A Weekly Outing: Shut Up & Write! in Doorn

By Frank, Doorn Shut Up & Write! Organizer

In the Netherlands, Shut Up & Write! Doorn is the only group that is located in a small town; all the other groups take place in large cities like Amsterdam. We meet in a pleasant library canteen for our events and afterwards often head to Spott, an old, creaking mansion that has been turned into a café.

By now, we have a thriving group of about twenty writers. In practice, about seven people show up each week, which is the perfect size for everyone to connect as a group and still have their say. Alongside friends from the community, it’s not unusual for people to spontaneously join the group after spotting us in the café. I always try to make the new people feel welcome and keep the connection going, and it works!

The group has a fascinating mix of creatives: our youngest attendee, 20, writes scenes for the stage, while our oldest participant, 80, writes stories about her eventful life. The group of regulars is also made up of a Dutch poet, a journalist, a science writer, a satirical columnist, a yoga teacher, a comedian, and a fantasy writer, whose work you can always count on to feature at least one dragon.

One of the nicest parts of the event is the get-together afterwards. That’s when we really let loose! When first starting the Shut Up & Write! group last December, I made a deal with myself to try running the group for a year. We’re over halfway now, and I find myself wanting more time…