Our Story
The Story of Dissociative Writers
Dissociative Writers started out as a means to an end, a way to sell a book, and quickly morphed into so much more. In 2021, as writers with dissociative disorders found their way to the new website and signed up and started attending the original Traditional Workshop that was initially offered, it soon became clear how much this space was needed. It became a place to hone our writing skills. But, more than that, it was a place for participants to be seen and heard and understood, a rare trifecta in our everyday lives. Now, as we approach our Five-Year Anniversary, we have close to 100 members from all over the US and Canada and even from Europe, we offer several different types of workshops, we publish a yearly Anthology, and we continue to grow and change.
In March of 2021, as the COVID pandemic was still raging and ten months before the publication of her memoir, Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory, Lyn Barrett decided to start a writers’ group to, in her words, “connect [with] other writers who might want to read my memoir.” She coined the name Dissociative Writers a few months in and the group began to grow.
“From the outset, it was evident that the writers who attended were very committed to their own healing through writing and that Dissociative Writers would become more than a platform for my book. What I didn’t realize was how Dissociative Writers would take on a life of its own. I thought the main event was Crazy and DW was a means to an end. It turned out that I had it wrong! Dissociative Writers was the main event, and my memoir was the means to this vibrant and supportive writing community!”
Over the next five years, writers with dissociative disorders joined DW for many reasons. Some were looking for a group to support their writing efforts. Barbie (member from Florida) wrote: “I was looking for a writing group, to learn more about writing a memoir.” Others were looking for a place where their whole System would be welcomed.
Aces Gayng (Florida) wrote:
I’ve searched my whole life for a writing group like this, that could handle my selves-discovery, my honesty, my angst, and so much more. DW welcomed me with open arms and has been a place where myselves [sic] and so many others can thrive. It was a no-brainer!
And some were looking for a writing community specifically for people with DID. As System of Gardens and Flowers (France) wrote: “I was very intrigued about writing in a group setting and desperately looking for a place to enjoy being a system without having it be a trauma group.” Peter B. (Georgia) wrote: “[DW] seemed like a friendly-spirited place to share my writing with others. There are not many places where we can interact with the DID community.” Barbie added: “It was the perfect group for me since I was also a person living with DID. Learning about writing a memoir in a community of others with DID was more than I could have asked for!”
As DW took off, new workshops were added and Lyn ceded the facilitation to capable members who stepped-up. The Traditional (now called Draft & Discuss) Workshop, in which participants sign-up to submit their writing and the group gives feedback, was the initial offering. Sharri (Iowa) eventually began to lead this workshop. Aces Gayng wrote of this workshop: “I love the community and the way we show up for each other. I love how considerate we are of each other and how we “yes, and” when someone shares, how we listen to each other.” The next workshop grew from an idea presented by Sharri. This workshop would use prompts to encourage participants to write. In 2022, a Prompt (now called Writing-in-Place) Workshop was added. Kim (Massachusetts) would eventually become the facilitator. Peter B. wrote: “I look forward to the Tuesday writing-in-place meeting. One of my young parts likes writing in place where he can show-off his limericks.” By 2023, an evening Prompt (Writing-in-Place) Workshop was added on Wednesdays, led initially by Surita (New Jersey) and then by Jamie (Massachusetts) and Wildflower (California), alternating weeks. Both Draft & Discuss and Writing-in-Place welcome “Littles” for 5-minutes at the beginning of the workshop. As Fran aka RainSinger (Alabama) noted: “I love that Littles system parts are so supported and cared for in DW. Boogie and all my younger parts gain so much confidence from the encouragement of DW members. Boogie sees many smiles when she sings or enjoys members' pets. She and all our Little Ones feel that DW is our home.”
In 2024, we decided to implement an idea proposed by a writer from Australia and the Focused Writing Workshop was born. Participants gather to write in community, working on their own writing in a group setting. Gabby (Pennsylvania) eventually stepped up to facilitate this workshop. DeAnn (California) said of this workshop: “I really like the Monday writing, the three 30-minute writings because it provides for me what I don't provide for myself: a sit-down structured writing space.” This workshop was so popular a second Focused Writing group was added and Rachel (Utah), agreed to facilitate. As we enter our 5th Anniversary Year, DW now has four weekly workshops going with six facilitators: Kim, Sharri, Wildflower, Brandi (East Coast), Gabby, and Rachel.
DW also has a class and other events on offer. Many DW members have been working on writing their memoir. From the first year forward, Lyn has taught an annual paid class called Memoir 101.The upcoming (2024) Fall class will be co-taught by Lyn and another DW member and published author (An Apparently Normal Person), Bonnie (California). In 2024, we initiated Special Events whereby members with special talents to share are able to lead periodic workshops on their topic of interest. Finally, from the beginning, DW has published a yearly Anthology (Creative Healing), of members’ writing and art work. As Lyn noted: “Over the past five years, it’s been clear that DW serves a need for those of us with challenging pasts who use writing as a means of healing as well as an opportunity for expression.”
Administratively, DW has grown and changed over its five-year history. After a four-month capital campaign (DW Writes On!) in 2023, which raised $4000, DW officially became a nonprofit in September 2023 with a Board of Directors: Lyn (New Mexico) – Founder and President; Debby (Nevada) – Treasurer; Gabby (Pennsylvania) – Secretary; Aces Gayng (Florida) – at-large. The Board meets quarterly. The Creativity Council was established in 2024 and serves as a “seed-bed” for new ideas. Any member can attend the monthly meetings.
DW has had an important impact on the lives of its members. It has not only helped people improve their writing skills, but it has given them a place to be themselves and to be a part of a community. Aces Gayng wrote:
DW has changed my life. I have met so many new systems and writers, and found friends that I know will be true for life. Better friends than I’ve ever had. People who are so incredibly talented and brilliant, who add so much colour and flavour to this world. And I have been able to share poems and stories and other pieces of writing that I wouldn’t have shared with anyone but my therapist, and gotten honest and kind feedback. I think we all improve each other when we have community.
“It’s given me a lot of positive self-talk. One person always says to me ‘when I know you’re gonna share writing, I know it’s gonna be thought-provoking and you never fail to disappoint.’ I carry this sentence with me every time I want to write on my blog and it gives me confidence. It’s also a place to be, to see smiling faces and process things together. It helps to feel less lonely, and to have people to look up to and feel community with. I feel understood and seen and always welcome. ”
Tina S (Colorado) wrote:
I feel safe, protected and heard. It has normalized my challenges and my writing has definitely improved.” Barbie wrote: “DW has helped me accept my diagnosis of DID and become a part of a community, which seemed like an impossible task for so many years. It has helped me find my voice to better communicate outwardly and learn various avenues for better internal communication. I now have hope for healing and thriving like never before in all my years!
TL (Colorado) wrote: “It's become a safe place to acknowledge and respect Ourselves. It's given me more confidence in writing.” And for DeAnn, DW has: “given me a place to write and to experience others like me.”
Kim: “DW has provided a place/forum for me to explore and expand my writing style and has helped me to develop more confidence and respect for my own writing as well as appreciation for many other forms and styles of writing.”
Where will DW go from here? In another five years, here is what some members wish for DW:
System of Gardens & Flowers: “I hope that more people will join and share writing. I hope that it’ll remain a safe space where we can grow together.”
Tina S: “An all Inclusive, supportive and Vibrant Community that has tripled in size.”
DeAnn: “I'm really happy with the way it is.”
Barbie: “In another 5 years I see more publishing happening and the community growing even more! And perhaps having an in-person gathering apart from the yearly Healing Together Conference. That’s a dream!”
TL: “Becoming increasingly recognized and respected in the writing world. Increasing the number of offerings and having more people participate.”
Fran: “We hope profoundly that DW will have more than doubled in size. We anticipate that DW will be the first mentioned in online searches for survivors' organizations.”
Lyn, the founder, also has hopes for DW’s next five years:
Our Board of Directors will increase both in size and wisdom, leading and guiding Dissociative Writers through organic evolution both inwardly and outwardly.
Our Mission Statement will continue to guide our Board and our Facilitators as they lead our writing community with clear eyes and compassion.
The mission of Dissociative Writers is to write
and to foster the creativity that helped us survive
as children and now, as adults
in a safe community space.
Our Facilitators will continue to rise up from our ranks to lead our workshops with sensitivity and skill.
Our Members will continue to feel included, valued, and worthy in an environment that embodies our Values.
As we reimagine our Job Descriptions and Organizational Flow Chart, we will create new positions to take on new roles.
As the Founder of Dissociative Writers who is 78 years old, I will continue to lead, as able, but will step back with grace as new leadership comes forward to take the reins in new directions.
Aug 2025
Written by Gabby
with quotes from Lyn Barrett and members of Dissociative Writers