One of the most nourishing parts of my life is the writing groups I participate in. These communities mean a great deal to me. There is some overlap between two of the four groups. Two are free-writing groups based on prompts, with twelve- to twenty-minute writing sessions; one is a critique group; and one is a class I teach privately. Yet we’ve been together long enough that we’ve all become teachers to one another, not only in writing but also in life.

What is so nourishing? The connection. The truth-telling in both the writing and the comments. The gathering of folks who are interested in something bigger than themselves, something that requires risk, creativity, and openness. The shared belief that writing and reading are important not only for ourselves but also for the world around us. There is also the awareness that our truth has a way of reflecting universal truth and that the more honest we are about our hopes, dreams, beliefs, and struggles, the more we discover that people experience life in remarkably similar ways. We share common obstacles and longings, and recognizing that reality helps reduce the sense of disconnection we are so often invited to feel in an increasingly divided world.

In short, we believe that writing matters, that we matter, and that by writing, we are doing our small part to offer connection rather than disconnection to those who read our work.

I am grateful for the chance to spend time with others who share my values about the arts. How lucky we are to have writers, artists, musicians, actors, and the myriad other creative people who bring light and life into our everyday existence. I am happy to count myself among this hopeful and optimistic group.

One of the things that nourishes me most is the reminder that creativity is rarely a solitary endeavor. Even though we often write alone, we do not have to journey alone. What a gift it is to travel alongside others who believe that stories matter, truth matters, and that even our small acts of creativity can bring a little more light into the world.