Brianne Wragg
Have you ever found yourself in a room or group where creativity hums like electricity? I have, and let me tell you, it’s nothing short of magic. Whether sweating it out on the sports field, pursuing knowledge, or typing away in solitary silence, humans inherently need to connect. Writing, a traditionally solitary endeavor, finds a unique dynamic when brought into a collective.
Alright, let’s get a little geeky. Ever heard of ‘social facilitation’? Social facilitation is the heightened performance one experiences in the presence of others. Last week, a Writers’ 45er and a high-performing ski athlete shared his personal narrative about a day in his life. He recounted a group training session and remarked, “I always train harder in group training because I am trying to best the other kids on the team.”
You can think of social facilitation as the extra oomph you get when jogging alongside someone. Now, transport that to writing. It’s this little zing you feel when you write in the company of others, even if you’re all working on different things. If you’re still curious, ask your Writer 45er to explain the feeling of being part of a Writers’ 45.
During my meetings with new parents and kids, a recurring query pops up: “If they’re working on separate pieces, why join others? Why isn’t this just collaborative?” The answer lies in our initial ritual. At the start of every session, we prompt our writers to declare their sessions’s mission. This isn’t just goal-setting; it’s an atmospheric setup, like a silent high-five to everyone in the room. This practice solidifies the idea of social facilitation – creating an environment where individual goals, creative play, exploration, and pursuits are welcomed and drive collective motivation.
And just as I start every session with a ritual, we conclude each Writers’ 45 session. I like to whip out reflective questions like:
Our reflection questions are intricately tied to the principle of social facilitation, acting as catalysts that amplify the inherent power of our group setting. When our young writers openly share their work, experiences, challenges, and triumphs, they indirectly hold themselves accountable to the collective. The synergy created from these shared narratives propels individual motivation and perseverance, even when writing or creativity may have eluded them. Additionally, hearing their peers navigate similar or disparate writing journeys fosters an unspoken benchmarking, where one’s progress, achievements, and challenges are homogenized. These reflective moments cultivate self-awareness and reinforce our community’s bond, ensuring that no writer feels isolated in their endeavor. In essence, our reflection process harnesses the group’s energy, strengthening each writer’s resolve and fueling passions.
My passion for collective writing didn’t spring from a void. I’ve been fortunate to be part of several writing groups. But during the pandemic, my virtual refuge was the London Writers Salon’s Writers’ Hour. Every day, amidst a sea of writers, I dived into the world of words. Some days were dedicated to client copy and SEO writing, while others drifted to short stories or journal entries. This daily ritual became more than just about writing. On days when words dodged me, just amidst the collective energy was therapeutic.
It’s this magic, this palpable presence, that I wished to recreate for young writers, not as competition but as a celebration of shared creativity.
The age-old adage, “It takes a village,” rings true, even in writing. From setting goals to the joy of sharing breakthroughs and the solace in shared challenges, collective writing sessions elevate the individual journey into a shared adventure. Ultimately, it’s about harnessing the power of the group, not for competition, but for the sheer joy of collective creativity.
About the Author
Brianne Wragg is a deschooled English teacher. She started as a copywriter, ghostwriter and editor for companies and individuals after leaving schools. She returned to education, working at Synthesis School before running a creative writing & mentorship program for kids aged 10-15 years old.
Read On
Imagine a space where your child can unleash their thoughts without barriers, where the clock encourages a thrilling chase of words. A Quick Write is this spirited sprint—a short, timed writing bout that challenges young minds to flow with creativity without the brakes of perfectionism.
The label’ teacher’ feels overly restrictive. I don’t want to critique or elevate one role over the others, but I wish to share why the labels of mentor and coach resonate more deeply with me.
The old woman finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it permeated the room with a ghostly resonance. “Secrets are heavy burdens. To release them, one must be prepared for the void they leave behind. It can be filled with something far weightier.”
Weekly writing sessions and community to develop creative thinking, writing skills, and imagination for kids ages 10 to 16.