The extended isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic is affecting writers in different ways at different times. Some are able to be immensely productive, luxuriating in the uninterrupted space and solitude. Others are struggling to maintain focus and motivation. The Writing Hour is an experiment in shared writing time, offered as part of Linda France’s Writing the Climate Residency. There will be an opportunity to come together once a month on Zoom and simply write together in silence.
Concentration is contagious and working in a group setting can make a big difference to the energy and awareness we bring to our writing. There will be no preamble or structure apart from a free-writing prompt, with half an ear on the weather and the world around us, to get us started. We will write for around 50 minutes and there will be a brief (entirely non- compulsory) space at the end to share any passing thoughts with fellow writers.
Writing in the session once a month might be all the time you need. You may feel inspired to schedule in more writing hours on your own. It might help you make progress on a piece of work that’s stalled or a whole new project might come to the surface. It’s worth a try. Without our usual groups and classes, cafés and support systems, we need as many opportunities for connection and encouragement as we can make happen.
These sessions are designed for writers with their own ongoing practice or those used to writing alongside others in workshop situations. There is no formal guidance or teaching but simply a chance to come together, open our hearts, minds and language banks and connect with others in writerly solidarity.
Read more about Writing the Climate here.
