Review: Oly Pages begins its story with ‘Writing Mindfully’ 

Rachel Benton

I rarely get up before 9:30 a.m. on a Sunday, and I will only do it for certain people or occasions. Star Wuerdemann and Oly Pages Writing Arts Studio are among them, and boy, was it worth it to start the day with “Writing Mindfully.” 

Designed as both a meditative and generative writing experience, the event felt serene from start to finish. Wuerdemann opened and closed the gathering with centering meditations, helping us settle into the best possible headspace for writing. In between, we received four prompts and 10 minutes for each, allowing our pens and streams of consciousness to flow freely.  

It’s rare for an inaugural event or soft opening to feel quite so special and rejuvenating. Still, as I’ve attested to throughout this column, that is decidedly on-brand for Wuerdemann. Experience Oly Pages' rejuvenating, beautiful, and meaningful offerings. With a variety of experiences to explore, there is truly something for everybody (click here to learn more).  

Begin your journey this Friday, Sept. 18, at an open house event from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

With that in mind, I invite you to take a couple of cleansing breaths, sip a cup of tea, and settle in for my review of the “Writing Mindfully” experience. 

The review 

Stepping into Oly Pages’ new space, I was met with an immediate sense of calm and warmth. Fellow participants chatted softly in the meditation space, some settling in and honoring the space by removing their shoes.  

The initial meditation invited us to quiet the chaos in our minds, settle into the moment, and open ourselves to the engagement of our senses. As I write this, I’m trying to remember the last time I practiced any form of meditation — and, honestly, it’s been years!  

This experience has encouraged me to find a way to incorporate meditation into my life, and I encourage you to do the same in whatever way resonates with you. Meditation isn’t simply a tool for alleviating stress; it can reconnect you with yourself and offer a much-needed pause from the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced world. 

Wuerdemann set a tone of mindfulness from the start by having participants leave a quiet beat between each other's introductions, giving us a moment to honor one another’s presence. This personal touch made me feel seen in an unexpected way, reminding me, and all of my fellow participants, that we really do matter. 

Why meditate during a writing event? Wuerdemann offered an answer that resonated deeply with me: “Writing is about presence.”

She went on to explain that “as writers, we get to taste life twice”— first as we experience it ourselves, and then again as we relay that experience to others.  

Before we began writing, Wuerdemann spoke about the magic that happens when we write with a prompt and how it can unlock different parts of our minds. Most prompts open the door to endless possibilities — a sentiment I found to be especially true during our closing reflections and sharing time. Naturally, Oly Pages follows the sacred rule that what is shared among participants stays in the room. 

Wuerdemann’s creativity is never-ending, so I imagine each event like this will bring different prompts each time. That’s why I feel completely comfortable sharing the prompts from our session with you, as an invitation to write for yourself and stay connected to the Oly Pages community. The prompts were: 

• What is in front of you? (You can’t get it wrong). 

• What is behind you? 

• Everything you know about potatoes.  

• Tell me about a time when you were embarrassed. 

Approaching each prompt, Wuerdemann encouraged us to leave our “editor brain” behind — to resist the urge to edit and let our pens flow.  

The nature of writing this column each week means I’m constantly engaging my “editor brain,” striving to present our awesome JOLT editor, Wyatt Haupt Jr., with the best columns possible.  

Giving that part of my brain a break felt surprisingly meditative. It reminded me of the value of allowing myself to do these personal writing exercises, separate from my writing job, to reconnect with my heart and raw stream of consciousness.  

 In the spirit of authenticity — and in an attempt to lead by example — I’ve decided to share my scribblings from the event here, with the hope of reminding you that you don’t need a specific skill set or expertise to enjoy writing for yourself.  

 Throughout the prompt writing session, various revelations surfaced, bringing clarity and healing to different parts of my heart. Yet, even as these deeper emotions emerged, the experience remained peaceful and grounding. This is truly rare, and it is what you can find at Oly Pages. 

 I encourage you: start a new story or turn a new page with Oly Pages! 

Rachel is a writer, arts advocate, performing arts enthusiast, and passionate about our beloved Thurston County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Music. You can enjoy more of Rachel's writings by visiting her website. All inquiries for Rachel can be submitted here.