Saturday, January 12, 2013

365 Inspirations—12: My Writing Group

 The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden. —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I've been meeting with my writing group for almost four years I think!  When I made a commitment to publish my book, I felt I needed the support of other writers. I wasn't sure who would be in this group. I mentioned out loud at school one day that I wanted to form a writing group and two of my co-workers at the community college where I teach ESL piped up that they wanted to be a part of it.

We started out meeting weekly, but now we meet once a month. Our enthusiasm for meeting each other and sharing our writing and our dreams has not dwindled over the years. If anything, it's grown stronger. We even had a writing weekend getaway at my family's lake house in November last year. We had so much fun and I hope we have a chance to do that again one day! Above is a picture of us collaging together which also helped give direction to our writing and goals.

We are currently writing a novel collaboratively. Whenever we get together, ideas for this book seem to spring forth effortlessly. I have no idea if this book will ever come to be, but boy are we having fun writing it.

I think inspiration is contagious and if you have a group of like-minded people to share your ideas, interests and dreams with, it really does help to speed things along. And when you do succeed in your endeavors, your community or group will be the ones who are right there next to you. This has been my experience and I feel so fortunate to have these people in my life.

Last night we met for yet another session. We hadn't seen each other since mid-December. Everyone came to my house and I made a Crockpot of chili, one friend brought corn bread and a big tossed salad and the other friend brought some dip and crackers and some dessert.

Not much writing happened in the meeting because we needed to catch up with each other and find out what was going on with everyone. We enjoyed the food and chatting and planned our next meeting time and place. I have a feeling we'll be writing and sharing quite a bit in the next meeting.

Do you have a community or group that you meet with regularly that shares a common interest? What is it and what do you usually do together? 

12 comments:

  1. Ah, I like the sound of your writing group. I was a part of one many years ago. I loved the camraderie and support in the group and the opportunity to see others grow as writers, too. I'd like to be a part of one again. But I haven't found kindred spirits to join with.

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    1. Yes, it's a wonderful thing to be part of a writing group! I hope you find one with kindred spirits this year!

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  2. I've been in my writing group for six years. Last year we wrote a collaborative piece. At present, since we're not all in town, we take turns sending out start lines for a "7-minute write". That has kept us in touch. We met in a certificate program at UW and have become friends as well as collaborators.

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    1. That's excellent Linda! I think these kind of groups are so important!

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  3. I have been in a writing group for about six years. We meet every Tuesday at a Barnes & Noble here ins Phoenix AZ. Someone gives a prompt and we write for about 10 minutes and you can read what you wrote or not. It is not a critique groups but a group of fun writers. It always amazes me what everyone comes up with from the same prompt.

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    1. I love this idea Karen. We've done a few prompt writings with our group too, but I think it would be fun to do more of them!

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  4. wow...that quote is great...to know someone is with us...feeling the same...I'm part of a similar writing group.We meet once a month and the inspiration and support is wonderful. Being together with like minded people.....it's the best. Happy writing.

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    1. So glad you have a supportive writing group! Happy writing to you too!!

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  5. I have a hiking group that I am a member of and we get together about every other Sunday and go on a hike. It's nice to be a aprt of a group with similar interests.

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    1. I love hiking and there's plenty of it in the Pacific Northwest. So great that you have a group you can go with regularly!

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  6. I have eight siblings and am close with all of them, but my three sisters and I are closest. They are the people with whom I share all of my ideas, happinesses, dreams, and griefs. They are my support group and inspiration. It's so great to hear about your group. Community is a wonderful thing.

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    1. How great that you are so close to so many of your brothers and sisters and that you rely on each other for support! You are blessed!

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