International Lifestyle Magazine Issue 57 | Page 25

A Journey of
Holistic Intimacy

writing together in place and time
By Sus an Ly nn R e y nolds

T

his beautiful world is full of luscious, and even holistic,
experiences – all you have to do is flip through the pages
of this magazine to be convinced of that. Travelling
and “retreating” in groups is everywhere: bus tours, cruises,
golf holidays, photography groups, painting groups, yoga and
meditation groups.

So why writing? And why in a group? Aren’t writers supposed to be
scratching away alone in a garret somewhere?
Three words: Intimacy. Meaning. Affirmation.
Travelling together tends to promote intimacy no matter what the format.
You can’t help regard another human being with more affection after
you’ve seen them before their first coffee of the day.
But when we know we are in a safe space and we write together – stories
from our lives, or poems, essays, or fiction – we tell things in a different
way than our everyday, anecdotal voice.
We write in our truest voice, from our authentic selves. Even when the
story is fictional, the voice is deeply ours.
The Amherst Writers and Artists (AWA) Method – the protocol I use
to facilitate groups – is a pedagogical practice with a track record of
producing outstanding writing and keeping writers safe, so that they can
say their truest things (even if they’re said in fiction).
The effect this has on a group who are travelling together, or on retreat
together, is electric. People recognize that they are witnesses to a form
of storytelling that goes much deeper than “normal” social interaction.
And the writers not only move into their most meaningful material, they
experience immediate affirmation of what’s strong in their writing, giving
them the confidence to continue and build.
The AWA method insists on confidentiality once writers have moved away
from the writing space; this includes talking to the writers themselves
about their pieces. We don’t refer back to any writing we’ve heard when
we’re in general social spaces later on – eating, touring, hiking or just
relaxing together. But the tenderness that happens through listening to
each other’s writing pervades all the other interactions. This is likely why
writers’ retreats are known for kickstarting new romances!
For almost two decades now, I have been participating in extended,
group writing retreats (of betwee