tenacious writing
A writing program as comfy as your favorite pair of sweats. Craft and community resources, tailored exactly to you. Forever.
Years ago, we were lost on our writing journeys.
We knew we had stories to share. We knew we could do it if we could learn, practice, and grow into our best writer selves. But searching for the right craft resources (the ones that made sense) was utterly exhausting. Every day felt like a battle with self doubt and perfectionism (Are you sure you can do this? Why is it taking so long? Why can’t you show up consistently?). And finding other writers who understood us, and who could give feedback that was useful and didn’t feel like shit? Well that just felt impossible.
We had both lost the play and joy of writing... Then we found each other.
In 2018 we met in a random Twitter thread. We shared our work for feedback, we started learning writing craft together, and instantly everything changed. We discovered that craft doesn’t have to be prescriptive ‘rules’ because we each took what we learned together and implemented it in very different ways. With one another to lean on, we finally saw much perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt were holding us back—and worked through it together. Most of all, we found that sharing our work for feedback could be exhilarating, with absolutely no fear.
We realized that craft, community and mindset were the crux of a whole, fulfilling and fun writing life—and we KNEW we had to bring that magic to other writers.
We created Tenacious Writing, the writing resource we WISH we’d had:
craft skills that serve YOUR story
With Tenacious Writing’s badass, in-depth craft resources that don’t feel like gibberish, you’ll finally learn how to make the ‘rules’ of writing work for YOU. We break down how writing theory actually works into actionable and understandable lessons that will work with your amazing brain and your unique process.
How it happens: masterclasses, workshops, courses, study-groups, critique partnerships, writing groups, open coaching calls, etc.
a community of YOUR people
With Tenacious Writing, you’ll have your people in your pocket: people who get the ups and downs of this wild rollercoaster journey and will hold you up through it all, people you love sharing your work with because they can see your vision and their feedback is always loving and spot on. We’re the writer friends you deserve.
How it happens: community Slack forum, feedback training, critique partnerships, writing groups, group write-ins, Zoom watercoolers, etc.
a writing life that brings YOU joy
Writing a book is really freakin’ hard, but it should never be miserable. In Tenacious Writing we’re rewriting the perfectionist, self-doubt, hustle culture narratives that are trying to hold us back from doing the beautiful, vulnerable process of making art. Come rediscover the joy of making things without the weight of shame.
How it happens: masterclasses, writing friendships, open coaching calls, workshops, zoom watercoolers, etc.
Tenacious Writing is a choose-your-own-adventure style program.
With the perfect combo of resources, you will build a writing life that feels sustainable, fulfilling, and fun—without any prescriptions or rules.
Join us + set your writing up for life.
Members get forever access.
Yup. All future program content, community events, and future offerings at no extra cost. Forever.
“It is hands-down worth the investment! I look forward to our meetings every week and I absolutely credit Tenacious Writing for the fact that I am still going and nearly halfway done with my first draft. I can't imagine doing it without their support!” - Molly G.
I'm Emily, craft nerd and reformed perfectionist.
When I started writing, I decided to go for gold. I devoted myself to living the way “real writers” did and went ALL in (books, courses, classes, workshops). For years I juggled my day job, business, and writing every day at 5am—guided by all the planners and checklists that promised to bring me to success…
Until I collapsed. For days I couldn’t get out of bed. For months I couldn’t write a word.
In climbing out of burnout, I discovered that my obsessive processes were fueled by a fear that I was lazy and had to be ‘controlled’ if I was ever to amount to anything.
I set out on a multi-year journey to get to know myself and built a writing life that actually works for ME. Because of that work, I finally finished a draft. I discovered the writing rhythms that bring ME joy. I learned to enjoy the blank page. I stopped hustling and started living.
Now I’m devoted to helping you build a sustainable writing life that works for YOU, brings YOU joy, and fulfills you all the way to your bones.
Come fall in love with yourself and your writing journey, so others can love your stories too.
Xo, Emily
I’m Rachel, a pantser finding the perfect balance between craft, process, and inspiration.
I used to hate outlines. Despite all my careful planning, everything I wrote would deviate from my outline, and by the end of my drafts, nothing would make sense, my characters had no arcs, and my plot just didn’t work.
So I dove headfirst into learning as much about writing craft as I could in order to “fix” my brain and teach myself to become a plotter. Except the “rules” of craft sucked the enjoyment out of writing and left me feeling unmotivated and constantly blocked.
My brain felt like a failure and I had zero idea how to merge craft knowledge with creative process.
This became my mission. I set out to mesh the power of craft with my unique brain to develop a process that worked for me. I developed a process that lands at the intersection of planning and creative freedom, perfect for my writing life.
Now I’m devoted to helping writers harness the power of craft alongside the power of their unique brains. I can’t wait to teach you how to use craft and process as your tools to find the most sustainable writing life possible!
Xo, Rachel
“If you want a place to not only learn about the craft, but find critique partners AND an amazing, supportive community then this is it. Having fellow writers to study, write and hang out with in addition to two amazing coaches have really changed how I approach my writing. Yes, writing is a solitary activity, but solitary doesn't have to equate to lonely.“
Geeta B.
“Tenacious Writing is SO worth every penny. It will change how you think about writing and help you to enjoy it so much more. And the best part is you won't be alone! You'll have people right alongside you, learning and growing in their craft with you.”
Carey K.
“I feel like before I was just playing around without having any idea what I was doing with my writing. Now I feel like I have a roadmap and tools to actually get there, plus people who understand me. I have a much more realistic picture of the writing and editing process, and goals that feel more achievable.”
J.W. Ellenhall
we WON'T teach you:
- How to write XX words in XX days
- Feedback that makes you feel like shit
- Self-absorbed writing advice
- Guilt-trips if you don’t meet your daily word counts
- Passive aggressive side-eyes that judge your every word
- The ‘best’ way to write
- The universe’s #1 craft method
- How to pump out XX bestselling books a year
- Prescribing arbitrary rules to validate your writing experience
- How to never have any writing challenges ever
Nothing pisses us off more than a toxic writing culture that perpetuates hustle culture bullshit.
It inevitably damages your relationship with your writing and drives you straight to a burnout hellhole. We’ve all heard the stories of toxic communities, we’ve experienced them, and we’re fucking over it.
We’re over the idea that our worth is tied to our word count, and we’re over the idea that hustling ourselves to the bone is the only valid or meaningful way to achieve writing success.
inside you WILL find:
- Rebuilding our writing lives to be free from shame
- Craft lessons that meet you where you’re at
- Embracing our unique brains
- Developing processes that work with our bodies
- Feedback that feels as good as coffee with your best friend
- How to adapt to the ups and downs of the writing life
Tenacious Writing is here to help you build the craft knowledge, community support, and mindset fortitude that work for YOU.
We're here to help you get the stories in your heart onto paper in a way that connects with readers exactly how you want them to, without miring you in the shame and guilt of external expectations.
We value each and every writer as a person, over the bullshit of hustle culture which prioritizes output over health, sustainability, and joy.
If these beliefs sound like you too, you’ll be write (pun intended lol) at home in Tenacious Writing.
JOIN THE MOVEMENTWhen you join Tenacious Writing, you get instant access to...
From Idea to Outline
The 30-day outlining course that will revolutionize how you look at story structure forever. Outline with clarity. Draft with confidence. Never fear the blank page again.
Write Better Library
The ever growing library of 30+ hours of recorded courses, masterclasses, workshops, study groups, and other resources that will blast open your inner creative genius like dynamite to a river dam.
Feedback Training + Partnerships
The artistic feedback relationship is sacred. To become eligible for Tenacious Writing’s critique partnerships and small writing groups, you’ll go through a training to ensure that you make forever friends you trust, respect, and yearn to get feedback from. We’re making feedback loving and fun again!
Slack Community
The beating heart of our community lives in Slack, where we virtually congregate with writers from all over the world to connect about literally any writing topic. It’s party central, grab your dancing shoes and come on in.
Build a Sustainable Writing Routine
We all have different lives, brains, and rhythms. Your best, most fulfilling, most sustainable routine won’t look like anyone else’s. Come wade through all the hustle culture ‘shoulds’ and discover what really works best for you.
All future content!
Once you’re in Tenacious Writing you’re in forever, which means as we host new program events, courses, and workshops you’ll get access at no additional cost.
Regular LIVE events!
Tenacious Writing is a buzzing, happening place. We’re constantly hosting new live events for members, and once you’re in you’re in forever. There’s something happening every week, and you get access to ALL future events and courses at no additional cost. Events like…
Regular masterclasses on craft, process, and mindset topics hosted by Emily and Rachel or guests!
Weekly write-ins where you get to make BIG progress alongside your writing bestieseveryone else
Workshops where we actually practice craft skills together, get and give feedback, and level up like crazy
Study groups where we analyze published works to learn from the pros
Book clubs where we finally read all those craft books we’ve compiled and nerd out together
Monthly coaching calls where you can get coached directly by Emily and Rachel and learn from others’ challenges
Watercoolers where you get to hang out with, learn from, and get to know your new writer besties
This magical shit will SIMPLIFY your writing life. Guaranteed. 🤯
When you purchase, you'll get an invitation to the Tenacious Writing Start Here course, which will show you exactly where to get started and what to do—regardless of where you are in your writing journey. In just a few hours you’ll have new writing friends for life and know exactly where to turn for every writing challenge that comes your way. Tenacious Writing is yours forever, so you can take what you need as you need it.
JOIN THE PARTY
