Benjamin: It's great connecting with you, Isabel. For everyone reading, tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do.
Isabel Lerma: I'm the creator of Drunk Writers, a free creative writing community where people come together to write for five minutes at a time using fun, thought-provoking prompts. Despite the name, drinking is completely optional. The idea comes from the famous phrase, "Write drunk. Edit sober." It's about letting go of perfection, writing without censoring yourself, and worrying about editing later.
Isabel Lerma: I started Drunk Writers about 15 years ago while living in Paris, France, and it grew almost entirely through word of mouth. It eventually became the foundation for my therapeutic writing practice, Lerma Words of Healing, where I work one-on-one with clients using writing as a tool for self-discovery, healing, and creative development. Clients have turned the work we've done together into books, businesses, video games, creative projects, and, for many, a completely different relationship with themselves.
Isabel Lerma: Drunk Writers is my way of giving back to the community. It's completely free because I believe everyone deserves a place where they can express themselves creatively without judgment. We recently brought it to Las Vegas, and it's already beginning to build a wonderful community. Every Tuesday night at The Bonfire, you'll find writers, musicians, comedians, singers, and people who simply want to connect. It's become a place where friendships form, collaborations happen, and creativity feels welcome.
Benjamin: Tell me a little bit about France. How did you end up in Paris?
Isabel Lerma: Living in Paris had been my dream since I was a teenager. At the time, I was living in San Francisco, working in banking as a vice president and branch manager, but I had never let go of that dream.
Isabel Lerma: Like many life-changing adventures, it began after heartbreak. I realized there would never be a perfect time, so I decided to create one. I had been hosting Couchsurfers in San Francisco, and my very first guest was a Parisian who told me that if I ever made it to Paris, I could stay with her. Four months later, I called her, packed my bags, and moved to France.
Isabel Lerma: I started Drunk Writers almost immediately after arriving, and I watched incredible things happen. Some participants began as people who were too shy to read their work aloud. Later, they built successful blogs, became published authors, worked as professional ghostwriters, or simply found the confidence to share their voices. People kept telling me how therapeutic the experience was, and I realized there was something much bigger happening than just a writing group.
Isabel Lerma: Eventually, I took Drunk Writers across Europe, hosting events in London, Rome, Amsterdam, and Germany. It combined everything I loved: writing, creativity, travel, psychology, and bringing people together.
Benjamin: Let's dive a little bit deeper into Drunk Writers. You started this in Paris, traveled Europe, and used this to build relationships and open doors for people.
Isabel Lerma: Absolutely. Even here in Las Vegas, after only a short time, I've watched people become genuine friends. We've gone hiking together, paddle boarding, to concerts, and supported each other's creative projects. That's what Drunk Writers is really about. It's about building authentic community.
Isabel Lerma: There's something powerful about sitting down with strangers, having only five minutes to write, and discovering that you're not alone. We do plenty of funny prompts, but we also explore deeper subjects.
Isabel Lerma: One of my favorite games is Two Truths and a Lie. The stories people share often become the inspiration for our writing. Recently, someone talked about spending twelve years in prison, so I offered two prompts: write a letter to yourself after serving twelve years in prison, or write a letter to a beloved pet you've lost. Some people chose one, some chose the other, and suddenly the room was filled with stories that were heartbreaking, funny, hopeful, and deeply human.
Isabel Lerma: Those are the moments that remind me why I do this.
Isabel Lerma: Public speaking is one of the biggest fears people have, so our motto, "Write drunk. Edit sober," isn't really about alcohol. It's about giving yourself permission to create before you judge yourself.
Isabel Lerma: I don't believe people need to become different versions of themselves. I believe they already have incredible stories inside them. My job is simply to create a space where those stories can come out.
Isabel Lerma: For me, the whole purpose of Drunk Writers is to be a beacon of light, and light means truth. That's what artists do. We take our experiences, shine our own light on them, and share them with the world. If there's a masterpiece trapped inside of you, I want to help you bring it into the light before it's too late.
Benjamin: How did you make the transition to Las Vegas? What's that story?
Isabel Lerma: After Paris, I moved to Maryland to be closer to my family because my dad was sick. I stayed there for nearly ten years.
Isabel Lerma: Later, after the end of a relationship that had once been headed toward marriage, I felt another strong pull to start over creatively. I packed everything I owned into my little gold convertible and set off on a cross-country road trip.
Isabel Lerma: The plan was simply to pass through Las Vegas on my way to California. I had friends here who convinced me to stay a little longer, insisting it was the best city in the country. The longer I stayed, the more I realized they were right.
Isabel Lerma: When I arrived, I felt exactly the way I had when I first landed in Paris. I thought, "This is my city."
Isabel Lerma: Las Vegas gives artists permission to create. Whether you're a writer, musician, comedian, or singer, there are opportunities to perform, collaborate, and meet people who genuinely support one another. That creative energy inspired me to relaunch Drunk Writers here, and before long everything started falling into place, including finding our home at The Bonfire.
Benjamin: How long have you been living here in Vegas now?
Isabel Lerma: About two to two-and-a-half years.
Benjamin: Living here so far, what is the one thing you would change about Las Vegas if you had a wish?
Isabel Lerma: I'd love to see us make recycling easier. I live in an apartment complex where everything goes into one dumpster, so it's difficult to recycle. I've been to places where you can return bottles and receive money or transit credits in exchange. Programs like that encourage people to recycle and make it simple. I'd love to see Las Vegas continue growing in that direction.
Benjamin: Where is your go-to spot to eat here in Vegas?
Isabel Lerma: I really love Herbs & Rye. I'm a big steak fan, so Peter Luger is another favorite, especially for lunch. For more casual dining, Tuscany has a fantastic steak-and-eggs special, and Ellis Island is another great local spot with an excellent steak special for around $10.