A Small Fire In The Dark

Entering a writer’s circle and finding sparks of courage, creativity, and community.

“A writing circle is a small fire in the dark—each voice a spark, each story a flame that teaches the others how to burn brighter.”

For most of my life I have dreamed of publishing a book. Ideas come and sometimes I even start to formulate them into something. But it always seems to fade into the backdrop of life. Wind up on my blog. Or, life itself gets in the way. The internal struggles:

• This is good and I can’t wait! — Shortly afterwards, I’ll publish it online somewhere.

• This sounds like a million other books. Who’s going to really be interested in mine?

• This is too BIG! I’ll be writing another “War & Peace” academic monstrosity.

• Health is struggling from to much time in front of the screen. I need to workout, eat better, and move more. I don’t want to loose my transfer independence!

• Will this work actually be meaningful a valued by others? I don’t want to put in all this effort only to have stacks of copies in my storage room to give away to others only to full shelf space. (Sorry. Being brutally honest.)

Are they valid? Honestly, I don’t know. But… the dream still comes up from time to time. Nudges from the Spirit? Maybe.

Anyways, New Leaf Network recently opened an invitation to join a writers circle. Perhaps you are asking, what is that?! In short… a group of writers who meet to share their work, provide constructive feedback, and offer mutual support in a safe and encouraging environment. In this case, we are connecting across country through Zoom.

It is my first time entering these kind of relationships and while I keep hopeful in the dream of producing something from the accountability & support, I also feel a bit intimidated. They all seem so accomplished, qualified… and way smarter then me! Still, I feel so incredibly honoured to be part of the fellowship and co-bearer to keeping the “flame” burning among us!

What do I expect from such a camaraderie in the pursuit of publication?

Perhaps first, a soundboard to ideas, thoughts, and writing samples. With the greater knowledge of the others in my circle, I would greatly appreciate there input to the quality of my efforts in my writing style and pieces. Is this worth writing? Is it engaging? Or what more or less does it need to communicate the message? At the same time, perhaps resources could be exchanged to help in the researching of my written project. Or aids to help with writing.

Second, while I don’t want a beat down for missing a deadline, I deeply need to find a sense of accountability and perhaps schedule for my writing goals. I can write. But without a focused date of expected completion from fellow sojourning friends in the same processes, it is too easy for me to put off for those other internal reasonings. It might be crap that I turn in. But it keeps me accountable to improvement and redrafting. I should also mention; this is a deadline for written pieces. I don’t think I am ready for a finished publication draft just yet.

Perhaps also connected to this accountability piece is to be a kind of advisory board to other projects. It is easy, really easy for me to fall in love with other projects in the disabled advocacy roll and end up taking on to much. It quickly leads to burnout. An encouraging advisor to ask if new projects are a worthy fitting amidst my other pursuits could be helpful.

Thirdly, to be sparks & embers that keep our collective flames ablaze with creativity, passion,. skills, and drive to accomplish the goal — PUBLICATION!! Let’s keep this fun! How do we do that? Honestly, I have no idea. Maybe we could have a guest in our meetings every so often to talk to us about certain subjects related to our writings. Or someone who could improve our writing abilities. Ideas?

Fourthly, this might be the hardest considering my mobility. Let’s keep it real as much as possible. We are spread out across the country. But lets try not to get lost in the matrix of online superficial-ism. If there is opportunity to meet face to face, let’s make it happen. Writer retreat workshops? Maybe those, too. If we get good at this… what if we planned, organized and hosted a workshop for the other New Leaf Circles?! Maybe I’m getting ahead and thinking too creatively.

Final Words…

This past weekend Kyle Trigg asked in my home church, what would be the greatest final words you ever spoke? Ok, I’m probably paraphrasing a bit from where my imagination went during his message. But the clear words that spoke in my head came from the lips of Jesus — “It is Finished!”

To be clear, I don’t expect for us to have an expected finish line drawn out with date, time, and schedule. I hope for an epic adventurous quest for completion together! A journey that brings new encounters and fellowships along the way. Overcomes tumultuous mountains and powerless pitfalls falls through the camaraderie of friendship & support. And yes, finally sees & shares the exciting conclusions of all of us publishing something completely unexpected from each of us, with the blessings of God’s Holy Spirit.

“The human soul doesn’t want to be advised, or fixed, or saved. It simply wants to be witnessed—to be seen, heard, and companioned exactly as it is.”

— Parker J. Palmer, ‘Let Your Life Speak’