Our writing community

Aren’t we lucky?

On one hand, writing is usually a fairly solitary pursuit. On the other, writers have always found each other, somehow, written (often extraordinary) letters, met for lunch, rented cottages by the sea or city lofts together, read each other’s books or poems: supported, encouraged, and enabled one another’s writing lives.

In this moment, of course, we have so many tools we can use to communicate, and to create communities. It can really help break down the isolation many of us feel. Every morning, I open an app or two and there’s so much to celebrate – publication days, deals, word counts, shortlists – often for complete strangers, who in turn share their wisdom with me. Yes, some of our time on social media is about building an author presence, but it can be much more than that. It’s networking, it’s support, and it’s fun. Sometimes it even becomes friendship.

I also know that when we learn and write together, especially on retreat, we often want to stay in touch with each other – maybe not with everyone, but we connect and we create networks of relationships that sustain us through our writing and publishing; through disappointments, joys, industry dramas, draft after draft, and more learning. I’m still in touch with people I met on retreat at Varuna or in a writing class years ago.

So I’m setting up a private online community where people who come together at my retreats or classes can chat, share challenges and wins, access useful resources, and most importantly stay connected.

I’ve tested several platforms and settled on Nas.io, which is purpose-built to host communities. I’m filling a secure space there with resources, advice, opportunities and writing tips – all free and as an optional extra for people who come along to one of the classes. And it’s just for us. Only people who do the classes or retreats will be invited, so there’ll be no trolls or randoms.

I hope you will join us, and I hope you’ll find it helpful.

Cheers,

Kelly