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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

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Whether you enjoy writing sci-fi, fantasy or fiction, join our Creative Writing forum to meet others who love to write.

Creative writing

Anyone interested in creating/joining a writing accountability hub online?

33 replies

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 10:07

I'm new to the Creative Writing boards here but not new to MN or to writing. I have a real problem committing to sitting down and making time for writing. There's no excuse. I have plenty of time but just find other stuff to do instead, from housework, freelance work to wasting time on MN!

I was wondering if there are any other writers who'd like to join together online for a writers hub at a set time each week. Just sign in to something like Zoom or Google Meet and work together quietly for a couple of hours, just to have some accountability.

I was thinking maybe Monday morning to kick start the week and maybe one evening a week too.

Would anyone be interested in this or does anyone know of an existing online hub I could join?

I wasn't thinking of a writer's group - no feedback or sharing work - just sign in with your coffee and laptop and stick to it for a couple of hours. Maybe set a goal at the start of the session - write 500 words or draft a scene or edit a chapter etc and at the end review how we did.

Thank you.

OP posts:

Report

fivetriangulartrees · 03/12/2023 10:35

writershq.co.uk do online (and in-person) retreats for groups to do exactly as you suggest.

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 10:40

@fivetriangulartrees Thank you so much! I will look into that.

OP posts:

NanoTime · 03/12/2023 10:42

I love this idea, not so much for the accountability as I’m quite disciplined and write daily but for the silent camaraderie.

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 10:43

I've just had a look and they seem to do one-day online writing retreats. I'm looking more for a habit-forming weekly or even daily event, to help build the habit of writing regularly.

OP posts:

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 10:45

NanoTime · 03/12/2023 10:42

I love this idea, not so much for the accountability as I’m quite disciplined and write daily but for the silent camaraderie.

You sound like a very good person to buddy up with if you already have the discipline.

If a few more people are interested - would you be up for a weekly or twice weekly meet up online? I could look into a platform that works for small group meets for two to three hours.

OP posts:

strawberryfieldsforjustoneday · 03/12/2023 11:03

Write MAGIC on Facebook run multiple daily zooms that do exactly what you're looking for 😊

heldinadream · 03/12/2023 11:09

A cautious maybe. The only reason it's a cautious maybe rather than a full throttled yes is that we're moving house over the next year, just decided, just planning massive declutter, redecorate for sale etc etc so it's going to be a tough year for sticking to anything.
But yes. I'm halfway through a novel (55,000 words first-ish draft), which is the best I've managed for a long time (chronic non-finisher).

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 11:49

@strawberryfieldsforjustoneday thank you. I'll look into that. We could all join an existing group if that works.

@heldinadream I'm the same. Chronic non-finisher. This time I have an entire plot in my head so there's no excuse. I just need the stimulus of other people to commit to.

OP posts:

Curtainscurtains · 03/12/2023 11:53

The London writers' salon do this three times a day.

heldinadream · 03/12/2023 12:03

Yes I don't need a full-on writers group sharing material etc, been there done that. Just the accountability bit, checking in with each other. So keep me posted if you get anywhere with it (fully understand if you go with one of the other suggestions of things already up and running).
I do quite like the idea of being in on a whole new thing rather than joining an existing one, but maybe that's just me. 😬

BearWoman · 03/12/2023 12:16

I am interested too.

NanoTime · 03/12/2023 12:29

“would you be up for a weekly or twice weekly meet up online? I could look into a platform that works for small group meets for two to three hours”

absolutely, I’d love this

Gagagardener · 03/12/2023 12:32

I think I'm interested.

WinterParakeets · 03/12/2023 13:17

The London Salon thing looks good, though you are tied into monthly fees which always makes me a bit uneasy. Not sure about Write MAGIC - I want something more than just a FB session - I have done, and run those before, but want a smaller, tighter community that commits to the group and their current project.

OP posts:

Curtainscurtains · 03/12/2023 15:14

If you don't want to pay for it, you just say and they send you a code, no questions asked.

Curtainscurtains · 03/12/2023 15:15

I would happily have a writing group with you though. I have lots of space in my life at the moment - you can see my thread as to why.

MaybeDoctor · 04/12/2023 10:53

I am interested and Mondays suit me quite well - but it would be for academic writing rather than creative writing.

playbadlycast · 04/12/2023 22:10

This sounds wonderful and I would have loved to join, but my schedule has become so unpredictable that I can't commit to a specific day and time. I wish you all the best, though; it sounds great. Good luck.

HanarCantWearSweaters · 04/12/2023 22:24

I’d be interested in this - I WFH 9-5 but have been telling myself for last few months I need to get back into something more diligent and regular. Feels like the current period on my life is the time to finally get it done so would love to make the most of it. I get a bit overwhelmed by the more full-on groups about — the regular progress sharing, feedback, competitive style nature etc. I’m quite an insular self-conscious writer.

Itsjustbeach · 04/12/2023 22:38

I really need this in my life!! Mondays are my best days too. Would prefer it not to start too early though - night owl here!

Chocolatebars · 04/12/2023 22:40

Count me in. I definitely need the accountability otherwise I don't get any writing done. Glad to hear it's not just a me problem. 😉

NanoTime · 05/12/2023 10:08

I’m doing well at hitting my daily goals, largely thanks to nanowrimo, usually before 9 each morning but I have yet to start editing even though that’s the part I’m looking forward to. I freelance and my time is completely my own, so whatever days and times work best for the group are probably good for me.

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WinterParakeets · 07/12/2023 22:32

Thank you to @Curtainscurtains I've tried out the London Salon over the past 24 hours and really like it. They have one-hour sessions four times a day, led by really warm facilitators. You set your intention at the start of the hour, they read out an inspirational passage about writing, then it goes silent. After 50 mins you are brought back into the room with gentle music and comment on how the hour went. It's pretty much what I was looking for. I thought I wanted a longer session but a focused hour twice or three times a day can cover a lot of ground.

So I'm sticking with this at least until the New Year. It's free for two weeks and then £9 a month, but as @Curtainscurtains says, if anyone can't afford that, they give a free code.

OP posts:

Itsjustbeach · 08/12/2023 00:53

Thanks for the update, I'm going to try the London Writers Salon too. Happy writing!

heldinadream · 08/12/2023 09:13

Thanks OP, will look into it. Hope your writing goes well.

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