By Rachel Young
I know, I know. I should sit down and write. But I have shiny object syndrome. New pens, new writing gadgets, stationery—just about anything to do with writing grabs my attention, except the actual writing. I go to conferences, fairs, and events to improve my writing but don’t actually write. I’m all preparation and no follow-through.
Why? What’s wrong with me?
In another form of procrastination, I was online scrolling for writing opportunities when I discovered a group of people who had the same issue and, like me, needed accountability. Shut Up and Write! is a non-profit started in a San Francisco café in 2007 that offers in-person and online writing sessions for writers who need a push to write. Through this program, I’ve steadily made progress on my writing, averaging 1,000 words each time I shut up and write.
Shut Up and Write! has hundreds of in-person chapters and over 400 online writing groups operating in more than 80 countries, with over 1,500 total writing events held every week. And they’re free!
Each group is independently run, meeting once or twice a week for an hour and a half at a local café, bookstore, or online. The first fifteen minutes are spent on greetings, getting a drink and snacks, and sharing what writers are working on. For the next hour, participants shut up and write. At the end of the hour, writers can socialize and share their accomplishments, whether that’s word count (I wrote 500 words!), a fleshed-out scene, or finishing the poem about the flowers in the backyard.
Writers of all abilities and genres are welcome. Some may be multi-published authors while others may have never written a single word. Some may be technical writers, others may be poets or romance authors. It doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that for an hour, they’re writing whatever it is they want to write.
I recently became an organizer, starting a Shut Up and Write! group in my area. We met for the first time this week, and I was thrilled to meet new writers and start a community where we can feel supported and make progress on our writing projects.
If you are having trouble finding time to write, or need a push or accountability for your writing, I encourage you to check out Shut Up and Write! On their website, you can learn more about the organization, find a local or online group, read articles about writing, participate in challenges, and more. If there’s no group near you, you can start your own as I did. The Shut Up and Write! organization provides resources to help you start and manage your group, including selecting a meeting location, marketing, and running the group. Training is provided.
About Rachel Young:
Rachel Young is a passionate romance writer and editor hailing from the picturesque countryside of Spotsylvania County, Virginia. When she’s not crafting tales of love and passion, she enjoys the company of my two loyal dogs and her supportive husband. Together they often explore new places of interest, seeking fresh inspiration for her next literary romantic adventure. A lover of all things Scotland, she’s enchanted by the rugged beauty of the Highlands and the iconic Highland cows. She also has a passion for crime TV, and she’s often glued to the screen, unraveling thrilling mysteries.
Shut Up And Write! logo from Shut Up and Write!
