RWC co-founder, Cindy Etherton, on the power of learning from each other

“It’s the collective wisdom of the community that makes the learning useful.”

Cinder Etherton, novelist, memoirist and co-founder of Real Writers Circle describes how interacting with other writers strengthens her writing.

Q. Where are you on your writing journey and what are you currently writing?

I’ve learnt so much in the last three years thanks to Real Writers Circle and my writer colleagues, so these days I don’t have to worry so much about how, and focus instead on what and why.

What I write is crime-centred love stories, both non-fiction and fiction, which explore the quirks and incongruities in human behaviour. I’m at the final stages of proof-reading my memoir Don’t Call This Fiction, and am on track to self-publish in July. I’m finishing the last developmental edits for a novel and have two ideas for future books I have first chapters for.

Q. You are a memoirist, novelist and co-founder of RWC. What does writing mean to you?

Writing is a large part of my life, and it occupies a great deal of my inner and outer world. It calls upon every aspect of my skills and interests from the inspiration/vital spark to the research (so interesting) and the focus required to write and get work ready for a reader. It is all consuming and it’s the place where I achieve the greatest sense of flow. Privately, I often keep it to myself, it’s the thing I always want to do more of. It has also connected me to a diverse and fascinating community, which is incredibly rewarding.

Q. As a host of RWC, what's your favourite part of the evening?

It’s the magic mix. The combination of a guest speaker and attendees sparks a remarkable degree of creativity. Sometimes, and this is real, I get the most electrifying enjoyment from something someone has read or said. Like at the Edinburgh Fringe, when you’ve just witnessed or been part of a unique flash of creative genius, only instead of annually, it’s every month. 

Q. If you could pinpoint one thing you've learned from facilitating RWC events, what would it be?

I have coached many teams on effectiveness and developing listening skills. In that context, a target to aim for would be 50 percent-plus attention to what other people are saying. In RWC meetings no one interrupts, everybody listens avidly and those who speak are totally heard. We achieve very close to 100 percent attentive listening. I’ve learnt what’s required with a sizable group to achieve two hours of attentive listening and advanced learning.

Q. Why do writers need the company of other writers?

For influence, inspiration, insight and endless tips. Knowing isn’t doing, by which I mean we can learn what needs to be done – for example show don’t tell – but it’s the collective wisdom of the community that makes the learning useful and gets it on the page. Also, there’s a warmth and encouragement vibe that keeps you going through the ups and downs and a great joy in celebrating success in all its forms. Socialised learning achieves the most and having a network means we can be adaptive when it matters most. As I tell my friends, I love the company of writers.