by Rahim Said
In the throes of lockdown, isolation gripped us, severing physical ties and leaving us yearning for the warmth of human contact.
Video calls and Zoom meetings, while functional, could not replace the joy of our regular morning coffee meet-ups or the two hour lunches at the club or the late-night supper and teh tarik at the corner mamak shop.
John Donne’s words echoed and reechoed in my mind: “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” I am human, and for that reason, I yearned for social interactions with like-minded people that was ripped away from our lives then.
But as a creative writer, it is not just eating and drinking, but the conversations that offer insights into what my fellow writers think about what I write was what I missed most. Peer group feedback is more meaningful than views from strangers who merely pen their nasty comments at the bottom of my columns and then disappeared into oblivion.
I craved the camaraderie of fellow writers and friends, longing for direct feedback from everyone and hungrily hoping to make that elusive human connection, which was scarce during lockdown.
The Power of Community
Throughout history, artists, including writers, have thrived on community support. They travelled across oceans just to be with other literary geniuses. The Lost Generation, a celebrated collective of expatriate writers in 1920s Paris, exemplified this synergy — F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, E.E Cummings, from the US, and others converged, creating a hub of creativity, leaving a legacy of great creative works behind.
Similar literary collectives worldwide, like the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, continue to foster creativity.
Closer to home are Singapore Writers Festival, Georgetown Literary Festival in Penang, and Malaysian Writers Fest in Kuala Lumpur serve the same purpose.
As the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic eases, face-to-face interactions and workshops are rekindled, reviving the essence of communal support for writers.
Online Platforms and Writing Groups
Engaging with Newswav, a dynamic news aggregator platform, I have facilitated workshops for budding columnists, fostering growth in Malaysia and Bali. Also, I chaired a panel discussion at Taylor’s University aimed at guiding communication and journalism students in their career pursuits.
More recently, we offered similar workshops to students from four other universities around Kuala Lumpur. Newswav’s inclusive events, open to all, provide opportunities for aspiring writers to connect.
Other publications, including Weekly Echo, an online news platform, also offers workshops; stay updated through online announcements and registrations.
By associating yourself with writing groups, you will gain invaluable feedback, motivation, and a sense of belonging. But more importantly, being a member of these groups may help relieve that feeling of loneliness in a career that demands you spend more time alone than with others.
Guidelines for Building a Supportive Community
Create your own writing community; my first group brought together fifteen retired seniors eager to write. With Newswav’s support, our initial gathering blossomed into an ongoing WhatsApp group, with some members regularly contributing to Newswav.
Differences and transitions are normal; ensure members understand the core principles of reciprocity, respect, and engagement. There will be some who may opt out, but that is part of the group process. Members do come and go depending on their priorities, preferences, and tastes.
Success lies in regular meetings and hosting events, fostering a sense of unity. Ubud’s 20th-anniversary celebration in October 2023 exemplifies the enduring impact such communities can have.
Georgetown Literary Festival in Penang and Malaysian Writers Fest likewise hold annual events to bring writers together at least once a year to promote that sense of camaraderie amongst Malaysian writers.
The Impact on Your Writing
Joining supportive writing communities has transformed my style, skills, and creativity. Feedback, both positive and critical, guided my evolution from a naive viewpoint to a more cynical stance on politics. This shift resonates with my followers, brightening their day.
Workshop interactions inspire adjustments; my columns now reflect heightened cynicism and sarcasm towards political leaders and their maneuvers.
Conclusion
Building a community in the world of writing is more than a supportive network; it is a transformative journey. Through face-to-face interactions, workshops, and online platforms, writers find inspiration, motivation, and a shared sense of purpose. Embrace these values. They will make writing more meaningful for you.
Rahim Said is a human behaviourist and a regular contributor on digital media platforms. He is a professional management consultant, a corporate trainer and an executive coach specialising in coaching of senior executives and individual entrepreneurs with the purpose of modifying their behaviour in the pursuit of their cherished missions.
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