Women gather around a bookshop coffee table eager to read their stories and poems. Before we start, I light a candle. My words are always the same because there is a process to this. "We light the candle to shut out distractions of the outside world and commit to our writing for the next two and a half hours."
I respect the ritual that brings us together; one carried down throughout centuries. Women have always gathered in a circle to share their intellectual and emotional lives, committing time to themselves without apology. The circle often became symbolic for a special occasion or celebrating a new journey.
Writers groups, particularly among women, are growing in numbers and our group is no different. On average we have a dozen women coming to the monthly read-arounds, far more than when I started the Circle in 2009 and there were three women and myself. Many come and listen, rather than read. Whether we are the creator or the recipient, the stories restore and renew.
Writers groups, particularly among women, are growing in numbers and our group is no different. On average we have a dozen women coming to the monthly read-arounds, far more than when I started the Circle in 2009 and there were three women and myself. Many come and listen, rather than read. Whether we are the creator or the recipient, the stories restore and renew.
NOTE: The Women's Writing Circle will not hold its monthly read-around in September due to the Art of Life Writing Workshop which is the second Saturday of the month, September 8. We have several slots open and would love for you to join us. See how to register below:
http://www.susanweidener.com/2012/06/art-of-life-writing-workshop.html
We resume our read-around at Wellington Square Bookshop on Saturday, Oct. 13. In the meantime, I offer a writing prompt for your consideration. Take all the names of the women in your family and make a text or poem out of them.
Happy Writing!
Susan
4 comments:
Great post, Susan. I can certainly see how this can be beneficial and a lot of fun at the same time:>)
Thank you, Sharla. We have a wonderful time finding our "voices" and honing our writing skills. The Circle has also given me much renewed passion and excitement about writing.
How on congenial!! Wish I could be there!
Dear Sandra. Thank you for "stopping by." We do have a wonderful, congenial group of writers who come to the Circle. Your blog, books and writing workshops look very interesting. Are you in Florida?
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