In this special first segment of a two part Courage to Create, Bethany leads the group of writers from her pilot program of Write. Submit. Support. during their most recent retreat. This group of writers has worked together for three years now, and they continue to retreat together twice yearly at The Writing Barn. The theme of this retreat was “Reclaiming Your Brave,” and during this episode, listeners will hear Bethany and the ten retreat participants discuss various aspects of how they are doing that in their creative lives and how they plan to add more bravery to their work. Listeners can also engage in the various writing exercises Bethany led the group in over the course of their afternoon workshop. Participants were asked to use elements of their childhood selves that they wanted to reclaim and embrace anew in themselves and their characters. The group discusses the challenges and the importance of trying new things as well as looking honestly not just at your weaknesses as a writer but also at your strengths. “Having a want can be scary because it means for a time we’re going to go unfulfilled,” Bethany tells the class who then expounds on how to cope with this knowledge and not let it stop you from starting or continuing your work. Tune in next week for part two of this episode, and meanwhile, check out The Writing Barn’s online Write. Submit. Support. programming at http://www.thewritingbarn.com/upcoming-classes/#online