Heyyyyyy! When I posted last time, I was still in the middle of Hell-May, but nearing the end of my month of madness… And now I’ve survived my 21 zoom classes. 80K of client feedback. A desperate pants-related road trip.
I’m now writing this from the actual middle of the Alexandra Writers’ Centre annual retreat and I have to say, it’s weird. In a good way, I mean. It’s like– quiet. We had s’mores and talked. Andrew and I gave our workshops. Today, we’ll all go our separate ways, back to our lives, but hopefully taking something important with us. The power of community.
In the middle of all my crazy busyness of last month, I’d forgotten how much I love just getting to sit and talk with writers, to hear their ideas, to talk about their processes. We all have such different ways of getting the words out and it’s gratifying to be reminded of that. This idea that most of us aren’t out there pounding out words every single day. Many of us have families and so many projects and absolutely frenetic lives. A lot of the participants also have kids and pets and day jobs.
It’s so important to remember that the only writing process that works is the one that works for you. People will try to sell you on their program, on their idea of the best way to be a writer. But ultimately, the process that keeps you joyfully creating is the one that works for you.
I’ll be back next week with another Five Questions With. In the meantime, I hope you do some creating this week. I hope it’s joyful.
Finnian Burnett 
Hi. It’s been a long time since I connected with you or, frankly, anyone from my GCLS past. It’s so good to hear about your time with writers..,just to talk, and share, and have that feeling that is community. Right now, I’m only getting it tiny piece at a time…still community but I long for longer periods.
Are you doing any courses soon or writng times (or is anyone else you know that I might not know, but which an annoying southern neighbor might be welcome to), preferably that I could afford? <smile>, you know, down in the “i’m a writer and not making money” catagory ? You deserve to be paid for your work and your time, I’m not questioning that, but I’m just trying to squeek by when I never know, from month to month, if I will get a social security check, or my $23 a month in food stamps or a notice that my housing is gone, medicaid is gone, medicare is gone… I know you get it… I guess given all the chaos in the United States right now, that connectino as writers, short or long, is precious and life giving.
Thanks for this post. It really made me smile; it brought many memories of learning, laughing, groaning, and feeling community. Say hello to August and enjoy the beautiful country up there…I love your occasional photos that you share Take good care and be well!
Ona