Sharing is Caring - November 2026 Monthly Meeting

Sharing your thoughts, ideas, inspirations, experiences, outlines and drafts is a vitally important, yet under-appreciated element of the creative process.

Too often we find ourselves unable to share not only our words, but our thoughts, our ideas, our emotions with one another; Whether out of fear of judgement, humiliation, shame, or exposure of our innermost selves to the cruel eyes of others who - thru malicious intent or casual thoughtlessness - can wound us so deeply that it drives us away from writing altogether.

And if not out of fear of vulnerability, then we jealously guard our ideas, our concepts, our words out of fear that others will steal them, take them as their own and shove the out into the world with none of the respect nor care they are due; A fear that is all the more prevalent thanks to the recent rise of AI, where the possibility of another shoving your ideas into an LLM that shits out a slopified version of your works is more than real.

And yet if we to are thrive as artists, we cannot let our actions be dictated by fear.

The reason it is so vitally important to share our works is because no single person is a monolith.

Nobody exists entirely independent from others. Humans are social creatures; our very nature is immutably bent towards communion with one another. Nowhere else is this best exemplified save in Language itself.

Language - the foundational tool of the written word - is the fundamental Human means of communication & expression; the very aspect that distinguishes us - Humans - apart from every other living being on this planet. Even for those of us who write only for themselves, who have zero interest in Sharing what they create, the tool of their artistic expression - Language - only exists because we evolved it as a tool to communicate complex, abstract thoughts, ideas, and stories to others. Language is inherently rooted in Sharing with others.

And by Sharing our thoughts, our ideas, our words with one another, we can discover new thoughts, new ideas, new words that we may never have come across on our own. When we shelter our words away from the world, we limit their potential for change, for growth, and for meaning. Sheltering our thoughts, our ideas, our words from others because of the pain of cruel criticism & shallow misinterpretations, or a sense of possessive personal attachment to our thoughts, ideas, and words, is to limit ourselves out of fear.

However Sharing requires trust.

Writing is inherently a deeply personal & self-reflective exercise, and sharing anything that resonates with you personally requires opening yourself up to people - exposing yourself, allowing yourself to be vulnerable - and that requires trust. It is our responsibility as fellow artists & audience to respect that trust and cultivate an environment in which that trust can grow & thrive.

Luckily, the Foothills Writers' Group is here to help.

The primary goal of this meeting is to practice sharing with one another & cultivating a safe space in which everyone feels comfortable Sharing. In that spirit, we encourage everyone to bring something to Share with your fellow artists to the meeting on Nov. 19th.

While we encourage & welcome anyone who wishes to share something they have made with us, it is not a necessity. You can bring anything that you want; be it a book, a poem, a piece of art, a song, or a really cool rock, all offerings are welcome! All we ask is that you Share something that has meaning & value to you; something that inspires you, something that resonates with you, something that speaks to you.

Additionally, there will be no feedback or criticism given unless you explicitly ask to receive it, and we will set clear guidelines & expectations for giving & receiving input on your thoughts, ideas, and words.

We are here to build each other up, not tear each other down - that includes practicing in giving encouragement & cultivating a supportive environment rooted in encouragement & positivity.

Our upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled for Nov. 19th @ the Okotoks Public Library in the Main Floor Program Room from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Pens, paper, and light snacks will be provided!