Scrolling. Scrolling. Scrolling. My thumb was swiping. But it felt like my eyes were doing the heavy " lifting. What's a writer without a MFA gotta do to find a writing group? "The knicking gnat of a notion nibbled behind my pupils. After tapping on what felt like the gazillionth group tab, my eyebrows perked up. Had this poor pilgrim reached Mecca at last? From the events schedule, consistent RSVP numbers, and poppin' comment threads I had.
They—ya know, the ethereal "they"—tell you: “If you wanna go fast, go alone. But if you wanna go the distance, go in community.'' But what they don't tell you, is how hard it can be to find said community. And being a part of a tribe of scribes in crucial if anybody wants to go anywhere as a writer. So somebody must have picked up on my prayers when I found the Arlington Writer's Group (AWG) on Meetup.
I’ve been a part of my fair share of writing groups or creative circles. Generous ones that thrived on enthusiasm but floundered when it came to organization. Others oozed organizational gravitas but aimed to convert you to a certain kind of writer for a certain kind of audience. And some that made wandering creatives feel at home but left them unequipped.
Having been an avid AWGer for a while now, I can only sing its praise so far. Gone have been the days where group leaders steer my writing endeavors towards the products or services they're selling. The days where I'd leave session upon session without having gained or refined any brick-and-mortar, boots-on- the-ground skills. The days when I'd find another network of promise only to discover membership required tens or hundreds $ price tags—PER MONTH.
Sure, I had to do a lot of digging through inactive or unorganized groups across the web—Meetup included. But it's been worth it. And sure, I don't live in Arlington. But what's a metro ride across the bridge from my DC domain?
Plus, being a member of a hybrid group of eager authors and poets has been the best of both worlds. I've gotten to learn from astute writers from various genres during weekly meetings online. And connect with local wordsmiths during writing sessions, author panels, or socials in person.
The ever going adventure ahead of me as an author is not for the swift. Or for the faint of heart. But I'm part of a group that can go the distance. There are writers in my corner who'll help me get there. And who'll allow me to help them get there too. Who’s surrounded you for the long haul?
That's my story morning glory. Keep living out yours. And, remember, stories tell us.
Peace ~ D.V. Gwyth