As you probably know (if you’ve read my Joy of writing post) I discovered the joy of writing while living in the US. There I attended Don’s writing course at the Cambridge Centre for Adult Education, and later on ―while rewriting my debut novel Colours of a Cultural Chameleon― I got back in touch with him as an editor for my manuscript. Therefore, for me my writing journey as an author started during this course back in 2014; now more than 10 years ago.
Repatriating back to the Netherlands I decided to create a short stories volume filled with many of the travel stories I had started writing during the classes in Cambridge. To rekindle my writing bug postpartum I attended regular face to face writer sessions, organised by writing coach Janine, in our local library. By chance, at just the right moment in my writing process Janine set up a ‘Write your book’ group. It was exactly what I needed:
A nudge and the encouragement to finally take on the challenge of writing a book to be published.
During the following six months I elaborated on the ‘Cambridge short stories’ and laid the foundation for my debut CCC; gratefully incorporating the group’s feedback. One of the published authors from those meet-ups is now a close friend. Her successes bring me joy. This is one thing I’ve noticed in fellow writers too: we cheer for each other and applaud others’ successes. We don’t see other authors as competitors.
After publishing CCC I kept attending the writer meet-ups in the library, but unfortunately by then we had moved to a different city and it became tough to keep going on a regular basis. My new local library also had monthly writers’ gatherings, however with a completely different set up. The mode of communication was in Dutch as were the hand in essays and accompanying feedback. This did not cater to my needs, so I stopped attending these meet-ups. Then -during the COVID pandemic period- Janine’s events became digital and again I was able to partake and be amongst like-minded writers. During these online events I noticed that -contrary to my expectations- participants were able to form meaningful connections. I was able to relate to the others and appreciated that it was possible to create a sense of community online, not just In Real Life (IRL).
Having got accustomed to online sessions I joined a gathering hosted by ‘MisunderstoodTCK’ Tanya 🙏. This was for an international crowd of TCK writers. If you are a TCK then you know how wonderful it always is to meet fellow third-cultural and cross-cultural kids. During these writing sessions I came to the realisation that there are so many aspiring authors out there with an international background/upbringing 💕, and that each one of us had a story to tell. I’m looking forward to many more Saturdays writing with this bunch from all around the world 🎉🥰.
We all acknowledge that everyone has a story to tell, and we cherish this
Participant of TCK writing session hosted by Tanya from MisunderstoodTCK
During one of these sessions I finally started writing the first chapter of Kamala’s Entropy 🙏. Without Tanya’s question ‘what’s your goal for today? ‘, I wouldn’t have focused on that tough chapter. It was the toughest chapter to figure out timewise as it had to fit just right in with Colours of a Cultural Chameleon [CCC] and also had to set the right tone for Kamala’s Entropy. When I wrote Colours of a Cultural Chameleon I didn’t know I’d be writing a ‘sequel’. Once I started writing the ‘sequel’ I realized that the story in Entropy starts somewhere mid CCC. This turned out to be quite a complicating factor as it required me to map out yet another timeline. That day I spent more that 30 mins just racking my brains on this puzzle 😅. I am glad I did though, as at the end of the writing session I was thrilled with the result 🤗.
Another online community that I have posted about in the past is the International coaches/TCK group on Instagram. On this social media platform I connected with Usha while reading her open-hearted contributions to the May on the move prompts in 2023. We instantly connected and she introduced me to Catriona and her Creative Coffee sessions, which take place online, weekly alternating between Wednesdays and Thursdays.
It’s during one of these creative coffees that I wrote my current blog. These online sessions create a sense of belonging – being with fellow writers from the UK and Europe- but also allow for accountability. Online writing groups help us ‘part time writers’ to set aside all other chores and focus on the actual writing process for just a few hours every week. In our busy schedules it ‘forces us’ or should I say allows us to spend time writing. Knowing that others are writing too and having to answer the question ‘what are you going to focus on today” helps a great deal.
I am part of a number of writing groups, but as a writer I also love reading books. I joined a local ‘Biography reading group’, and brought down the average age considerably 😉 as you might have read here. In my opinion age is irrelevant, it’s all about the common denominator. Finding that which connects you with the other; a joint passion. The ladies are all very different character wise, but share an interest in others and have an open world view. With them I enjoy discussing books and life in general.
Last year wanting to finally celebrate my beloved festival of Holi in the Netherlands, I ventured out to the city of Enschede (10 mins by train). There I met Neena and her family of three. Neena introduced me to the local international writing group in my home town. Yet another community to be part of 😉😁.
Meeting people, each with their own story, warms my soul. I guess – not only Kamala- but in real life too I am that cultural chameleon who is always in search of her community (and always will be).
Finding a place where she feels at home, at ease and where she can bloom.
What’s your story? Drop me a line
Shakti Hannie 