It’s amazing to me the difference a community makes. Doing something alone has value, to be sure. However, doing that same thing within a community takes on another dimension of significance. When I am alone and write, my words and thoughts stop on the page before me. My friends and family don’t always understand the challenges and triumphs of the process. It took finding another person who is as engaged and impassioned to realize how meaningful having a support system of other writers is. They know just what to say to get me over the writing block. They understand the discipline needed to finish a project. They appreciate the triumphs of solving a problem. Whether the writing is poetry, prose, lyrics, or a thesis; the impact of a supportive environment of peers makes is significant.
Joanne approached me with the idea of a “reverse book club” where we would write a book (or other writing project) instead of reading a book. We would focus on our individual projects, but gain the support of each other. The idea appealed to me because I’ve been “putzing” around with writing, but didn’t dedicate a specified amount of time toward it. Much like my exercise routine, if I didn’t do it, nobody would know or care. Somebody or something needed to keep me honest. Yeah, I was sold on the idea.
And so it begins. The worse-case scenario is that Joanne and I support each other through the rough draft of our respective grocery lists. Grocery lists that will make you laugh, make you cry, and inspire you to alphabetize your spice rack. However, I believe that the aforementioned things are just the beginning.
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