A Writers Group
By Robert (Bob) W. Jones

On December 12, 2013 my life changed for the better. I reached out to friends and colleagues about starting a writers group…
It occurred to me that having a mutually supportive group of aspiring writers could be a good idea to assist me in staying on track.

Platform, by Michael Hyatt, helped get me thinking about writing and sharing my writing. I watched Michael Hyatt’s videos on having my best year ever.

I couldn’t shake the thought that 2014 would be great if I not only achieved my goal of writing, but did it in a community of people who were mutually supportive.

Nine days later five of us met at a Starbucks. There was an energizing excitement about the possibilities and potential of such a group.
Each of us was a fledgling writer. We were equal parts aspiration and angst. A group could provide support, encouragement and some level of accountability for our writing dreams.

We committed to the following:

1. Read and apply the principles of Platform.
2. Start a blog or FB page to publish our writing.
3. Hold a writers group meeting once a month for the rest of the year.
4. Record and share our process weekly.
5. Publish an eBook or print book by the end of 2014.

So how did we do?

ALL of us accomplished the first four goals.
NONE of us achieved the last one.
SOME of us were published for the first time in national magazines.
EACH of us wrote more than we have ever written before.

One thing we gained was seeing quantifiable, meaningful progress. Our writers group still meets once a month. A few writers have left and more have joined. The Original five has grown to fourteen writers in 2017.

Looking back on my personal growth over the year is like watching my grandkids learning to walk:

Clinging to fixed objects for support.
Wobbly first steps.
Lots of falls.
The joy of staying on your feet, unassisted for more than four steps.

In 2017 I’ve committed to the following:

1. To write everyday and post twice a week.
2. To build North Pointe’s blogsite views to 10,000/month.
3. To enlarge my Platform through Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
4. To be published in four national magazines.
5. To finish The Velveteen Pastor.

About this Contributor:

Robert (Bob) W. Jones is a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and his library shelves, with soul food. He has served as a pastor for 36 years and has enjoyed the past 26 years in leadership at North Pointe Community Church in Edmonton, Alberta.
Connect with Bob:
Facebook
Twitter
North Pointe Blog