Local Author Leads 'Writing with Intention' Workshop at Massanutten Regional Library

Cara Achterberg shares strategies for infusing purpose and intentionality into writing habits.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 12:55am

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Local author Cara Achterberg recently led a workshop on 'writing with intention' for the Rocktown Writers Guild at the Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Achterberg, who recently published a book called 'Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose', discussed strategies for developing writing habits that align with intentional, purposeful approaches to the craft.

Why it matters

The workshop highlights the growing interest among writers to infuse more meaning and intention into their work, moving beyond just writing for the sake of writing. Achterberg's insights on the importance of developing intentional habits to support purposeful writing could resonate with aspiring and established authors alike, especially in a regional community like Harrisonburg with an active writers' guild.

The details

During the workshop, Achterberg shared her perspective that 'intentions aren't any good if you don't have solid habits' to put them into practice. She emphasized the need for writers to create habits that 'carry out' their intentions, in order to give 'power' to those intentions rather than leaving them as mere ideas. The workshop was held at the Massanutten Regional Library as part of the Rocktown Writers Guild's regular meeting.

  • The workshop took place on Wednesday, April 2, 2026.

The players

Cara Achterberg

A local author from Maurertown, Virginia who recently published a book called 'Live Intentionally: A Daily Journal for Living on Purpose'.

Rocktown Writers Guild

A writers' group that meets regularly at the Massanutten Regional Library in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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What they’re saying

“Intentions aren't any good if you don't have solid habits, and so I think writing with intention, you need to create habits that carry out to give it power to those intentions, otherwise they're just intentions, and they don't go anywhere.”

— Cara Achterberg, Local Author

The takeaway

Achterberg's workshop highlights the growing emphasis among writers on infusing their work with greater purpose and intentionality, rather than just writing for the sake of writing. Her insights on the importance of developing intentional habits to support this approach could provide valuable guidance for aspiring and established authors in the Harrisonburg community and beyond.