We’re gathering for our first writing group Zoom meeting this morning (we met once before to introduce ourselves and set group norms). I’m excited to hear the stories women have written for the prompt, PLACE.
Writing group is a wonderful sanctuary where stories are shared and listened to, friendships are formed, and we find a spark of something within ourselves that comes when we risk vulnerability and read our own words aloud.
It will be different, Zooming rather than sitting across a table from one another, but the technology means we’re able to meet with women from across the country and even in different countries. Yes, this is an international group!
Being part of a writing group makes us accountable—to ourselves and the other women in the group. It’s easy to get caught up in the stuff of life and let our writing practice fall to the bottom of the pile. When we’re part of a group, we have unspoken permission to make it a priority.
We state our intention—that writing is important to us—by joining a group. Then, we nourish that intention, in the weeks between meetings, by writing. Finally, we face whatever fear or hesitation we feel, allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and read our work to the group.
And there we find support. Acceptance. Validation. All of the above.
We grow stronger as we write and read our truth.
We develop empathy for the stories other tell.
Our writing skills improve.
We work things out in our mind as we wrangle words.
And we repeat the cycle month after month.
It’s a sweet thing.
Love my writing group too! 🙂
Linda, your writing group sounds like a supportive community of encouragement, accountability, and challenge!