Welcome! Thanks for visiting. Let’s start with a true story: At 40, I developed chronic stomach problems. To heal, I radically changed my diet, which eased my physical discomfort and energized me but didn’t resolve mental and emotional anguish that simmered under the radar for years. I desperately wanted to write and share my stories but was filled with self-doubt and irrational fears. I believed that if I wrote what I wanted to say, my husband would leave me, my parents would disinherit me, and I’d end up homeless or locked away in a psychiatric institution. Still, I wrote. Sometimes the words flowed, but often they didn’t, and I’d beat myself up. As my stomach screamed at me, I had five incomplete manuscripts in my file cabinet and a debilitating mid-life crisis. I was convinced I’d wasted my life. I’d devoted decades to writing—I loved it, but it didn’t seem to love me back. The world didn’t care if I wrote, yet I needed to write in ways I couldn’t explain. I enrolled in a master’s degree program in spiritual psychology and learned that my thinking sabotaged my health and happiness. I also discovered that I am not my thinking—I have thought, and it’s a beautiful tool, but it doesn’t define—and need not limit—me. I quit beating myself up, leaned into love, and found peace. I learned how to access my wisdom, which soothed my anxiety, helped me complete three books, and guided me to create Write Where You Are, my teaching and coaching practice. I’ve worked with hundreds of writers since 2008, many of whom have become published authors, coaches, healers, writing teachers, and more. I’m passionate about the power of writing to heal and transform lives and am devoted to helping others experience the freedom I’ve found. Mentors have mattered a lot in my life, and I’m grateful and honored to pass along the gifts I’ve been given. A few fun facts: • I was born and raised in New York but have lived my adult life in and around Los Angeles. • I’ve lived with my husband Jim—the love of my life—for 41 years. • We have a young adult daughter. • I studied dance at the Juilliard School and have earned degrees in dance and literature (Scripps College), film production with a screenwriting emphasis (USC), and spiritual psychology (USM). • For health reasons, I ate a 100% raw, vegan diet for five years—and wrote a memoir about it. • One of the most cherished compliments I’ve received came from a writer who told me: “You, madam, are a natural-born coach.” This was long before I became one. • I’ve had several mystical experiences that have shown me on a visceral level who I am. I confess I have a love/hate relationship with being seen. Part of me wants to scream what I’ve learned about creative freedom from my rooftop, while another part wants to hide in bed. But I figured it was time to throw off my covers and properly introduce myself. Maybe if you know me, I’ll also get to know you. That would be sweet. |
a modern-day medicine woman.” —Dolores Wylie, shaman serving hospice and veterans
class you get much more than a teacher, you get a steadfast facilitator who offers calm encouragement and tremendous insight into the entire writing process, which by nature is fraught with insecurity. Her warmth and guidance fosters a place of creativity and unparalleled support, not to mention crazy productivity! I’m thrilled to have Bella in my corner and can’t recommend her highly enough.” —Melissa Gould, Author of Widowish, A Memoir “I subscribe to many newsletters and Bella’s is the only one I make sure to read every word of. If I don’t have time, I save it for when I do. I enjoy (and connect with) every word Bella writes.” —Melissa Francke |
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“Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.”
—Leonardo da Vinci
—Leonardo da Vinci