What’s in a Writing Group?
If we review the past three years
what do you see facing back
all the silhouettes in family portraits
elbows outstretched in hesitancy
when the barrier to hug was finally
broken down a spore in the air is all
it took to rebuild standard dictates that
life is lived between that bold hyphen
but it isn’t a hyphen at all
what else are we wrong about
We have arrived to Fall with another piece that is not my end-all tell all Fellowship post but I think that’s okay. I feel like we are building up so much anticipation that by the time I actually post that experience it will be extremely anti-climactic. And by we, I mean myself screaming into this internal void but I think that’s okay too. As the LARB Writing Group consensus has become, it’s fine.
Speaking of writing groups, this brings us to the theme of today’s post. I am the first person to not volunteer for writing groups. It can be an incredibly stressful situation because I always fall back into default workshop mode. A mode that has the potential to not serve anyone who is a member. I know not all writing groups are workshops which is why I am grateful to be part of one that has not incorporated that aspect yet (and if it never does, I think I could live).
When thinking about setting up the conditions for writing, a writing group seems like an obvious solution. A selection of people who are sharing the same goal but as we know, everyone does not often share the same goal in any given creative field. That’s like saying that a painting group is automatically going to be all watercolor activities. As someone who cascades between steady writing practices, I knew that I needed something to serve as an extra little push.
Before the fellowship ended, one of my wonderful fellow cohort members developed the concept of a LARB Writing Group. Through a series of surveys and Google Meets schedule options, there was the wonderful option of two time slots made available.
There is a certain level of accountability when you have your camera on in a virtual room where everyone is tackling their own writing tasks. I wrote an entire poem about that green light but that’s for another time. While sharing this virtual space we are able to intertwine worlds while still taking on individual endeavors. There is something incredibly beautiful about that which echoes the importance of the general process.
It has been nearly a month since the group has started and my experiences have definitely varied in the best way. When developing new pieces, I got the most revising done during this time. This speaks to the most difficult aspect of anything: having the time. Planning or attempting to set aside the time has made me hyperaware of how difficult that is especially when schedule conflicts arrive. Or as we call it, life happens. It is incredibly easy and very Instagram to say well you just have to be dedicated enough to put in the work but I don’t think it will ever boil down to being that simple. What’s particularly interesting about this group is we are working across different time zones. This is what virtual meet ups allow for and that is extremely valuable. There are definite differences from cultivating local community vs. at large but I think becoming part of any sort of communal space is worthy of acknowledgment. This is also in huge part thanks to the kindness and generosity of our leader to open up this time so thank you a million times!
Something that has been enlightening is how I am processing and structuring what I write about in a different way. Some days I am ready with a draft to edit for writing group and other days one piece just splits into three different poems. This sort of flux can only take place in a group environment because there is this inherent motivation that thankfully has not boiled over. The piece above is the final stanza for the poem I wrote during the first session. It seems unsurprising to be writing about the impact of time and memory in a pandemic but this sense of questioning is something that continues to be explored in my own practice. You are also able to see how you can be in such a different place a week later. Sometimes that piece you were knee-deep in edits on will have less urgency the following week and that’s okay. This emphasizes the importance of slowly building community and figuring out what works the best with the time available.
Stepping into any writing group or workshop setting can be intimidating and incredibly overwhelming. I see this as a step forward given my hesitancy when building writing community. Whether these drafts or edits will ever see the light of day isn’t the goal which I see as a positive thing. This group has definitely been a highlight that’s taken place post-fellowship and shows how propelling things forward is on the shoulders of those involved in the process. We have to be there for each other.
One of the things I have discovered about myself is what a combination my writing practice is. From handwritten edits to typing revisions or ideas in real time, these are things I was aware of but it’s funny to see it in action. My writing practice still isn’t in the place I envisioned but I am getting there. This group has helped me see how valuable an hour a week can be when trying to get “back in the swing of things.” You quickly become amazed at what you can accomplish. I’m greatly looking forward to seeing what other seeds are planted during this period.