Diana Raab, PhD - Events

For Inquiries:
Please send general inquiries to diana@dianaraab.com

Workshop Topics

NOTE:  Upon request Diana will customize her workshops to meet the individual needs of your group or organization.

Writing for Bliss: Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life

Writing for bliss is about being mindful of the messages of your heart, and tapping into your authentic voice. In this workshop, you’ll experiment with different forms of writing—journaling, memoir, and poetry.  In the process, you’ll be guided down a path of self-discovery that cultivates your path to bliss. Appropriate for emerging and advanced writers, this workshop will inspire you to express yourself through the written word in a profound and meaningful way. 

Personal Writing for Well-Being and Empowerment

Transformation can result in a dramatic change to your physical or psychological well-being. Telling your story can help in the process. Everyone has a story that needs to be told—whether it’s the result of a life-changing event or a transcendental experience.  This workshop will help you access your story, and will provide you with a wealth of ideas and methods on how to tell it. You will be nurtured through the writing process via meditation, mindfulness, and other techniques to help access the writer within, resulting in a new sense of empowerment and an overall sense of well-being.

Writing as a Spiritual Practice: A Path to an Enlightened Perspective 

Spirituality is the search for truth. Writing as a spiritual practice can connect you to a state of authenticity—and ultimately your reason for being. This knowing can lead to a sense of joy and peace, personally and professionally. This workshop will give you an enlightened perspective on the spiritual power of the written word. You will be invited to create a sacred space, cultivate your imagination, share your stories, and experience the power of writing to heal and grow.

Writing and Lust: Bringing Your Inner Passion to the Page

Lust is one of the most natural human feelings, expressing itself as a sense of wonder that feeds the soul, as a physical craving for another person, or as a desire to pursue creative endeavors.  It can be experienced as two bodies speaking lovingly to one another, or as a solo journey into the world of imagination. Through discussion and writing prompts, you will embark on a fun and illuminating journey that will leave you breathless for more. All participants will receive a free, autographed copy of Diana’s latest poetry collection, Lust.

The Writing Labyrinth: Managing the Twists and Turns of Creative Writing

A labyrinth is a wonderful metaphor for life through which we follow a path inward, then make our way to the other side, using a circular, repeating pattern. Inside the labyrinth, there are times when you might feel lost, and other times when your path flows more freely. But no matter which journey you take, it will be one of self-discovery.This workshop will explore what happens when your path during the writing process takes you in a completely unexpected direction. You will gain an understanding of the nonlinear process of creativity, and how it beats to its own drum and occurs in its own time.

The Writer’s Notebook—
A Springboard for Effectively
Using a Journal

Keeping a notebook is an important part of a writer’s toolkit. It is a place to work out creative ideas, practice writing styles, and tap into your inner muse. Your notebook’s contents may serve as a springboard for poems, stories, essays, and full-length books.Through discussion and writing prompts, this inspiring workshop will show you how to effectively use a journal. It will also offer ideas on how to transform notebook entries into publishable and compelling work. This program is open to both emerging and published writers.

Writing a Riveting Memoir:
A Roadmap for Crafting a Compelling Story

This workshop will offer you tips on how to write a compelling memoir, focusing on the elements that hold a reader’s interest. It will help you understand what compels someone to pick up your book instead of someone else’s—and inspire you to just get down to it and write. The program will include lectures, discussions, and writing prompts; and is open to those who have been contemplating writing a memoir, as well as writers who have already begun doing so.

Finding Your Voice and Discovering Your Story

You might feel as if you’re at a place in your life when you want to begin writing—whether it is poetry, fiction, or nonfiction—but you aren’t clear about how to embark on that process. This workshop will help you navigate where and how to begin.Tips will also be provided on how you can tap into your inner voice and nurture the dormant writer inside of you through self-expression, discussion, and writing prompts.

WORKSHOPS

2023

February 3, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
“Writing Love Letters”
Casa Dumetz Wines
Tasting Room
388 Bell Street
Los Alamos, CA  93440
RSVP: diana@dianaraab.com

April 18, 2023
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss: What’s Your Story?”
Yoga Soup
Santa Barbara, CA

June 18-23, 2023
“Writing a Compelling Memoir”
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Santa Barbara, CA.
To register: Click here 

2022

June 20, 2022
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. CST
See Jane Write
“Writing for Bliss: Pop-Up Writing Workshop”
Via Zoom
To register: Click here

September 19 – 22, 2022
postponed
“What We’re Reading Series”
“Writing for Bliss”
Miraval Resorts and Spas
Austin, Texas

December 2, 2022
10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST
“Personal Writing for Well-Being: Workshop”
The University Club of Santa Barbara
(Members Only)
Santa Barbara, CA

2021

October 26, 2021
9:00am – 12:00pm
“Writing a Riveting Memoir: A Roadmap for Crafting a Compelling Story”
The University Club of Santa Barbara
(members only for now)
Santa Barbara, CA

2020

Note: (Strike Through = Cancelled due to Covid-19)

January 25-26, 2020
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Memoir Writing: A Two-Day Retreat”
Private residence
Santa Barbara, CA

February 23, 2020
1:00pm – 4:00pm
“The Gift of Reflection: A Writing and Meditation Retreat”
Private Residence
Montecito, CA

April 25, 2020
6:00pm – 8:00 pm
“Writing for Transformation + Empowerment: Looking Back, Moving Forward”
Liberate Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA

June 14-19, 2020
“Memoir Writing”
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Santa Barbara, CA

2019

March 3-4, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Memoir Writing: A Two-Day Workshop”
Private residence
Santa Barbara, CA

June 8, 2019
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
“Transform Yourself: Writing to Heal”
Yoga Soup
Santa Barbara, CA

June 16-21, 2019
“Writing a Compelling Memoir”
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Santa Barbara, CA

June 17, 2019
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
“Journaling for Bliss Under the Full Moon”
Ojai Valley Inn, Artist Cottage
Ojai, CA

July 18, 2019
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
“Sip. Write. Create.”
Margerum Tasting Room
Santa Barbara, CA

August 3-4, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Memoir Writing: A Two-Day Workshop”
Private residence
Santa Barbara, CA

September 15, 2019
1:00 p.m.. – 4:00 p.m.
“Navigating Grief: A Journaling and Meditation Workshop”
Private residence
Santa Barbara, CA

October 26, 2019
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Reimagine End of Life”
Keynote Speaker / Workshop Leader
Northstar Memorial Group
Skylawn Funeral Home
San Mateo, CA

2018

January 6, 2018
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
Mystic Journey Bookstore
Venice, CA

February  3, 2018
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“Writing for Healing”
Yoga Soup
Santa Barbara, CA

February 17, 2018
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
Vroman’s Bookstore
Pasadena, CA

February 23-25, 2018
“Writing for Bliss”
1440 Multiversity
Scotts Valley, CA

March 25, 2018
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss: The Sacred Journey to Telling Your Story”
The Sacred Space
Summerland, CA

June 17-22, 2018
“Memoir Writing”
Santa Barbara Writers Conference
Santa Barbara, CA

June 30, 2018
“Writing for Bliss: Finding Joy Through Personal Writing”
Open Center
New York, NY

July 21, 2018
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
“The Art of Memoir Writing”
Sacred Space
Summerland, CA

August 4, 2018
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
“Transforming Through Adversity: A journaling and meditation workshop”
with Radhule Weininger, PhD
Museum of Natural History
Santa Barbara, CA

August 11, 2018
“Writing for Bliss”
Santa Barbara Public Library
Santa Barbara, CA

October 6-7, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
“The Writer’s Notebook”
Hugo House
Seattle, WA

October 27, 2018
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
“Transforming Through Adversity: A journaling and meditation workshop”
With Radhule Weininger, PhD
Museum of Natural History
Santa Barbara, CA

Archived

READINGS & SIGNINGS

2023

February 11, 2023
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Reading and Signing
An Imaginary Affair: Poems Whispered to Neruda
Paradise Found
17 E. Anapamu St.
Santa Barbara, CA

February 13, 2023
6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
“Valentine Celebration & Love Poetry with Diana Raab”
Ikat and Pearls
28 S. California Street
Ventura, CA

April 19, 2023
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
“Spirits in the Air: Potent Potable Poetry”
The Good Lion
Santa Barbara, CA

2022

April 26, 2022
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
“Spirits in the Air: Poetry Reading”
The Good Lion
Santa Barbara, CA

July 26, 2022
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
“An Imaginary Affair”
Chaucers Books
Santa Barbara, CA

September 1, 2022
postponed
6:00 p.m.
“An Imaginary Affair: Poems Whispered to Neruda” with poet Perie Longo
Chevalier Books
Via Zoom
Click here

October 29, 2022
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
“An Imaginary Affair”
Tecolote Books
Montecito, CA

November 3, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
“An Imaginary Affair”
Ventura County Poetry Project
Ventura, CA

2021

April 21, 2021
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“Spirits in the Air”
Virtual Event

2019

January 10, 2019
7:00 p.m.
“NEW: Writing for Bliss: A Companion Journal”
Signing & Discussion
Chaucer’s Books
Santa Barbara, CA

February 22, 2019
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss: A Companion Journal”
Signing and Discussion
Ikat and Pearls Home Decor
Ventura, CA

May 4, 2019
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“Writing Into Bliss for Mother’s Day”
Lily of Montecito
Montecito, CA

December 15, 2019
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
“Writing into Bliss for the Holidays”
Lily of Montecito
Montecito, CA

2018

January 27, 2018
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
Barnes & Noble
Thousand Oaks, CA

February 2, 2018
6:00-8:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
(Reading and Celebration)
Ikat and Pearls Home Decor
Ventura, CA

Archived

PRESENTATIONS

2023

May 18, 2023
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
M Club
By invitation only

2022

March 2, 2022
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. E.S.T.
“Writing Your Memoir: How to Get Started”
Richmond Community Library
Richmond, MI
via Zoom
To register: Click here

June 28, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. E.S.T.
“Writing for Bliss: Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life”
Bridgman Public Library
Bridgman, MI
via Zoom

June 30, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. E.S.T
“Writing Your Memoir: How To Get Started”
Cass District Library
Edwardsburg, MI
via Zoom

August 13, 2022
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. PST
“Memoir Writing for Healing, Transformation and Empowerment”
ATP Forum
via Zoom
To register: Click here

2021

September 14, 2021
Virtual Summit
“Transforming Global Consciousness”
Soulful Power
“Writing an Inspirational Memoir”

2020

November 23, 2020
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. M.S.T.
“Maintaining an Attitude of Gratitude”
Zoom Lecture to Ahwatukee Foothills Friends and Neighbors (AFFAN)

2019

January 5, 2019
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Writing a Compelling Memoir”
Coastal Dunes California Writing Club
Nipomo, CA

February 4, 2019
6:30 p.m.
“Writing a Compelling Memoir”
Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC/SPAWN)
Thousand Oaks, CA

September 16, 2019
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
“Healing with Poetry”
San Marcos High
Sixer120
Keynote Speaker
Santa Barbara, CA

November 15, 2019
12:00 p.m.
“Write On: Journaling to Heal”
Learn at Lunch
Hospice of Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

December 6, 2019
Guest Speaker
Inlandia Institute
Riverside, CA

2018

November 30, 2018
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
“Writing for Bliss”
Discussion
Casa Dumetz Tasting Room
Los Alamos, CA

Archived