What do I need?

With such a diverse and changing group of writers, it helps to check in and see what our goals are so we get what we want out of our time together. Some of us have been writing together for six years now and we continue to welcome new members every week. Last week we had a discussion about what sustains and interests us.

 

Q: What do I need for writing to be a satisfying experience? What do I want to do with my writing (plans, ideas, goals)?

 

Here are some of the responses.

 

More writing prompts

More experimental poems

Create pictures in poems

Exit writing ruts

Find new voice

Learn how to write cover letters for submitting

Expand literary horizons

Like the editing

Like the time and space for writing

Write essays

Learn how to organize ideas

Learn how to research

Show not tell

Like the outlet for emotions, venting

Learn how to submit

More wordsquatting

Address classism

Use imagination

Write from emotion

Find clarity in confused thought

Tackle fear of finishing

Write personal allegory

Produce!

Incorporate poetry in non-fiction

Try different types of writing

Get help with research since I don’t have a computer

Get editing help

Make a collection of work

Write more poetry

Read more in class and share favourite pieces

Use a hatful of prompts

Write by modeling after other writers and their texts

Sonnets

Share info on writing contests

Get feedback at table

Learn how to workshop and share work

Discuss process of writing

Stop gener-editing (writing and editing simultaneously)

Work on variations of themes

Try playwriting

Learn how to write conversations

Publish and circulate my writing

Work on form

Publish a book

Share my writing more

Try and write a play

Get out of the echo chamber of my head by joining a writing community

Put together an anthology of short stories, prose and poetry

Access unconscious imagery

Finish some plays

Write about the DTES: problems, hopes, conflicts

Write about the oil sands

Talk and write about theory as it relates to social issues

Practice, practice, practice

Write in a new point of view

Learn how to edit