How an Online Writing Group Rekindled my Passion for Art
The time when I thought that I wasn't going to write again.
A year ago I was in shambles. Yes, in shambles. I couldn’t write a single word and all the love and passion I had put into my book was completely useless. During that time, my job had become so stressful that I couldn’t even function in real life, let alone write. I started to hate the one thing I love more than anything else: writing.
They took the joy out of my job when they positioned me as a support specialist instead of a content writer, so I simply stopped writing. But we’re not here for my work drama. We’re here to read how a community of international writers stood by me and helped me overcome my doubts and stressful moments and ignited my love for writing.
I’m talking about the MWC - the Multilingual Writers’ Community. I have been part of this community even before it was created since I was always in touch with Philip Charter, the community founder and the writing coach we all know and love.
When the community was created, I started taking part actively in the group’s weekly Q&A. Phil usually leads these types of group calls and we chat, share insights, talk about our writing doubts, things that worry us and so on.
Soon the Q&A became a friendly chat where we started sharing our problems, not only with writing and freelancing but also how to tackle our issues at work. Many people that are part of this community listened to me, even when I was overbearing and sharing my worries. I couldn’t break through the writer’s block and I thought I would never be able to write again.
Their support and their sincerity in accepting me and trying their best to advise or help me in my writing journey inspired me to start writing again. This time, not the book but something else entirely that had been in my mind for too long.
Where it all began for me
When I started my writing journey almost six years ago, I started writing short-form content for an international blog set in Belgium. This blog (no longer available), featured artists and their work, which aligned perfectly with my love for art as well. However, different from all the writers and artists writing and posting on that blog, I treated art as a cathartic experience for my own trauma and suffering. Art was comfort for my wounded soul.
There came a moment when my writing pieces were being refused as being too heavy or too painful to read. So I gave up writing there, started a job as a content writer and kept that dream hidden within me.
Cut to 2024, when I finally took the courage to ask my friends on MWC in one of the Q&As if it would be a good idea to share a few of my writings on Medium. The support was immediate. People like Katarzyna Rączka, Jørgen Winther, María Andrea Fernández and more supported me and even encouraged me to give it a try.
They’re also my most loyal readers on Medium, so there’s that. Even when I had my doubts to joke more and take myself less seriously on LinkedIn by releasing my inner joker, they pushed me to go for it. That’s the kind of support people look for nowadays. Especially when you have extreme self-doubt like I do.
So, I did just that. Took their words to heart and put myself out there. I now write about ART with the type of style I like to read, and Medium has turned into the place where my heart bleeds. I write on LinkedIn as well and I’m now building my brand and my online persona. Now, as a freelancer, I can say that without their guidance, support, and unconditional friendship, I wouldn’t be here.
This is a thank-you letter for a community that nurtured my confidence and helped me go out there and be myself, flaws and all.
Thank you!
Flogerta D. Lesi
It has been a joy to follow you this far and I look forward to see all that you will achieve in the future. You have that artistic mind that makes everything you do an inspiration for others.
Every new piece of writing and every piece of art that you have made yourself or carefully picked and described adds value to the reader's life. I'm always looking forward to what you will share next.
You have such a way with words when you write about art - you manage to convey emotion in a visceral and deeply personal way that opens new perspectives on the art you present. I'm very glad the MWC helped you rekindle your love for writing, because the world would be less rich without your articles.