The Magic of Writing in Community
By Brooke Warner
In the past week, our accountability group at Memoir Nation (newly renamed Show Up & Write) has been doing breakout rooms at the end of the writing sessions. One of the fun things about starting a new community is that the community itself is telling us what it wants—and we’re nimble enough to respond.
Show Up & Write starts with opening pep or craft talk (five or so minutes), followed by an hour-plus of writing, followed by breakout rooms, and then a closing five minutes. Now, the structure mirrors that of a self-contained essay. Perfection.
I already know from previous experiences of accountability groups that writing in community is magical. When people do breakout rooms, they have a way of finding commonality in a matter of minutes. I joined a dyad that had been in progress for about 90 seconds, and when I entered the zoom room, they let me know they’d already discovered they were both long-distance runners. So am I! When the group convened on the other side of the share, another group shared that their foursome was all writing about their mothers who had dementia. What are the odds?
For me, accountability is the sole way I can get a book done. I suffer from Everything Is More Urgent and Important Than My Writing (EIMUITMW) Syndrome. (I guess it’s clear why no one’s adopted this acronym!) So, Show Up & Write has been a place for me to clear way to work on my book.
Over the years, I’ve often said that 50% of my value as a coach to writers and authors is the accountability the coaching relationship provides. This is true for accountability groups as well. The magic is in the connection, of course, but there’s other magic to be found when people show up for each other in community to do the thing they say they want to do.
Here are my Top Three most valuable reasons to write with accountability. If you have other reasons you’d like to share, please drop them in the comments!
1) Motivation and Consistency: Regular writing dates that are scheduled on your calendar are the key to writerly success. You’re also more likely to show up when you have a group of writers who will be there working alongside you. This is also how you go from having a writing hobby to a writing habit.
2) Structure and Focus: Writing groups that are actually structured, as our Show Up & Write now is, give writers a sense of what they’re coming into. You can write to a prompt, opt in or out of the breakout rooms, and know that you have a space to clear with any family who might be otherwise knocking on your door. We all know “I’m on a Zoom” has enough gravitas to it that we may be less likely to get interrupted.
3) Community and Support: Writing is isolating! So writing in a group makes you feel less alone. Over time, these communities become safe spaces, and spaces with familiar faces and people you get to know. You can share common struggles and fears, and know that you’re in good company no matter what challenges you face.
I’m digging Show Up & Write and being in circles with other writers is my favorite place to be. If you have a story from an accountability group, or a fun synchronicity to share from writing in community, we hope you’ll share it in the comments.
Write on!
