A lot of us think of writing as a solitary activity. You sit down, open your writing application, and start writing. What if I told you that it doesn’t have to be? Writing is a process. As they say, it takes a village.
One of the most important stages of the process is the start. If you’re anything like me, quite often it’s hard to find inspiration. Sometimes the idea is there, but you’re struggling to conjure the necessary self-discipline to put the words to paper.
That’s where writers’ groups come into play. They can run differently, but they have something in common: they are comprised of people who are passionate about writing and improving their craft. Sometimes you get to write with everyone during meetings, sometimes you get a prompt to write on your own time. Or both.
My current writers’ group is a vital part of my week. No matter what happens, I can always remind myself that I have something to look forward to on Tuesday. It gives me much needed community, which is something I haven’t always had. It provides a safe haven for my ideas as well. Since the first time I attended a meeting, the group was friendly and supportive, while fun to be around. People of all ages and cultures meet to share ideas and perspectives about each other’s writing. It’s an irreplaceable experience in my opinion. Slowly but surely, going to these meetings became the best part of my week.
This experience taught me how important community is to writers. Community building can also be in the form of attending book events. For example, attending the Word on the Street book festival is always a source of joy. The first time I attended, I got to meet writing friends I had only met before online. The following year, we continued the tradition. Imagine a place full of people who love books almost as much as you do – that’s what book festivals are like.
Book festivals are also an opportunity to listen to author talks. You don’t have to know the author beforehand or have heard of their book to have an enriching experience. Sometimes you just want to see and hear from people who remind you of who you are and why you want to be a writer.
Community can also be in the form of attending book signings in bookstores and libraries. I remember my first time going to one. I was too scared to go to one for years. The idea of meeting someone I looked up to was terrifying. But all it took was one time.
One of my favourite authors was coming to Toronto for the first time in years, and I couldn’t let the opportunity slip by. I recruited one of my friends for moral support and we did it. Being the anxious mess that I was, we were the first in line that day. I even somehow gathered the courage to ask a question during the Q/A section of the talk. And finally, after the talk was done, I got to meet my then-favourite author. It was surreal and I was a puddle of sweat by the end. It was akin to diving into the deep end with little swimming experience, but it was so worth it. After that, it became vastly easier to attend similar events. I’m so glad I got over my fear, if only a little, because the feeling of being surrounded by people with similar interests is unmatched.
So go to author talks, book festivals, or even book launches like the launch of our anthology, Forest Floor. They’re a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, which validates your interests, and may even improve your mental health. They can also be a great source of information for writing advice. And, of course, who doesn’t love to be surrounded by books? Sometimes you’ll even make a lifelong friend. Or two. Sometimes, you may even find the people to set you on the path to achieving a lifelong dream.
So, if you’re ever struggling with writing, or just want to feel worthy, look for your writing community in whatever form that may take! And what better time to start than with the new year!
Rahma Mohamed graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor degree in Materials Engineering. Rahma has a strong interest in reading, editing, and writing, with plans to become a certified copy-editor. Rahma’s favourite authors include Nina LaCour, Neal Shusterman, and Amal El-Mohtar. Rahma’s other interests include listening to music (a lot of music).
The views and opinions expressed in blog posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of all WiT members.
Writers In Trees 