Lynda Monk, a writer and circle practitioner, offers the following tips for hosting writing circles in your community.
Tips for Hosting Writing Circles:
I am passionate about the power of the Circle for writers. I co-authored, with Ahava Shira and Wendy Judith Cutler, a book called Writing Alone Together: Journalling in a Circle of Women for Creativity, Compassion and Connection. This book was born from our experience of being together in a journaling circle for three years. We then embarked on writing about our experience, taking another four years to write and publish this book which is part memoir, part how to, and part inspiration.
1. Honour the circle.
Invite people into the circle, whether for in-person or online virtual events. This helps participants know that they are being invited into an experience where connection with others will be cultivated.
Use the language of the circle in your promotional materials since the language of gathering in circle communicates something meaningful about your writing event. Whether it is an in-person writing workshop, or an online writing retreat, or some other offering that brings writers together in some way, when it happens within a circle process it is about coming together to learn, share and grow individually and collectively.
2. Open the circle with intention and care.
I always welcome people to the circle and thank them for coming together. I explain a bit about the circle as a vehicle for respectful learning, sharing and connecting. I offer that everyone’s presence matters and makes a difference.
I read something relevant and inspirational, perhaps a poem or an excerpt from a book related to writing, creativity or self-expression.
Next, I invite participants to introduce themselves and share their names, where they are joining from, along with one hope (intention or expectation for the time together, the event), fear (anything they might be feeling reluctant or unsure about as the event starts) and fantasy (what is one exceptional thing that could happen in our time together that would exceed your expectations) that they have for the writing circle/event. Taking time to presence everyone in the circle is a key part of beginning to build connections together.
I start the introductions to lead by example and then I invite the person to my left to go next, saying that I am passing from my left (my heart) to them and then around the circle we go. I do this same thing in a virtual circle and I will ask people to imagine that we are sitting in a circle together in a room and I ask who is sitting on my left and someone always speaks up and progress the same way around the virtual circle.
3. Participate in the writing circle.
As a facilitator, you are a leader. In circle gatherings, as a facilitator you are not separate from the circle but rather an integral part of it.
There are different opinions on whether facilitators of writing workshops should actually write and share alongside participants, or not. There are times as a facilitator you have a certain role to play (to hold the space, help create emotional safety in the group, teach various learning elements relevant to your event, etc.). I find that participating and sharing, while also facilitating helps to create connection and trust within the group. It is important to stay in integrity as the facilitator and honour boundaries (your own as well as those of your circle participants).
Ultimately, every participant in a circle is also a leader, a contributor. As the facilitator, be sure to lead-by-example, share, participate, hold the space and honour the process.
4. Engage in the Writing Alone Together* practice – see below for further details.
5. Close the circle with intention and care.
It is important to close the writing circle with care. Take the time to acknowledge people for being present, for writing, for sharing and connecting.
Read something relevant and inspiring to bring a sense of closure to the time together.
Go around the circle and invite final comments from participants. You might ask them to share what they want to remember from this experience, or what really stood out for them from participating in the circle. You might even offer a reflective question as a journaling prompt, give them 3-5 minutes to write and respond, then open it up to share their writing as the final go around in the circle. Judge this based on how much time you have left (you want to end on time), the energy in the group, and the desired way you want to bring closure to your unique circle.
Offer your own final comments in the circle highlighting key things you want to emphasize and acknowledge. If you have a candle lit in the centre of your circle, now is the time to blow it out as a symbol of the circle coming to an end. Thank everyone for being part of the circle, gratitude is the most powerful way to end this time together.
*Writing Alone Together
In our Writing Alone Together practice, based on our book by this title, we engage in four key elements when we gather in our writing circles, these include:
Writing Freely – either flowing from a journaling or writing prompt, or simply by going to the page and starting to write whatever comes in the moment (in writing workshops or retreat, I always give a prompt so that there is a common starting point to the writing and it helps people get started). These are also timed writings so that both the time and the prompt offer a sense of structure, containment and direction to the writing itself – all of which can help create that sense of emotional safety for self-expression and creativity to flourish.
Reading Aloud – after writing for a defined period of time, perhaps 10-20 minutes depending on the nature and purpose of your unique writing circle and event, participants are invited to share their writing. People are always in choice with what they share, this is very important, people should never feel forced or pressured to share their writing. Choice creates an environment of safety, respect and empowerment, all of which are critical in a writing circle. People can share a) what they wrote, or b) a line or two of what they wrote, or c) what it was like to do the writing, or d) they can also pass if they do not wish to share. In my experience, the vast majority of people choose to share their writing.
Listening Deeply - Listen wholeheartedly, compassionately and non-judgementally as people share their stories. Role model this as the facilitator and also invite others in the circle to do the same. Say that both the storyteller (reader) and the listener can be transformed in the presence of stories that are told and heard wholeheartedly. Being heard, without judgement, is a gift we can give to our fellow writers and storytellers.
Bearing Witness – When we write and share our writing with others, we are agreeing to be vulnerable and to be seen. Bearing witness is a way of seeing one another with our hearts, with our whole being. This involves not only hearing the writing that is being shared, but honouring and seeing the person who is sharing it. This allows us to see one another in truly authentic ways. This is the true heart of transformation through writing in circle.
Lastly, remember that from beginning to end within your writing circle, everything that happens matters. Engage in your circle with intention, care, kindness and compassion. Writing will flourish. Individuals will thrive. People will be transformed, individually and together.
Lynda Monk, MSW, RSW, CPCC is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Professional Life Coach and writer. Within her businesses, Thrive Training & Coaching and the International Association for Journal Writing, Lynda uses the Circle as a way of gathering people and facilitating workshops, training programs and retreats.
She is the co-author of Writing Alone Together: Journalling in a Circle of Women for Creativity, Compassion and Connection, as well as co-author of the international bestseller Inspiration for a Woman’s Soul: Choosing Happiness. She is also the author of Life Source Writing: A Reflective Journaling Practice for Self-Discovery, Self-Care, Wellness and Creativity and producer of the Creative Wellness Guided Meditations CD. Lynda lives with her family on Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada where she tries her best to write everyday.