What motivates you to write? Do you have a favorite writing spot? Or certain music to type along to?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. I used to have so much more motivation and focus than I do now; though I’m not 100% certain, I often blame having children for my diminishing productivity. But how can I still blame them when they’re out of the house?! So, I’ve been taking steps recently to build back my writing habit.
One thing I’ve always been interested in is writing groups. Not so much a club, like school days of old, but more like what I imagine Tolkien and Lewis did in the Oxford days. From what I understand about the Inklings, the group would meet regularly to read/discuss/critique each other’s work, or simply to write in each other’s presence.
As I sit here at Starbucks, I wonder how many of those around me with laptops are doing the same thing I am. Perhaps that’s just another way my mind distracts me from purpose, but nonetheless, there’s something about knowing that the people you are with are working towards similar goals that pushes us. Maybe it’s accountability, maybe it’s encouragement; but, hey, whatever works, right?
I’ve been looking for a similar group near me but am not sure they exist. A colleague from UALR (who now works at UCA) used to post on Facebook about writers meeting, but that was in the Little Rock area. I also recently discovered that Hot Spring Village has a writer’s club. I’m planning to visit their next meeting, but, based on a review of their website, I’m not sure they spend time writing together.
So if you’re a writer in the Hot Springs area, and you’d be interested in this type of group, I’d love to hear from you!
Love it!