15 Comments

I'm so glad you've written about this. I've been considering it a lot lately!

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Thank you so much Hayley! It really was something special wasn't it? I loved the journey with you all.

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It kind of feels like we...saved (??) ourselves 😭

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💯 agree

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I hadn't articulated that for myself but you're right, it does feel like that.

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I love co-writing! I do a lot less at the moment than I used to, though I know it really helps with accountability and productivity. Plus, as you say, a bit of company can make all the difference!

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I do love the idea of a co-writing group. Despite having a lovely writing group (screenwriters), we have never actually sat together on a zoom and written. I might have to suggest it!

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I loved writing with you in Calliope's so much! It's hard to put into words how magical co-writing can be, but you've captured that here. Really glad you've found a nurturing group to co-write with.

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I had no idea Calliope's had come to a close! Such a brilliant and supportive space. 100% agree that creating in tandem with others can be the difference between starting something and finishing it. Your progress is really inspiring and it is SO COOL that was your chosen community to get going in 😍😍😍

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Thanks for the reminder, Hayley. I do find co-writing super helpful and motivating. I'm less likely to procrastinate if I feel I've made a commitment and can see/ hear others showing up to their pages. I haven't attended LWS for a while but I have done a lot over the years. It's an incredible offering.

Sending you all the very best for your novel. Congratulations on getting to this stage with it

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It has SUCH a joy, privilege and a pleasure to write with you… I miss it SO much 🫶🏻 thank you so much for articulating this so beautifully… I’ve been trying to find the words recently and haven’t been able to, perhaps because I miss it too much! Thank you so much for your company and chat ❤️❤️❤️

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This was a lovely read :) Any advice on finding co-writing communities/spaces?

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Thanks, Megan! The Writers' Salon, Writers' HQ and Jericho Writers are great places to start if you've never dipped your toe into online writing communities before. For me, the best co-writing group right now is with the creative folk I've connected with over the years. It took a while for me to find this group (my whole life, basically!), but it feels very safe and nourishing.

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Thanks Hayley! Will give those a try. Finding people is so hard isn’t it? I’m glad you found a safe and nourishing space over time 🥰

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It's really hard! I wrote a little more about that here (although it's a common theme across much of my writing tbh!): https://open.substack.com/pub/hayleyjdunlop/p/2023-on-the-island-of-me?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1rtyf

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