Writing Club
Create a gentle, recurring space for people to write, share (if they’d like), and feel encouraged in their creative work.
Materials & Shopping Links
Notebooks or Loose Paper
A dedicated place for drafts, ideas, and notes
Quantity: 1 per person
Pens and Pencils
Comfortable writing tools for longer sessions
Quantity: 1–2 per person
Prompt Cards
Simple writing prompts to get started
Quantity: Shared set
Timer or Phone
To keep writing sprints structured
Quantity: 1
Welcome to Your Writing Club
Writing is easier when you don’t have to do it alone. This kit helps you host a low-pressure writing club where people can show up with their messy drafts and half-formed ideas and feel welcome.
Before You Begin
- Best for 3–10 people
- Works well at a table, in a living room, or in a quiet café
- Let people know sharing is always optional
Flow of the Gathering
1. Check-In (10–15 minutes)
- Ask everyone to share their name and what they’re working on (or hope to work on)
- Invite one word describing how they’re arriving (tired, curious, scattered)
2. Writing Sprint(s) (30–45 minutes)
- Set a timer for 15–25 minutes
- Offer a prompt for anyone who doesn’t have a project yet
- Encourage heads-down writing—no talking, no editing each other
3. Short Break (5–10 minutes)
- Stretch, refill drinks, open a window
- Keep it light and short to maintain momentum
4. Sharing & Reflection (20–30 minutes)
- Invite volunteers to read a paragraph or a page
- Ask the group to respond with what they liked or what stayed with them—no critiquing line by line
- Close with each person naming a small next step for their writing
Variations & Ideas
- Silent club: Some meetings can be write-only, no sharing.
- Theme nights: Poetry night, memoir night, “write badly on purpose” night.
- Virtual version: Host over video with a shared doc for prompts.