Rebecca Watkins (Field Guide to Forgiveness) and I had a chat recently about what we hope to bring to our prose writing circles, which begin on Wednesday, April 8 at 5pm, and what we hope to gain for our own writing. Rebecca is writing memoir; I am embarking on a novel.
Donna: I'm really looking forward to writing with you and I'm so curious about who we'll be writing with. When I led writing circles in the past (and "led" seems the wrong word; it's more about holding an open creative space) my partners' work became my favorite reading. Better than the latest novels and memoirs because it was consistently fresh and unique. I'm really intrigued about what people will bring.
Rebecca: I agree completely about the enjoyment of reading the participants’ work. One thing I’ve consistently loved about writing groups and circles is that there is a fresh creativity and vulnerability that can happen because it isn’t a workshop or class. There is less pressure. It’s a generative, supportive space. I feel much like you that our “job” is to hold that space. I am really looking forward to seeing who joins us!
Holding a space! Exactly. And supporting the work that emerges. If this sounds like a fit for you and your creative process, we hope you’ll join us. Check out the full description and respond on Eventbrite here.
—Donna