
Saturday, February 22 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
-
Morning Meditation: Begin the day with a peaceful, grounding meditation.
-
Mindset and Writing Craft Sessions: Learn essential mindset habits and techniques for crafting your story. We'll share practical tips to build a mindful writing practice and creative exercises to fuel your inspiration.
-
Settle Your Mind, Sharpen Your Story Mindful Writing workbook to transform your approach to writing and create meaningful, impactful work with greater ease and clarity.
-
Focused Writing Time: Enjoy designated, uninterrupted time to write and reflect.
-
Meditative Walk: Venture out and experience a reflective walk along the scenic bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
-
Gourmet lunch: Gather on the patio to enjoy a healthy, nourishing lunch at the retreat site. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available throughout the day.
-
One-on-One Sessions: Get personalized support in individual sessions with Candace and Nora. They are ready to help you achieve your writing goals.
-
Dinner: We'll gather at a lovely local restaurant (not included in price).
Sunday, February 23 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
-
Coffee, Tea & Breakfast Treats
-
Guided Meditation: Center yourself with a brief meditation to honor your newfound clarity.
-
Writing Session: Dive into more focused writing time and continue to make progress on your project. Additional time to meet with Candace and Nora to finalize your mindful writing plan going forward.
-
Closing Ceremony: Conclude the retreat with a meaningful ceremony which will leave you refreshed and ready to embrace your writing journey.
Meet Your Instructors:
Candace Coakley is a writer, certified book coach, and mindfulness instructor passionate about helping others embrace the creative process and share their wisdom through writing. Specializing in memoir, Candace brings thirty years of writing and teaching experience to her work. She founded Candace Coakley Editorial Solutions to support writers in achieving their writing and publishing goals. She has helped hundreds of writers publish through traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing routes.
Her lifelong meditation practice is the secret to her sanity and a skill she loves to share. As a trauma-sensitive mindfulness coach, Candace guides writers in deepening their stories with compassion. She graduated from Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach’s Mindfulness Mentor Training and holds certifications in Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). As a Reiki master, she integrates the power of energy healing into all aspects of her life. Candace lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband, three young adult children who visit often, and their sweet rescue dog, Hope.
Nora Plesent has been supporting women personally and
professionally for almost 40 years. After graduating from law school, she became a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Division of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, bringing justice to women who had been sexually assaulted and abused. She then founded a multi-million-dollar contract legal staffing company with the goal of creating flexible work arrangements for women trying to balance family and career. Nora is also the creator of the New Girls Network, an alliance of female leaders promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession, and writes, speaks, and hosts seminars on cutting-edge topics for women in law and business. Nora received The New York Women’s Agenda Rising Star Reward in 2006.
​
In 2013, The Los Angeles Lakers and Comerica Bank honored Nora with the LA Business Women of Entrepreneurship Award. Nora was also the recipient of the Highest Leaf Award, honoring women in business in 2016.​
Nora Plesent has been supporting women personally and professionally for almost 40 years. After graduating from law school, she became a prosecutor in the Sex Crimes Division of the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, bringing justice to women who had been sexually assaulted and abused. She then founded a multi-million-dollar contract legal staffing company with the goal of creating flexible work arrangements for women trying to balance family and career. Nora is also the creator of the New Girls Network, an alliance of female leaders promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession, and writes, speaks, and hosts seminars on cutting-edge topics for women in law and business. Nora received The New York Women’s Agenda Rising Star Reward in 2006.
​
In 2013, The Los Angeles Lakers and Comerica Bank honored Nora with the LA Business Women of Entrepreneurship Award. Nora was also the recipient of the Highest Leaf Award, honoring women in business in 2016.
​
As a single mom of four children, Nora knows first-hand the challenges of trying to do it all. At a difficult time in her life, when stress threatened her well-being, Nora discovered meditation and learned to slow down, breathe, and let go of unhelpful and recurring thoughts and expectations. She became a certified meditation instructor and now guides individuals and corporate groups to become calmer, more focused, and more creative. Nora has the experience, background, intelligence, and wisdom to help her clients become the best versions of themselves. She uses meditation, reflection, and writing to achieve the desired results.
​
Nora founded The Gathering in 2019 for women to come together in a serene setting for wellness retreats, focused on meditation, authentic conversation, mindful exercise, and gourmet eating. Nora’s individual coaching, corporate programs, and wellness retreats are also offered online. She is a bestselling author of Be Still and Soar, and her memoir Shattered will be released in 2025. For more info, visit https://www.noraplesent.com
Retreat Location and Accommodations
Retreat Location:
​
The Gathering - noraplesent.com
​
Nora’s welcoming community space is a private home in Pacific Palisades, where writers and mindfulness practitioners can gather and celebrate in a loving, nurturing setting. The location is provided upon registration.
Accommodation Options:
There are many local hotels to choose from within fifteen minutes of the Gathering.
We recommend these two:
Channel Road Inn - channelroadinn.com
​
Located in the vibrant coastal community of Santa Monica, the Channel Road Inn offers a boutique inn experience over big-city accommodations in the Los Angeles area.
Many of the 15 charming guestrooms in this finely crafted, historic inn offer fireplaces, balconies, or a peek of the ocean.
Regardless of which room you choose, all guests enjoy warm hospitality, modern comforts, and a host of amenities in this haven by the sea.
*Channel Road Inn is a six-minute drive from the retreat location.
Santa Monica Proper Hotel - properhotel.com
Santa Monica Proper introduces a new kind of luxury to Santa Monica. Ideally located within walking distance to the beach, its 267 rooms are designed to harness the natural light and ocean breezes, reflecting the local coastline’s organic tones and textures.
Enjoy exclusive access to the Westside’s only rooftop pool deck, perfect for Pacific sunsets.
Embrace wellness at Surya Spa with its Eastern-inspired treatments. Situated in the city’s vibrant heart, the hotel is steps away from boutique shopping, health-conscious cafes, the renowned farmers market, and exquisite dining.
*Santa Monica Proper Hotel is a ten-minute drive from the retreat location.
Praise from Past Retreat Attendees
Candace Coakley
“I really enjoyed Candace’s "Mindful Approach to Writing” workshop. I’m a Type A and often struggle with settling my mind to open the creative channels and stay in my chair. The concepts, body-awareness exercises, journal prompts, and workbook were beneficial. Candace’s encouragement is warm and genuine. She sincerely cares about helping others feel more grounded so they can benefit from mindfulness.” - Joni B. Cole, writing instructor and author, Good Naked: How to Write More, Write Better and Be Happier
"I am a writer, and I meditate daily. I am grateful to Candace for showing me how these two practices support one another. Her class led me into a state of calm where I could find my voice. What a gift for writing and life." - Tracy Wood, author, My Mother's Piano
“Candace is a talented writer, book coach, and mindfulness mentor. In a workshop we cohosted on Memoir & Meditation, I witnessed her commitment to encouraging writers to integrate mindfulness into their writing practice. She is passionate about her work and supports writers to dig deep and find their true story and voice.” - Liz Kinchen, mindfulness teacher and author, Light in Bandaged Places: Healing in the Wake of Young Betrayal
​
"Candace's coaching process goes far beyond craft feedback and editorial advice to include accountability, encouragement, and mindfulness. Working with her has absolutely transformed my creative writing practice. Where in the past I had been poorly fueled by stress and shame, I now feel abundantly resourced with assurance, calm, and even joy. Completing my manuscript feels not only possible but inevitable!" - Meg Hayden, writer and book coaching client
Nora Plesent
“If there’s another place like this in LA to gather, I sure don’t know about it. Nora’s found a way to fill a gap for women seeking community, meditation, relaxation, thoughtful conversation, and more. It’s so cozy and personal. It’s perfect!”
- Vicki Unger, Chapter Chair, Women’s Presidents’ Organization
​
“Nora Plesent is a beautiful and caring soul with the unique talent to unite women, creating the safe and nurturing space necessary for connecting, healing, and inspiration. This experience is a must.” - Workshop participant
​
“Nora is brilliant in the way she organizes and teaches her classes. She always presents a relevant topic, followed by a beautiful and meaningful meditation, writing, and discussion. As if that isn't enough, we are given poetry, book suggestions, and music. She brings calm and understanding to our otherwise fearful and anxious days. It is as though Nora is giving our busy minds and racing hearts a much-needed break. I am so grateful for her wisdom and commitment to bring light into our lives.” - Carol Yellin, MFT
