Write with Sheena
Finding Camaraderie in the Solitary Pursuit
I find that writing, like finessing a building design or a sewing pattern, requires countless iterations. Like most creative arts, it is a solitary pursuit. There is no way to let another being in when you are in the flow of your creativity. But from time to time, you may wonder if you’re the only one engaged in this tussle with perfection.
“The concept: the shared architecture of silence and dedicated time to focus.”
Over the years, I have established a daily writing practice. But during the pandemic lockdowns, I struggled to inhabit the lives of my characters, who demanded a depth I found difficult to reach on my own. I looked for camaraderie, and I found it in the Shut Up & Write! community.
Through the virtual community, I have met novelists, academics finishing dissertations, researchers documenting projects, and artists needing dedicated creative time. Everyone was just looking for camaraderie.
The geography shifted. I moved from being an attendee to a host.
During my sessions, I have met people from all across the world—from Beijing and Berlin to Singapore and Sydney.
The concept is simple: no read-aloud, no talking, and no critiquing—just the shared architecture of silence and dedicated time to focus.
I am partial to virtual sessions because they save me the time and effort of driving and getting ready, as well as the hassle of finding a place to plug in my laptop. If you are ever looking for a space that is simply there for you, join me at one of my sessions.
Until then, happy writing.
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