One of the truly life changing perks of being a writer is being part of the writing community. This was a complete surprise to me when I began writing. I thought I’d spend my life hiding in dark corners, writing secretly, and sharing only with an instructor or fellow student until that hallowed moment when I would have my very own (gasp) agent and editor. How lucky for me that’s not how it goes at all.
I hear it from writers over and over—the writing community is AWESOME. Whether you’re part of a writing circle, or a workshop, or have met other writers at conferences or online, it’s a wonderful path to friendship with likeminded souls and to completely new experiences. The internet has made all us writers closer, and we are all over the country, sometimes the world.
The writing circles I attend in Nyack, New York are some of the very best experiences that have come my way. Everything I’ve written that has gotten published had its start at one of these circles—novels, short stories, you name it. And they have given me the opportunity to meet many new people and learn new things.
I’m happy to introduce you all to Kelly Jo Barber, a writer and poet who has found a fascinating way to work through writer’s block I’d love to share with you.

Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a creative healer, coach, and slam poet in creative recovery. After a decade in theater as a producer, director, and actor—often raising money for women’s rights—I found fulfillment in helping others but felt depleted from neglecting my own creativity. In search of stability, I transitioned to teaching in the South Bronx for ten years, which helped me eliminate my debt but left me feeling spiritually drained.
On a trip, my husband suggested I try Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. Initially resistant, I realized that prioritizing my creativity was exactly what I needed to revitalize my spirit and embrace a more fulfilling path.
I began my creative recovery and asked for support, which was historically hard for me. The universe gifted me a wonderful therapist with a background in women’s spirituality, somatic healing, and trauma recovery.
With her help, my husband’s support, and the work I was doing in The Artist’s Way, I began to tend to my dreams and unhinge patterns in my relationship to myself and others that weren’t serving me. I started writing, joined a local writing community, took a poetry class, and found my way to slam poetry as a gateway back to performing. After my first time on stage in years, I saw talented friends grappling with their artistic identities while juggling adult responsibilities and parenting, feeling they didn’t have the time or that their art wasn’t worthwhile. My own journey of rediscovering creativity inspired me to share my findings with others. I’m passionate about helping fellow creatives embrace their art and find joy in the process.
Still on my creative journey, I wondered if there was such a thing as a creativity coach. I hate the belief that being strong means doing it alone; I think it’s toxic. We all need support and community. Through that support, I realized I had abandoned myself. So, I reached out to five friends I admire creatively to see who would be down to learn with me. Many of them were writers, too. That’s how my new career as a creative healer and coach began.
What do you help writers overcome?
I help writers overcome the fears and blocks that prevent them from fully developing their characters and stories. Sometimes, when we’re blocked with a particular character or struggling to find their voice, it’s often due to resistance in accepting that character’s psyche within ourselves. I encourage writers to go within by guiding them through meditations that focus on their physical sensations, truly acknowledging them—not releasing or judging, but metabolizing and making space for those sensations. This approach allows writers to connect with their characters more deeply.
Often, the characters that are challenging to access come from parts of our subconscious that aren’t fully embraced by us or by society. The subconscious communicates through images and sensations, which is a different language altogether. By guiding clients to connect with their bodies, I help them bridge that gap.
What are your methods?
Immediately after the guided meditation, I lead writers into embodied writing, encouraging them to translate their physical experiences into words. I prompt them to write a scene or capture the tone of the character they’re feeling blocked by, inviting them to see what unfolds.
I also find that many writers, especially debut novelists, often believe they “aren’t working hard enough” or “writing enough.” However, when we examine the hours spent writing, it’s usually significant. While discipline is crucial, too much harshness can stifle the flow that artists need to thrive.
Finding a balance between craft and joy is essential. Writers need to play and nourish their creativity to sustain longer writing sessions. I understand the pressure to write daily, but if artists don’t step away to recharge, they risk burnout. Excessive discipline can lead to resistance, and our inner artists will often give us the finger until we give them time for nourishment.
I help writers create plans for play, ensuring they have weekly assignments that nourish their creativity in addition to their writing schedule, and I hold them accountable for both.
Can you tell us a little bit more about embodied writing? What it is and how you came to incorporate it into your practice?
Embodied writing connects the mind and body, allowing writers to access deeper layers of creativity and insight. It involves tuning into physical sensations, emotions, and instincts as a way to inform the writing process. Instead of just relying on intellect, writers engage their bodies to explore their characters and stories more fully.
What made you want to work with writers?
I want to work with writers because I am one. After avoiding my own writing for twenty years, I’ve finally begun to explore it over the past two years. Writing has become a way for the unseen parts of me to be seen in a fresh light, and I love that about it. Writing is a deeply spiritual practice that brings the hidden into view, and it’s a powerful tool to access the inner worlds of people. Being part of a writer’s journey is an honor because, as they work through their characters, I witness them liberating parts of themselves. This inspires me to show up with the same bravery on my own pages, helping me stay dedicated to my craft.
I believe creativity is a form of spirituality, and our divinity lies in our creative energies, regardless of our beliefs. When I work with a writer who struggles to get their ideas on the page—whether due to perfectionism or other blocks—and I can witness them push through that threshold, trusting themselves, it’s transformative. Seeing them embrace what they put down and wanting to share it with the world is a privilege. If I can be part of a writer’s journey, especially when they publish something they once thought was impossible, it fuels my own writing.Working with writers ignites my own passion while connecting me to a larger collective story.
What do you see as the biggest problem(s) writers often struggle with?
One of the biggest problems writers often struggle with is the fear of vulnerability. Many writers hesitate to put their true selves on the page, worrying about how their work will be received or whether it’s “good enough.” This fear can lead to perfectionism, which stifles creativity and makes it hard to finish projects.
Another common issue is feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt. Writers often question their worth and whether their stories matter, especially in a world filled with noise and comparison. This can create a paralysis that prevents them from sharing their voice and experiences.
Additionally, many writers grapple with the balancing act between discipline and play. The pressure to write consistently can feel heavy, and when that pressure becomes too intense, it can lead to burnout. Writers need to remember that creativity thrives in a nurturing environment, not a punitive one.
Ultimately, it’s about creating a supportive space where writers can explore their fears, embrace their vulnerabilities, and reconnect with the joy of writing. This is where transformation happens, and I’m here to help them through that journey.
What made you think of approaching this problem in this way?
I approach this problem through a lens of creativity and healing because of my own journey. Having experienced the struggles of vulnerability, self-doubt, and perfectionism firsthand, I understand how deeply these issues can impact a writer’s creative process. My time in theater taught me the power of storytelling, but it also revealed the importance of community and support.
When I began my creative recovery, I realized that healing and creativity are intertwined. I found that addressing the emotional blocks and fears we carry allows us to access deeper layers of our creativity. My work as a coach stems from a desire to create a nurturing environment where writers can explore their true selves without judgment.
By integrating techniques like embodied writing and mindfulness, I help writers reconnect with their bodies and emotions, allowing them to embrace their vulnerabilities. This holistic approach not only helps them overcome their blocks but also reignites their passion for storytelling. It’s about empowering them to see their experiences as valuable and worthy of sharing, just as I’ve learned to do in my own journey.
Kelly Jo, a creative healer based in Rockland County, specifically in Nyack, offers both virtual and in-person sessions based on your preference. She provides 1:1 sessions as well as workshops. If you’re interested in working with Kelly Jo, please visit kellyjolillian.com for more information or email her directly at kellyjocreativehealing@gmail.com. She will be facilitating a free in-person workshop on October 27 titled “Transcending Creative Blocks: Harnessing the Power of Writing and Movement to Ignite Our Creative Spirit” at the Old Stone House, 347 North Broadway, Upper Nyack, NY. To register for this free workshop, click here: Event Registration.
This is wonderful, Emilya and Kelly Jo. I agree completely that creativity is a form of spirituality. In fact, I used to teach creative writing at my church. Thanks so much for your insights.
I agree, this is such a good way to look at writing and block. I think authors are valued so little in our society unless they are mega bestsellers, that it’s hard to value ourselves, especially when at the very beginning of the road. Sometimes even a ways down the road… But so many people would not be writing if it wasn’t the spiritual and psychological release that it is.
Hi Susan, You are welcome! I’m glad to hear you found it impactful.It’s inspiring to hear about your experience teaching creative writing. I’d love to hear more about how you blended creativity and spirituality in your classes!
Thank you for sharing with Miss Demeanors, Kelly Jo.
Thanks for reading! I appreciate your kind words.
This is jam packed with great thoughts for writers to ponder. Just reading this was a mini- class in itself—thank you~
Isn’t it great?
Hi Marni!
Thank you, Marni, for taking the time to read and respond! I’m thrilled to hear you found it insightful. It’s a great reminder that we’re all here supporting one another in the writing community.
This is certainly a different and interesting take on overcoming writer’s block.
And kind take. We get so down on ourselves for being blocked!
Hi Dawn! Thank you for your comment! I’m glad you found the perspective on overcoming writer’s block interesting. Many writers face this challenge, often with harshness and shame which then leads to more isolation. We tend to tackle it intellectually or with more discipline, neglecting the wisdom of our inner artist and its need for nurturing, along with the body’s natural ability to heal. I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences on this topic!
Really interesting post! Most resonant for me was the mind-body connection. It’s sometimes hard to remember, after hours in front of a computer screen, that there are other ways to feed our creative selves.