Finding Your Writing Circle: The Power of Community

"Entre familia todo se resuelve," my abuela would say, gathering everyone around the kitchen table where problems dissolved between bites of tostones and salami. In family, everything gets resolved. This wisdom has guided our Writers Salon since its humble beginnings in 2020, when the pandemic transformed our intimate living room gatherings into virtual embraces.

When the pandemic arrived, like so many families finding new ways to stay connected, we adapted. Our intimate living room gatherings transformed into virtual embraces, and something beautiful happened – our small writing circle blossomed into a true familia. Now, approaching our 5th anniversary next month, I'm reminded of those early days when writers would share how they used to hide their notebooks under mattresses, tuck away their words like secret treasures. I was shocked to learn how many of us had lived double lives – one where we smiled at family gatherings while privately nurturing our literary dreams.

This pattern of hiding our passion for writing revealed something deeper about our community: while our biological families love us, they don't always understand the writer's journey. They might not see the late nights editing, the money invested in workshops, or the emotional toll of rejection letters. When I published my first book, my cousins wanted free copies, not understanding that each gifted book meant one less sale for a struggling writer.