I had a chance to go to the Medium Writers’ Circle on January 19, 2026, and it was a life-changing experience for me. What started as an invitation turned into an evening of depth, conversation and coming together to discover the writer in us.

Having written both as a means of escaping and rebelling against the world since I was a child, when I stepped into a room filled with other writers, I knew I was stepping into a space where language was something that was lived rather than just used.

The conversations were deep and meaningful; a reflection of how different writing styles and nuances provide insight into our experiences. Each writer brought their own unique rhythm. Some, through style and choice of words, were very precise and cut through their ideas one layer at a time. Others, by style and choice of words, created prose that flowed like a memory (nonlinear, emotional and immersive). The most significant thing for me was not the range of genres of writing but rather the range of perspectives represented. There were essays that were rooted in personal loss, essays about socio-political commentary that had been shaped through personal experience, poetry that blurred the line between vulnerability and strength, and reflective pieces that turned mundane events into universal truths. 

A major takeaway from the experience that day was the importance of authenticity in our voices. In a digital world that often rewards virality rather than vulnerability, it was so nice to see writers choosing to be sincere rather than showy. The Medium Writers Circle was about the craft, about why we write before we start to think about who reads.

I learned that great writing does not come from trying to sound smart. Great writing comes from being honest. When the writers shared their journeys, they all had similar stories about not having success overnight, but having persistence! Many talked about how some of their drafts were not successful, and not how some of their stories did not resonate, and how they went through dry parts of their creativity. But they kept on writing. Consistently doing this built their voices.

One insight that impressed me greatly was the concept of discipline as commitment. Writing is frequently thought of as an explosion of imagination or a 3 a.m. flash of genius written out in frantic typing.

However, what I learned through the Circle was that writing also involves an organised way of doing it, based on systematic revisions as well as repeated iterations of a single piece of work. It involves having the capacity to remove an outstanding paragraph from your manuscript for the remaining material to flow well. It also requires a willingness to accept constructive criticism without question, so that you do not lose your true self as a writer. Crafting one's work is accomplished through being flexible enough to revise.

Hearing the other members of the Circle describe their own creative writing processes opened time for me to evaluate mine. For example, I learned that I tend to use my emotions when I write, but sometimes I am too fearful to try new ways of how I create my work. 

Some of the Circle participants talked about combining narrative style with research, mixing poetry with prose, and writing memoirs mixed in with their own opinions on the subject matter. They caused me to recall that writing is not a set form of categorised items but rather something that continues to develop, merge and reinvent itself during its creation.

Generosity was another thing that stood out from the conversations taking place in the writer’s circle on Medium. There was no competition, no quiet hierarchy in terms of who created the “best” work, only curiosity. Writers asked about one another’s intent, word choice, and emotional arcs, this collaborative spirit of growth shifted my perspective. It removed the quiet anxiety I held that writing circles had to be intimidating to be taken seriously and replaced it with a belief in how supportive community can help us all develop creative courage.

The Medium Writer's Circle also reaffirmed my belief that writing creates connections. At one point during our time together, when someone read a piece about their experience with loss, the entire circle became silent, not through obligation or any other reason, but rather through shared recognition of that person's experience. 

When another person read about reclaiming their identity, there were multiple people in the circle who nodded in solidarity. The stories being told by each writer in the circle became bridges between writers with similar experiences. Through the experience of sharing and listening to one another, the stories of each writer expanded and grew into a shared understanding of the broader cultural experience of the group.

I walked away from the gathering with more than inspiration; I walked away with intention. I intend to be more intentional with my writing, and I intend to critique each metaphor, transition, and silence. I intend to explore different forms of expression while maintaining emotional authenticity. I intend to participate in writing spaces with active engagement as a contributor and as a listener. But more importantly, I want to create a space for joy in my writing free from performance pressure.

The Medium Writers Circle on January 19, 2026, was not just another item on my calendar - it was a reminder of why I started writing at all. In a world filled with too much information, the Medium Writers Circle was an opportunity to celebrate the craft of writing. At a time when everything seems to be hurried, the Medium Writers Circle shared a depth of thought and expression in writing. It also showed me that, even though writing can be a solitary profession, there is a place for writers to build community.

Writing is a way for people to express themselves and to understand themselves and others. The Medium Writers Circle created an environment where words were given enough time to flow freely, voices were valued equally, and being true to oneself as an author was a requirement rather than an option.

I am thankful and inspired to go back to the blank page with new confidence and clarity.

-Hridya Sharma 

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