Empowering Stories: The Strength of Writing Communities
Empowering Stories: The Strength of Writing Communities
Creating a writing community was not one of those things I imagined in my future when I was young. And yet, it is something for which I’m deeply grateful, especially in this time of midlife. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve spent my lifetime journaling, reading, even writing a few poems. But it was always in solitude. Besides, I had an entire career and profession outside of the writing community. When I signed my first book contract with Bedazzled Ink in 2016, I suddenly felt like the new kid in school. It was odd as in my long profession as a safety and health professional I felt confident and successful – a leader and mentor. In those beginnings, although I was immersed in writing, I felt left out from circles of people who knew each other at conferences or online writing forums. Gratefully, as a few folks reached out, I began to feel slowly admitted, nearly as if completing rites of passages. Those rites: rejections of early writing pieces, rewrites, acceptances and, gratefully, published works.
In addition to the joy instilled in me during the act of writing, the biggest gift is sharing the power and love of writing with friends, both new and old, novices and experienced. In some cases, with friends who too grew into the love and power of writing. Connecting too with new friends from diverse backgrounds, with different stories and teachings. This is a remarkable truth about the lives we live. In the beginning we may have no idea how we will end up spending time, or what activities we will enjoy and pursue.
Earlier this month I spent time with my dearest and oldest best buddy in a rustic lodge surrounded by the Olympics National Park. We hiked through the rain forest surrounding Southwest Washington’s Quinault Lodge, and, although neither of us had a career in writing, now workshopped our current works. During our stay, two women a bit older than me, chatted about their own writing; furthering my connection of community even if for a few moments.
I remember once attending a local author event early in my first published days. I sat next to a well-established author, and we chatted together in between conversations with passing shoppers. While this author was kind to me, I still remember the comment she privately shared. “They even allow self-published authors participate!” She rolled her eyes and sneered. These years later I would be surprised to hear anyone say this, especially given how successful some self-published authors are. Yet, it stayed with me: I had no interest in being part of a snobby, closed community then – or now.
If you’ve read any of my books or blogs, I’m certain you’ve picked up on my belief in the power of serendipitous human connection. Every day I seem to newly connect with someone, a connection only made possible because one of us smiled, said hello, or asked a question. While I am not a true extrovert, I am intrigued and curious about people. I continue to be amazed by how much we find in common with others when we allow ourselves the moments to connect and intersect.
I still feel new on this journey, with skills to learn and genres to write. Yet, as I talk to those even newer, I remind them of the most important advice I frequently tell myself. If we are lucky, we write because we are driven to: it feeds our soul as words beg to be let out, massaged, crafted, and shared. To identify our why and release the burden of comparisons to others, or of the things we think we should care about.
Today, much of what we believe in is at risk of disappearing. Yes, we must unify, find strength, protest, and do those things that keep us going. For me, that includes writing and being in community.
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Dede Montgomery is a sixth generation Oregonian and author of five books: From First Breath to Last: A Story About Love, Womanhood and Aging, Humanity’s Grace, Then, Now, and In-Between: Place, Memories, and Loss in Oregon, Beyond the Ripples, and, My Music Man Dede frequently blogs as a way to make sense of the thoughts circling her brain. Learn more at https://dedemontgomery.com or on social media as @d2montgomery.
Category: On Writing
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