Inspiring Conversations with Robin Finn of Heart. Soul. Pen. Women’s Writing Collective

Hi Robin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
“Eat. Pray. Write. Drive Carpool.” – that was my life for many years. As a writer, mother of three, and inner peace enthusiast, I did my best to raise three kids – including one with severe ADHD – while maintaining my sanity and carving out some small space for my writing. It wasn’t easy but I did it. As my kids got older and I had more time for myself, I began teaching and coaching other women writers on how to be a “ruthless prioritizer.” There is no other way for women to get their writing done other than to prioritize their creative life higher up on their list. For many women, it falls below ‘Go to Trader Joe’s,’ ‘do laundry,’ ‘answer emails,’ if it is on their list at all. For me, finding my voice on the page transformed my life. I became a personal essaysist, saw my work published in dream outlets like The New York Times and L.A. Times, wrote a novel (Restless in L.A. – available on Amazon!) launched Heart. Soul. Pen. Women’s writing program began, teaching at UCLA Extension Writer’s Program, and have had the honor of working with so many amazing, talented, and brilliant women. Helping other women find their voice on the page is a joy. It gives me the opportunity to shout from the rooftops how worthy women’s stories are, how sorely needed they are in the world, and how powerful it is to be in community with other women. Too many women think their stories are not important, which could not be further from the truth. Right now, as a writer, I am writing about loss, identity, the fifties, and my upcoming empty nest. As a teacher, my Heart. Soul. Pen. course is taught quarterly on Zoom and during Covid, I launched an online writing space for women known as ‘The Den,” available for women anytime, anywhere, regardless of their schedules. I know the power of writing for women. I believe that finding your voice on the page transforms your writing and your life.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I turned fifty, I committed to writing a weekly blog documenting my much-awaited midlife crisis. I was going to write about my kids going to college, my new yoga practice, my fiftieth-birthday wine-tasting trip, etc. Instead, we had a global pandemic, my kids went to Zoom school, and my mom died. Things never turn out like we plan. I think that is the biggest challenge of all: how to keep going in the face of the unknown? As a writer, my blog turned into a chronicle of covid and losing my mother and grieving. It wasn’t what I thought it would be and yet, it was a journey filled with pain, joy, and, ultimately, acceptance. ‘Write the words no matter what,” is what I tell myself. Whatever the struggle, for me, writing is the only way through it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Heart. Soul. Pen. blends my background in spiritual psychology, women’s health, and writing in way that empowers women through words. Heart. Soul. Pen. is more than a writing class; it’s a women’s writing collective that aims to meet women where they are, which means flexibility is key! To that end, Heart. Soul. Pen. is offered as an 8-week writing course quarterly throughout the year. For women who are schedule-challenged (writer moms, caregivers, etc.), the ‘Heart. Soul. Pen. Den is a private online membership community that is always open. Women can write and share whenever works for them, no matter the time or location. I also offer single-evening guided writing workshops which provide a big hit of inspiration. Everything Heart. Soul. Pen. offers is based on: creativity, community, and connection. Writers of all levels, from new to experienced writers and the ‘writer curious’ are welcome. You do not need to be a “writer” to unleash your radical self-expression!