When I started the Community of Markham Writers, I’d been toying with the idea of a writing group for a long time. My search for a writing niche or Creative Writing classes in Markham had proved unfruitful and discouraging. Markham’s literary scene seemed simply barren.
I joined together with a friend who had a bit of extra time to spare, and we held the first CMW meeting within a week. At the time, I had a general idea of what I wanted for the CMW, but had not fully considered how much work it would take. Within the first month, organizing the CMW was taking up more time than my writing, and the member following just wasn’t there.
During my vacation in Florida, I spent a lot of time winding down from the undergraduate grind and reconsidering where I wanted to go with my writing career. I re-evaluated the way I’d been spending my time in an attempt to create a writing schedule. This reflection led to further consideration of the CMW. Is anyone really interested in it? Is it really worth the effort? Is there a reason why Markham doesn’t already have a writing group (perhaps it’s not needed or wanted)? Should I just give it up? But if I do, would I be giving it up to early?
Until now, I am still a bit hesitant to return to the CMW. I’m worried that it will take too much time and effort – time and effort I don’t mind spending if it is actually beneficial to others, but time and effort that would be wasted if no one else really saw any point to the group.
That being said, the fact that people – even if it’s only a few – are still asking, “When will the next CMW meeting be?”, or telling me that the CMW inspired them to write, makes me feel like the effort may be worth it.
If your schedule is free this Saturday, August 22, come and check out the Community of Markham Writers at 2pm in Angus Glen’s Room I meeting room. Meeting after a long hiatus, we will gather to discuss the goals of our group, the needs of our members, and what we’d like to see happen with the CMW in the future.
Feel free to RSVP via our online event or through e-mail ([email protected]), or check us out on Facebook to keep up-to-date with the latest CMW news.