feature story / 39
of participants has steadily 
increased. Perch is the per­
fect venue because Bessey 
and the store manager, 
Mackenzie Troncone, have 
reserved a corner for us 
with outlets for charging 
computers. At the store’s 
café, we can fortify our­
selves with coffee, tea and 
snacks while we write.
Now anywhere from 
four to 10 people meet 
weekly for a concentrated hour of 
writing. Our members are work­
ing on mysteries, sci-fi and fantasy 
novels, technical articles, Substacks, 
children’s fiction and nonfiction, 
adult nonfiction and even board 
games. The group includes published 
and unpublished writers. Autumn 
Wagner, a recent expatriate from 
the Northwest who is also writing 
a novel, claims, “For the first time 
I am able to put the necessary focus 
on completing my novel on a daily 
basis. Shut Up & Write! was the very 
first foundational pier for that.”
For us, a typical Shut Up & Write! 
session begins with participants arriv­
ing around 9:30 a.m., ordering coffee 
or tea and kibitzing awhile. At 9:50 
Wickelgren sets an alarm, and we all 
start writing. An hour later, at 10:50, 
the alarm – the sound of a quacking 
duck – goes off, and people reluctant­
ly stop writing. Everyone takes turns 
briefly describing what they’re work­
ing on. Then we circle back and home 
in on any writing issues or challenges 
we’re having, from character develop­
ment and plot concerns to the best 
software programs for keeping set­
tings and characters straight. 
Peter Bodtke, who is working on 
a screenplay, says Shut Up & Write! 
“gives me a regular place to come, ca­
maraderie, shared resources, and tips, 
tricks, secrets of the masters all re­
vealed.” Any issues pertaining to writ­
ing are on the table, and participants 
eagerly share their writing strug­
gles, breakthroughs and additional 
thoughts about their writing experi­
ence. Says Wickelgren: “I’ve been 
surprised by how helpful the other 
participants have been. I’ve learned 
new ways to track progress, motivate 
myself and organize my novel.”
Participants also suggest sources 
and contacts who could be helpful 
for a writing project or offer insights 
on how to craft the writing. Carl 
Hall is working on a history of white 
supremacy and sometimes feels lost 
in the research. “I came to the group 
because I believed the interaction 
would be helpful to me, to try to get 
a handle on how to write a story.”
In our weekly writing sessions, 
we laugh and commiserate about 
our writing challenges and cheer 
each other on to keep writing. We’ve 
created a little writing community. 
Kwestel happily remarks, “I love the 
intellectual activity that happens 
among this group and just the space 
to write what you need to write and 
say what you need to say. I love be­
ing part of the group.” 
Kathie Reilly, the newest mem­
ber, adds, “This [group] provides me 
discipline to work on a memoir that 
I started years ago and what, I think 
and hope, is low-risk feedback in a 
comfortable, familiar community 
environment.”
As for me, I’ve written four pic­
ture book stories since co-founding 
the group. But I’m still trying to fig­
ure out why the ghost has come back 
in my original story. So, if you’re also 
struggling with an uncooperative 
ghost, other stubborn characters, 
a sticky plot point or simply want 
writing support, join us at Perch on 
Thursday mornings around 9:30 for 
a companionable and productive 
hour of writing. 
Harriet Sigerman has published sever­
al books on American women’s history 
for middle-grade and college-age read­
ers. She wished she had had the benefit 
of a Shut Up & Write! group while she 
was struggling to finish them.
Members of the Shut Up and Write! group are 
working on mysteries, sci-fi and fantasy novels, 
Substacks, nonfiction and even board games.
Your Choice!
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