The Write Stuff

It was a dark and stormy night.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer.

Fuck.

Writing is hard. I mean, sure — the inspiration part is easy. But when it’s time to roll up your sleeves and put pen to paper, one minute you’re writing and the next you’re getting drunk with an imaginary bartender and chasing your wife with an ax. Figuratively, of course.

Writing is a solitary process, but creating doesn’t have to be. That’s the beauty of a writing class or group. When people with a shared goal gather to experience writing together — the triumphs and struggles, the inspiration and the drudgery, the murderous rages — magic can happen. And if those groups are led by experts in their field, even better.

If you, dear writer, would prefer honing your craft to tackling a bathroom renovation project this fall, check out the free roundtable event at School One in PVD called “Writing and the Literary Life in Rhode Island.” Hosted by Grub Street, the nationally recognized writing school that happens to hold classes right in PVD, this panel event will feature representatives from literary and writing organizations across the state including Frequency Writers, What Cheer Writers Club, Reading with Robin, Point Street Reading Series, Rhode Island Center for the Book, Association of Rhode Island Authors, Ocean State Review and others. Go, ask questions, find a group, find a class, find a partner and get your gorgeous thoughts out of your head. It’ll be fun, and it sure beats freezing to death in a labyrinth.

Writing and the Literary Life in Rhode Island takes place on Sep 17 from 6 – 9pm at School One, 220 University Ave, PVD. For more information: grubstreet.org/providence