But I’ve found that to write what I want to discover, to know more about, to introduce myself to a different world is richer. Curiosity may be our keenest talent though personal experience can’t be ignored.
That discovery for me began a mighty long time ago…age 9. In the Alice, Texas, public library. I read Alice in the Editor’s Chair and knew my life goal. I wanted to be a newspaper woman.
And I did.
It led to magazine writing – fiction and nonfiction – and writing for corporate executives and politicians…book writing, teaching writing, and now…more about DISCOVERY – each person’s – as leader or guide for…
A Spiritual Writing Workshop
Have you ever? Scribbled your thoughts – and often spiritual thoughts entertain more questions than answers. Have you ever? Questioned the “wise ones” while growing up? Have you ever? Pondered, even argued how to answer your children and grandchildren’s questions about the spiritual life?
Often We Get answers by strolling through our thoughts…over time. Often those erudite expressions excite us to want to share.
This is what the Spiritual Writing Workshop experience is about. Giving “tools” to convey the precious jewels of our questioning, pondering and resolving in a way others can receive and perhaps share as well.And we do so while showing respect for each other.
SOUND APPEALING?
It’s COMING SOON! SATURDAY, Feb. 28 2026
10 – 3 on Zoom Register by 10 pm on Friday to get your Zoom link!
And now…back to my personal story which includes study, teaching and time serving as a hospital chaplain. Just didn’t want anyone to miss what’s coming up really really soon. (How’s that for good writing, eh?)
The call of a novel wooed me down a path of historical research, the study of creative writing and getting to know my character and much more. That story drifted in threads throughout family life, stories my mother recounted around canasta or bridge tables. I call the historical novel Whispering Spirits. “She’s” not yet published but preening for a slot on an editor or agent’s dance card.
Along the way I researched and wrote, and The History Press published two books on historic and heroic Texas women of several centuries.
That glassy glow came from typing “The End” to my historical novel, a dream task.
And that’s not all, folks. Along the way I found another love: teaching writing to those who have an insistent itch to write. I promise you. It won’t go away.
Teacher…of Writing
“Carmen is one of those rare instructors who knows the nuts and bolts of writing, both fiction and nonfiction, and also has the skill to teach that knowledge. A gifted writer and storyteller, she combines her teaching experience with knowledge and good humor, but never lets her students wander far off the trail of good writing.”
(Carol Henderson, Author of It’ll Rain Someday…Always Does.)
At home, just making a pointAt Writing ConferencesAt SMU
No Time Like Now to Join our writers’ classes – Writers’ Circles
Writers’ Circles – start up again the first week of March…smaller is better so we hold our writing classes – designed to reach skilled to novice writers – to 8.
Workshops: On Spirituality Writing – Saturday Feb. 28, 10 AM to 3 pm They’re a bit longer and we need time to stretch so we limit workshops to 10 writers – of all levels.
Here’s Your guide to my site, what you’ll find at each page...
It’s Personal…Writing tips, my personal thoughts…etc. Author…autographed & shipped books on Texas Women & Writing SHOP…shopping made easy, just select and “go.” Teacher…classes & workshops Storyteller … Stories of Texas’ history for programs Events … Scheduling for 2026 Books…more about them Pressroom & Contact Information…reach out…by email phone.
Follow in my newsletter: “Scribblers Sanctuary.”Sign Up HereTeacher
Writers gather to talk about their writings, to learn tricks and techniques about the storywriting craft, be it fiction or nonfiction.
Writer’s Circles
…Classes named for the storytelling structure of a circle
TUESDAY, 7 pm meets in person at my West Fort Worth home and Zoom, only when weather interferes. WEDNESDAY, afternoon “hybrid” (part Zoom, part in person) starts at 1:30. THURSDAY, an all Zoom meeting beginning at 7 pm.
All writing classes begin again the first week of March, on Zoom or in person. Come check us out.
GIFTS FOR TEXANA LOVERS & FOR THE WRITER IN YOUR LIFE…
Carmen Goldthwaite is the top-selling author of Texas’ heroic women, their stories: true adventures of Texas women across the centuries and the landscape of the State and the Republic.
The 15-year research and writing project resulted in Texas Dames: Sassy and Savvy Women Throughout Lone Star History and Texas Ranch Women: Three Centuries of Mettle and Moxie. Her stories of these women have appeared in anthologies and magazines, such as: FORT WORTH TEXAS, PERSIMMON HILL, Wild West, True West, TCU Alumnae, etc..
Texas Dames: Sassy and Savvy Women Throughout Lone Star History & Texas Ranch Women: Three Centuries of Mettle and Moxie, both published by The History Press of Charleston, S.C.
Carmen Goldthwaite – Author, Teacher, Storyteller – packs a lifetime of writing into creative writing classes she teaches, the Texas Tales she spins and books and articles she pens.
A GIFT FOR THE WRITERS ON YOUR LIST
Gift Certificates are available for those with a budding writer on their gift list.
“Thank you for coming. I could tell people really enjoyed the stories you told.”
Debbie, Pittsburg Peach Festival
Carmen spins the tales, the true ones, of Texas’ formidable women, stories untold or long forgotten. She’s written about them in columns, magazines, anthologies and books– tales of immigrating to “Tejas” alone and with children, standing off hungry and angry hostiles with guns or baked bread, grubbing to bring forth crops and livestock on land often parched, making hay when wildcatters poked their pastures and hit bonanzas.
Talking about the Texas Dames and their leadership in Texas at the Pittsburg Peach Festival Leadership Luncheon.
Upcoming events
Whether about history or writing, Carmen welcomes the opportunity to ‘pass it on.’
Scheduling Storytelling Events Now for 2026. Contact Carmen to find out more or schedule an event.
The year began with an opportunity to tell Texas Women’s stories to the Tarrant County Salvation Army Auxiliary. A wonderful crowd, warm and engaged! Thank you, ladies.
Ongoing writers’ classes – Writers Circles – continue every six weeks
Tuesdays 7 – 10pm: In person only; Starts March 10;
Wednesdays, 1:30-4:30pm: In person and/or with zoom for those ill or traveling. Starts March 4;
