Sparks Prompt-Style Writing Workshop
Want to write about your experience but aren’t sure where to begin?
Rooted in the science of expressive writing as a post-traumatic growth tool for healing, the Wildfire "Sparks" writing workshop is the cancer support group you've been missing. Or, as we like to say around here, it's the cancer support group for people who don't like traditional support groups.
No writing experience necessary. Each week, your facilitator, April Stearns, will deliver a series of writing prompts and inspiration designed to give you an entry point to the page and your experiences. Your job is simply to allow the words to flow out of you in stream-of-consciousness style.
Give yourself the gift of writing alongside others who understand being diagnosed with breast cancer younger — or on your own schedule, in your own space, at your own pace. Either way, you're never "the cancer one" here. Sparks meets you where you are.
Some describe this experience as therapy. Some say it's better than therapy. Writing enables you to go deep and connect with yourself — and whether you join us live or work through the prompts on your own, you'll find meaning, fill a notebook, and surprise yourself along the way. Even if you don't consider yourself a writer.
Two ways to write your way through it.
Sparks is now available in two formats. Same prompts. Same facilitator. Your choice of how to show up. Here's how they compare.
Both options run for 5 weeks · No prior writing experience needed · Facilitated by April Stearns
Scroll down for upcoming Sparks start dates.
How does it work?
Live Group April facilitates five live sessions via Zoom, once per week for five weeks, two and a half hours each. An intentionally small class size keeps the experience intimate and gives everyone space to write, share, and connect. Live sessions do sell out — if you're interested, don't wait. Although not required, headphones with a mic are helpful. (The prompts are also shared in a student portal for re-visiting outside of the live session.)
Self-Paced Each week's prompts and April's video guidance are waiting for you in the student portal — work through them whenever and wherever fits your life. You'll have 8 weeks of access in total. Have a question along the way? You're welcome to reach out to April directly by email. A notebook and pen at the ready is highly recommended.
Both the live and self-paced versions of Sparks run on the same schedule. Each Thursday, a new week of prompts is presented.
Who is Sparks for?
Sparks might be just what you need if:
You are seeking an alternative to traditional cancer support groups.
You have experienced a breast cancer diagnosis.
You are open to mixed-stage breast cancer groups (Stage 0 - Stage IV) — or you prefer to write solo, on your own terms.
You were diagnosed under 50.*
You enjoy writing or find writing useful in processing life’s traumas.
You don’t consider yourself a writer yet but would love to try expressive writing.
You identify as female, nonbinary, or a trans man.
*Diagnosed older than 50 but resonate with Wildfire and think Sparks might be a good fit for you? Reach out for a consultation with April.
Sparks might NOT be for you if:
You were diagnosed with breast cancer six or fewer months ago. If you're considering the live group, you may be in a tender place in your survivorship and could find others' experiences activating. The self-paced option may feel gentler — but when in doubt, reach out and we'll help you figure out the right fit.
You were not diagnosed with breast cancer.
You prefer breast cancer groups that are specifically early-stage diagnosis or specifically Stage IV diagnosis. (The self-paced option may be worth considering if group dynamics are the concern.)
You don’t enjoy writing with writing prompts.
Money is tight right now. (You can absolutely write for free!)
Sparks Series Coming Up
Here's the Fall series product page:
Sparks Prompt-Style Writing Workshop — Fall Series October 8 – November 5, 2026
Available in two formats — select your option at checkout:Self-Paced — $175 | Live Group — $238Billed automatically as two monthly payments ($87.50 x 2 for Self-Paced / $119 x 2 for Live Group)
Want to write your stories but aren't sure where to begin? Maybe you love writing but struggle to find the time — or maybe you've never thought of yourself as a writer but feel a pull toward the page. A prompt-style writing workshop is just the thing. Prompts give you an entry point so you're never staring at a blinking cursor feeling lost. They guide your thoughts, unlock your stories, and help you build an ongoing writing practice — one week at a time.
Each Thursday, a new week of April's original writing prompts and video guidance unlocks in the student portal. Both formats follow the same five-week schedule, so everyone is working from the same material at the same time.
What's included in both formats:
30 original writing prompts crafted by April (6 per week over 5 weeks)
Weekly video guidance from April to set the tone and spark your writing
8 weeks of student portal access
A writing experience rooted in expressive writing as a tool for healing and meaning-making
Live Group — $238(2 automatic payments of $119)
Give yourself the gift of writing in community with others who understand being diagnosed with breast cancer younger. In this workshop, you're never "the cancer one." Together we'll write away some of our stress — and find healing by using writing as a tool to find meaning. Some describe this experience as therapy. Some say it's better than therapy.
Five live sessions on Zoom, Thursdays at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
2.5 hours of writing, discussion, and sharing each week
Optional sharing — no critics, only listening, never pressure
Limited to 15 participants to foster a warm, intimate environment
Writers joining from across the US, Canada, UK, and beyond
Headphones with a mic recommended
Fall dates:
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29
November 5
Self-Paced — $175(2 automatic payments of $87.50)
Prefer to write on your own schedule, in your own space? Self-Paced Sparks delivers the same prompts and April's video guidance directly to your student portal each Thursday — yours to work through whenever and wherever fits your life. You'll have 8 weeks of access so there's no pressure to keep pace perfectly. A notebook and pen at the ready is highly recommended.
Questions along the way? You're always welcome to reach out to April directly by email.
Portal access opens: October 22, 2026
Sparks Prompt-Style Writing Workshop — Winter Series January 21 – February 18, 2027
Available in two formats — select your option at checkout: Self-Paced — $175 | Live Group — $238 Billed automatically as two monthly payments ($87.50 x 2 for Self-Paced / $119 x 2 for Live Group)
Want to write your stories but aren't sure where to begin? Maybe you love writing but struggle to find the time — or maybe you've never thought of yourself as a writer but feel a pull toward the page. A prompt-style writing workshop is just the thing. Prompts give you an entry point so you're never staring at a blinking cursor feeling lost. They guide your thoughts, unlock your stories, and help you build an ongoing writing practice — one week at a time.
Each Thursday, a new week of April's original writing prompts and video guidance unlocks in the student portal. Both formats follow the same five-week schedule, so everyone is working from the same material at the same time.
What's included in both formats:
30 original writing prompts crafted by April (6 per week over 5 weeks)
Weekly video guidance from April to set the tone and spark your writing
8 weeks of student portal access
A writing experience rooted in expressive writing as a tool for healing and meaning-making
Live Group — $238(2 automatic payments of $119)
Give yourself the gift of writing in community with others who understand being diagnosed with breast cancer younger. In this workshop, you're never "the cancer one." Together we'll write away some of our stress — and find healing by using writing as a tool to find meaning. Some describe this experience as therapy. Some say it's better than therapy.
Five live sessions on Zoom, Thursdays at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
2.5 hours of writing, discussion, and sharing each week
Optional sharing — no critics, only listening, never pressure
Limited to 15 participants to foster a warm, intimate environment
Writers joining from across the US, Canada, UK, and beyond
Headphones with a mic recommended
Winter dates:
January 21
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
Self-Paced — $175(2 automatic payments of $87.50)
Prefer to write on your own schedule, in your own space? Self-Paced Sparks delivers the same prompts and April's video guidance directly to your student portal each Thursday — yours to work through whenever and wherever fits your life. You'll have 8 weeks of access so there's no pressure to keep pace perfectly. A notebook and pen at the ready is highly recommended.
Questions along the way? You're always welcome to reach out to April directly by email.
Portal access opens: January 21, 2027
Sparks Prompt-Style Writing Workshop — Spring Series March 25 – April 22, 2027
Available in two formats — select your option at checkout: Self-Paced — $175 | Live Group — $ 238. Billed automatically as two monthly payments ($87.50 x 2 for Self-Paced / $119 x 2 for Live Group)
Want to write your stories but aren't sure where to begin? Maybe you love writing but struggle to find the time — or maybe you've never thought of yourself as a writer but feel a pull toward the page. A prompt-style writing workshop is just the thing. Prompts give you an entry point so you're never staring at a blinking cursor feeling lost. They guide your thoughts, unlock your stories, and help you build an ongoing writing practice — one week at a time.
Each Thursday, a new week of April's original writing prompts and video guidance unlocks in the student portal. Both formats follow the same five-week schedule, so everyone is working from the same material at the same time.
What's included in both formats:
30 original writing prompts crafted by April (6 per week over 5 weeks)
Weekly video guidance from April to set the tone and spark your writing
8 weeks of student portal access
A writing experience rooted in expressive writing as a tool for healing and meaning-making
Live Group — $238(2 automatic payments of $119)
Give yourself the gift of writing in community with others who understand being diagnosed with breast cancer younger. In this workshop, you're never "the cancer one." Together we'll write away some of our stress — and find healing by using writing as a tool to find meaning. Some describe this experience as therapy. Some say it's better than therapy.
Five live sessions on Zoom, Thursdays at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
2.5 hours of writing, discussion, and sharing each week
Optional sharing — no critics, only listening, never pressure
Limited to 15 participants to foster a warm, intimate environment
Writers joining from across the US, Canada, UK, and beyond
Headphones with a mic recommended
Live Group Meet Ups:
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 15
April 22
Self-Paced — $175(2 automatic payments of $87.50)
Prefer to write on your own schedule, in your own space? Self-Paced Sparks delivers the same prompts and April's video guidance directly to your student portal each Thursday — yours to work through whenever and wherever fits your life. You'll have 8 weeks of access so there's no pressure to keep pace perfectly. A notebook and pen at the ready is highly recommended.
Questions along the way? You're always welcome to reach out to April directly by email.
Portal access opens: March 26, 2026
What People Are Saying
*(If you are/were older than 50 at the time of your diagnosis and still want to join email April to discuss: editor@wildfirecommunity.org)
Ready to take your writing to the next level? Check out our Fire Starters workshop series!
Not quite ready to commit? Check out our monthly Pop up!