One of the greatest pleasures about being here on Substack is the community feel. Yes, it can get overwhelming to keep track of our favourite writers because there’s so much great content, but there is also the connection to our own posse that enriches and encourages.
I hugely enjoy inviting you all to gather video-virtually so you can hear each other’s words and voice your own ideas. This is a space where you can expand the comfort of your writerly introversion, still within the privacy of your own embodied, creative space, but with an opportunity to speak your words, and have them witnessed. The reason for
after all, is to increase our understanding and connection via story, and in the process heal rifts and wounds. You might not be comfortable with being ‘out loud’, so this is a safe, brave space where you can experiment with finding your level. And there is no pressure at all to share, you might want to join us in order to journal for 20mins and then lend a listening ear to others.As someone who for years didn’t trust her own voice, I have needed spaces curated by others where I could build my confidence. This week I attended a beautiful Pop-Up Writing Session with April Stearns of Wildfire, in which she dropped this truth bomb:
“For me, where writing is the inhale, reading it out loud to others is your exhale. We can all hear it and we can take up some of the weight for you.”
(How does that land for you? I feel such a sense of relief even just at the thought of it.)
April, a young woman with metastatic breast cancer, gathers those of us who want to write about the experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer and the endless fallout from it. There is something immensely healing to be writing with others who share similar - though always different - experience, and who show up to write. Simple, personal truth-telling; all the emotions, tears and relief shared with courage, authenticity, humour, grief. Friendships are made and rekindled, news is shared and I leave grateful for our collective bravery.
And so it has been a great joy to have led the Let’s Write Together! Zoom hours for a year now. I lead one towards the end of every month (due to travel plans it will be THIS SUNDAY 22nd Sept) and each has a different flavour, but a similar intent:
A slowdown for connection to oneself, and with others.
A group, a vibe, and a theme organically evolve on the day. It is always a thrill that complete strangers find themselves resonating with each other’s words as we are reminded we share the same humanity. And the desire to express, create, communicate moves us forward. These love notes remind me every time how much we need each other:
"Meeting you today: kismet! I loved your energy and the spirit you brought to the experience. Amazing how much synchronicity (my love language) emerged.” KP
"I get so much out of your offering!" CK
I also invite requests for custom-made writing groups. A couple of sisters wanting monthly writing hours together (such a beautiful idea!), a non-profit group asking me to curate their gathering, friends who want to heal and express unspoken disconnection. It’s all the same thing - caring and daring to write. I witness the beauty of souls connecting and feel grateful.
Will you join us this weekend? I sure hope so. Click on image below for all the deets for Sunday at 10amPST.
P.S. If you are already a subscriber, thank you! I know that the Paid Monthly Subscription is sometimes too much to commit to, so if this strikes you as fun, a one-off donation can be made via BuyMeACoffee . You get to choose how (de-)caffeinated I can be! And how many friends I can treat to their brew of choice when we gather in a cafe’ somewhere in the world (first-up, Morgan in Toronto!). Thank You! and see you for free on Zoom from anywhere in the world.
I love that phrase from April, and I will try to be there on sunday. Thank you for doing this.