BENEFITS OF THE EASTSIDE TUCSON WRITING ROOM
Closing out this Love Month of February 2025 with words from some of the members of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room.
Each writing group I’ve had the good fortune to be a part of has undoubtedly enriched my writing. These writing communities have also influenced and shaped me in other areas of my life too.
If I want my life to be congruent with what I’ve said about “words are powerful,” I must choose my words with care. And my actions must match what I’ve said. Sometimes the words I speak slip out without thought, or fly out impulsively, or are tossed out with impatience, or anxiety, or fear. It doesn’t happen often, but once out, they’re out there. I can’t take them back. I can make amends for them with my actions, but the sting may still remain.
How to curb this throwback habit? I spend time each morning in practice of yoga and quiet time, then visualize where I’ll be and who I’ll be with. What words will best build a connection with me and… anyone in my world today?
A Book That Guides Me
Our Eastside Tucson Writing Room go-around reminds me to choose words that fit what I hope to accomplish. In our Zoom meeting we state writing intentions- a strong commitment to focus on a certain writing action – and do it. In this I am reminded of the first agreement in Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements. “Be impeccable with your word.”
The attentive listening as each writer shares is so powerful. Ten or twelve or sometimes maybe just five other writers hear my intention- my promise of what I will do, and they believe this will happen. It helps me to carry out that action. This attentiveness seeps into other parts of my life. I am a writer whether writing or not. I’m always viewing life through the lens of an attentive writer. And much of that life view is bolstered by my colleagues. What a perk for being a part of this group!
THOUGHTS FROM OUR MEMBERS
I asked members to share what the benefit of our group was for them. Here are some replies:
Paula Brown I appreciate so much the camaraderie and enthusiasm of the other writers. There are a lot of good suggestions and notices of writing opportunities given out in these meetings. I feel much more dedicated to my own writing when I hear about what other people are working on and their commitment to their work.
Elizabeth Murfee Nothing is more beneficial than to be in a room filled with writers who are quietly working away on their writing. The air becomes charged with creativity and the buzz of brains on fire. Absolutely a contagious experience.
Gayle Petrillo I’m so grateful that Nicole Smith shared this writer’s group with me. The members are warm, authentic, gracious, supportive, and knowledgeable and very willing to share information, which is so helpful to novice writers like me.
My memoir, Accidentally Burned: Overcoming Trauma-Based Fears, Phobias and Self-Doubt, will be published this year and I look forward to sharing it with other burn survivors as well as our community at large as it includes tips on how to avoid burns (hot liquid, house fires and more) and resources.
~ Gayle Petrillo, MBA, President First Impressions Image Consulting & Career Coaching www.firstimpressions1.com firstimpressions602@gmail.com
Jennifer Beauchamp “Being a writer is like having homework for the rest of your life!” I have this saying hanging on my office wall. The photo underneath is of a little girl with mouth and eyes wide open arms up in the air screaming!
Being a writer is a lonely job! You spend hours upon hours alone with your computer recording your thoughts and story. The Eastside Tucson Writing Room’s weekly Zoom call provides me with face-to-face time with fellow writers/authors. We share our current writing projects and goals. The call is my “Fellowship of Authors.” They bring me helps and hints, encouragement, support, and excitement right to my writing desk from all over the U.S. each week. I look forward to absorbing their wisdom, knowledge, and sharing their current projects together. A team event for a one-person job. ~ Jennifer Laurie Beauchamp, http://www.jenniferbeauchamp.com/
Kathy McIntosh Why I Appreciate the Eastside Tucson Writing Room
Weekly check-ins with a group of supportive writers have helped me immensely in a period when I’ve felt bogged down creatively. Several times I’ve mentioned something I’m struggling with or seeking, and another writer—either during or just after our Zoom call—provides the perfect solution. I am grateful I’m not alone as I face the valleys and the peaks of my writing journey. ~ Kathy McIntosh. Writer of mystery short stories and novels www.kathymcintosh.com
Penelope Starr Hearing each other’s stories about the writing journey is what brings me back each week. I am grateful for the generous sharing of resources and ideas and the opportunity to offer some of my own. We are all coming from very unique life experiences, so the wealth of expertise is staggering. ~ Penelope Starr, author of Desert Haven and The Radical Act of Community Storytelling; SoulCollage facilitator
Pat Bean While I’ve not been faithful to the group, I always get inspiration from what the other writers are doing. I’m hoping to be a more frequent participant in the coming year. I need this group right now. Hugs my dear friend. Thank you for all the work you do to keep this group going. ~ Pat Bean -” It’s never too late to chase your dreams.” Author of Travels with Maggie Blogs at https://patbean.net
(elm note: Holding a space and sharing in our Zoom room, whether once a week, or month, or year, qualifies as faithful. Your words may be just what one of us needed to hear that day.)
Sally Lanyon Entering the Writing Room is like seeking refuge from the wind and rain in the Cheers bar. I am welcomed by friends who care about the same things I do: ideas, grammar, advocacy, ethics, courage, and each other. I state my writing intention, per the group’s purpose, but give and gain, oh so much more in the way of helpful suggestions and the glorious feeling of encouragement. ~ Sally Lanyon, Author of The Autobiography of Brutus Buckeye www.thebrutusblog.com
Susan Smith The Eastside Tucson Writing Room is a source of inspiration for me. I look forward to our meetings to hear and see what my fellow writers are working on. With so many diverse personalities, specialties, and writing disciplines, I learn something new at every gathering!
Susan Smith is an award-winning author of two books. She is a popular speaker at events, clubs, and groups. ~ Susan Smith, Writer & Storyteller, Author of My Heart Attack Saved my Life … But for What? and Follow Your Heart Visit my sites
Nicole Smith My editor connected me with the ETWR. I am so grateful to have found a vibrant, productive group of writers to collaborate with in my new city. The camaraderie and support is reciprocal all around in our efforts to put words on the page and keep each other accountable to our word and word projects! ~ Nicole J. Smith, https://njsmithbooks.com/
Lynn Jarrett Thank you again for offering me this opportunity to be a part of your writing group. Even though I was only a part of this group for a few months, I have enjoyed the meetings and always come away with new ideas.
Being a part of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room (ETWR) is wonderful tool I have in my writing arsenal. Any Tuesday afternoon I am honored with the opportunity to spend a little time with many experts in the field of writing. In the past, I have found in any group there is usually someone who has had the same question or issue arise and can always offer some advice or instruction. Our group has members residing in several cities across the country which adds to the possibilities of so many insights and opinions to share. I am a lifelong learner and ETWR is an awesome place to be!!
Thank you, my writing colleagues and friends. elm
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, and semi-retired from coaching, and professional editing. Founder of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room based in Tucson AZ, she’s posted 100s of blogs, and is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, gather writers together, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys teaching, speaking, and storytelling at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, Tucson Tellers of Tales Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.