As you may know, this year I have expanded the Compendia Community offerings to include a series of regular online ‘writing group’ sessions. The idea is that writers of all kinds, and of all abilities, hang out together for an hour. We have a quick chat then get down to work. Cameras on (though like everything else we do during the hour it’s not compulsory), microphones off. I’m on hand for help, advice and encouragement, but the session is not about me. An hour to focus, or to brainstorm, or even to read if that’s what you want and need. A creative hour to use as you see fit, basically.
Last night we had our second meeting. If anything it went even better than the first, and it was nice to see some new faces as well as a host of regulars. Once we’d started writing it was surprisingly easy to relax into it, and the fact that I was being ‘watched’ (sort of, people are far too busy with their own work to spend the time staring at the screen watching me) made the writing process feel very natural and easy.
For me, and at least one of the other writers, it also had the strange effect of taking our writing in a new and unexpected direction. Perhaps because this was an hour I wouldn’t have normally used to write (I have a friend staying with me at the moment so I’d probably have been watching TV with her) I think I came at the work slightly differently. My approach was more ‘this is bonus writing time so whatever I produce is extra, it doesn’t matter’, which meant I didn’t self-censor or overthink. I sat down to write one Substack post and ended up writing another, about something very different. (And paid subscribers should look out for that, probably later this week). At the round up at the end everyone seemed to be happy with what they’d achieved, and I’d like to think and hope some people carried on writing.
So, another success! So much so that I’m considering making it a fortnightly affair, rather than monthly, and to also move it to different and varying time-slots (I’m well aware that not everyone finds 6pm on a Sunday evening massively convenient. Please do comment and let me know when would be the best time for you to join in.)
In the meantime, currently the next monthly scheduled session is on Sunday March 10th, at 6pm (UK time, timezone converter here). You don’t need to sign up but you do need to be a paid subscriber to Compendia.
I’ve extended my current special offer for the rest of today, and remember it’s easy to cancel at any time.
In addition to access to the writing group, you’ll get all my posts, past and future, which include essays, humour, fiction, behind-the-scenes publishing gossip, and much more. All for as little as 80p (around US$1) per week.
And if you already subscribe, thank you. Your contributions are literally what allows me to continue to write and publish here. There are lots of exciting things on the horizon, I promise!
Join us!
Great experience thank you! It kept my fidgety bum on my seat and really helped me stay accountable to my writing time. The times perfect for me as it starts my Monday morning off on the right track. I really appreciate your generosity in providing this space.
I'd love to come but Sunday is one of the few nights I usually can spend with my partner who works shifts. Every evening he's off is precious! So if you do a week night I'd definitely be along!