Scribbles Writing Club

A reflection

Bottom right: the journals, ready to post! Bottom middle: an image to get our creativity fizzing. Bottom left: I couldn’t wait to fill a page in my journal with single words- an interesting activity. Top right: to write outdoors was a lovely gift. Top middle: Day Three prompt turned into a geography lesson for me. Top left: connecting with friends but also writing in the morning and the evening was a highlight!

Hi,

Surprisingly, this is the first time that I have sat at my desk this week. School holidays aren’t a time for me to rest and recuperate- they are my chance to spend time with the two most important humans in the land. That does not, however, mean that I am able to be at their beck and call (must google etymology of that phrase EDIT: for goodness’ sake- it is clearly an abbreviation of beckon!) 24/7: I have to make time for myself and I have to remember that I need that time to feel happy and good about myself and to feed my creative well. Our days are filled with cuddles on the sofa; screaming matches between rooms; snacks and scraped together meals; tv, screens; walks to the park; time in the garden; time together and time apart. If I didn’t create a strict requirement for me to do something only for me- I wouldn’t do it. Ever.

And so, at some point a few weeks ago, I decided that it was time to force myself into some accountability for my writing. I’ve mentioned before that I have no idea why I am this way, but I need a cold hard reason to pick up a pen, and just knowing it is good for me doesn’t seem to be enough.

The idea was simple: a little journal to post out to those who sign up. A whatsapp group with a prompt each day, an image, a space to share and chat. A video call or too to smile and some following/tagging/sharing on Instagram (my one true social media love, alongside you, dear Substack).

Two friends (it’s possible I roped them in without giving them much choice) and three writers from the great wide web joined the ‘club’ and away we went on Monday. I had originally planned to plan the prompts before the week started , but I hadn’t factored in how exhausting the final week of school would be- and it was. As it happened, prompts came to me at just the right time, either the night before or as I woke. The only one that has been planned for weeks is Friday’s- tomorrows- and that was an easy one. Since Monday, we have covered: place, the Japanese idea of ‘oubaitori’ (everything blossom’s in its own time), we chose a one word prompt from the journal, thought about ‘connect’ and a short from prompt from the journal and a couple of us met this evening to have a go at writing together online.

I have written everyday, and it has been a boost to hear from others that they have written too, and to share our words has been an extra support. I hope that the small group of us will keep using the journals and that we will write together again at some point. Maybe THIS is how Scribbles might continue. It hasn’t been too onerous or regimented, it has worked, and I’ve enjoyed it- I hope we all did.

If you are reading this and you would like to be involved in any future writing clubs- let me know! Or if you think you know someone who would like to be involved in the future- send this their way!

Finally, watch out for my next letter where I will share the five prompts that have kept us occupied this week.

Rachael x