As a kid I was immersed in language; surrounded by stories, music, books, and poetry from many places, perspectives, and eras in time. I’m grateful to have grown up in a community aware of how awfully beautiful the world is; one that nurtured my own creativity, compassion, and critical thinking — and imparted values of generosity, interdependence, social and environmental justice, all of which I find to be cultivated in the practice of River Writing today.

It means a lot to me that the practice is open to anyone and welcoming of everyone who wants to be at the table; a place where we don’t have to fit in or be experienced writers or “get poetry” to belong.

I appreciate how River Writing helps me grow my capacity for being present and paying attention. I love how the structure of the practice supports curiosity and discovery: we write and read without commentary, comparison, critique or praise, without the goal to craft, solve, or prove anything. Each time I get to do it I’m moved by how meaningful it is to be together in this intentional way — facilitating a depth of connection and freedom of expression I find precious and rare. 

I am honored to have witnessed the birth of River Writing in 2015, which coincided with my own rebirth as Beatrice, living openly and authentically in my own skin as the woman I have always been.

My life is enriched by the tapestry of history, the narratives passed down through the ages, the poetic, the prosaic, the epic, and the commonplace. As a facilitator I seek to bring us into the mythopoetic conversation and the conversation with our history and our future. Whether you ever share the fruits of your pen outside of our circle or not, you have etched a piece of human history, and if that piece survives you and the ages you have enriched future generations’ understanding of their own past, which I consider a sacred and miraculous thing.

My heart belongs to my spouse, Ellery, our partner, Robin, and to my dear friends and family. I must bow to my mother, Nan Seymour, founder and fountain of River Writing, who inspires me every day to pursue my passions as a writer and facilitator. I look forward to many years of flowing in these waters, narrative and spiritual, turbulent and placid.

Hi, I'm Rachel. I came to River Writing at a time of profound transition in my life. My daughter and granddaughters had just moved across the country. I had one child in college and the youngest in the last year of high school, and I had just ended a twenty-year destructive, co-dependent relationship with alcohol. I was looking for a way to make sense of the stories in my head and my heart. 

River Writing gives me permission to show up exactly how I am, permission to laugh at myself, and to take myself very seriously. To be a listener and to be heard. 

I became a facilitator hoping to share the magic River Writing has been in my life with anyone who might need it in theirs.

All funds raised at this session will be donated to Tree Utah
Thursday, August 26th 6:30-8:30pm MST
Meeting in City Creek Canyon near SLC, Utah
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)

Sunday, September 12th
3-5pm MST
Live at Laziz Kitchen in SLC, UT
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)
Registration will open August 31st!

8 week series beginning
October 25th, 6:30-8am MST
Meeting on Zoom
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)
Registration Opens August 25th!

8 week series beginning
October 3rd, 3-5pm MST
Live at Laziz Kitchen in SLC, Utah
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)
Registration Opens August 4th!

Rise up and write!
Monday, August 30th 6:30-8:30am MST
Meeting on Zoom
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)
Register Here

6 week series beginning
September 11th, 9:30-11am MST
Meeting on Zoom
Inspired by the work of Black poets
Everyone is Welcome! (16+)
Register Here

Hello, my name is Moudi. I am a lover, community activist, and writer, dedicating my time and passion to collectively building a more possible world. I grew up in Lebanon until circumstances beyond my control brought me to Utah in 2006. Since then, I've built a home and community in Salt Lake City. You may recognize me from the landmark case marriage rights lawsuit I was involved in during 2013, or the beloved restaurant (Laziz Kitchen) I once started and now passed on to caring hands. Today, I am pursuing a thread of curiosity into the deeper learning of Sufi mysticism, relational well being, and narrative health. I enjoy poetry, reading, dancing, coloring, climbing, and cooking. I also love writing in community, and hope to share a table with you as we discover ourselves on the page.