For anyone new to creative writing workshops, you might wonder what to expect. Cee-Cee Manrique creates a gentle and relaxed environment where there’s no pressure to share your writing, though encouragement is offered if you wish. Each session follows a loose structure with plenty of space for reflection, discussion, and sharing.

Cee-Cee begins by introducing a theme—sometimes something from the natural world, like mycelium—and reads work from artists who have engaged with it. Participants then have quiet time to write, using prompts designed to spark their own exploration. These cycles of reading and writing happen three or four times per session, followed by optional sharing. You can read your writing aloud, discuss your thoughts and feelings, ask questions, or simply listen. Cee-Cee emphasizes creating a safe, open, and enjoyable space for everyone.

When asked about their journey as both a mushroom farmer and writer, Cee-Cee reflects on how the two are surprisingly similar. Both practices have taught them to slow down, observe closely, and pay attention to what lies just beneath the surface. Writing came first, offering safety and a sense of direction from childhood through formal study. Mushrooms came later, starting as a hobby growing hot pink oyster mushrooms, which evolved into ten years of running Hyphae Mushrooms with their partner, Em. For Cee-Cee, mycelium embodies interconnection and reciprocity, shaping both their work and worldview.