‘The Write Stuff’ builds community one word at a time
Published on February 23, 2026
Writing is just part of what makes The Write Stuff special.
The library activity brings lovers of words together, where they put pens to paper and craft short, free-flowing narratives. Those who wish to share can do so in a judgment-free zone. The group meets twice at month at the Ridglea Branch library, nestled in a nook filled with large-print books.
From the outside, the group looks and functions as a gathering of friends. Before the hourlong session begins, one regular attendee has already distributed boxes of tea bags she brought from home as well as fulfilled a promise to share homemade cheesecake.
Library Assistant Patricia Everett guides the sessions, kicking them off with a writing tip or quote from a famous author. At one recent session, Everett highlighted the Udemy database that’s available to library cardholders and features free training courses on several writing genres.
Ready, set write
Everett provides writing prompts to prime the writers’ creative juices, giving them a few minutes to expound on each topic. The day’s prompts were “soup” and “behind the wheel.” The third was to craft a senryu poem (similar in structure to haiku) about “love.”
The ultimate goal is simply to write. “This is not a class,” Everett said. “I’m not grading you.”
Most of the group opted to share what they had written after each prompt. When a story was shared, the group listened intently and provided support and encouragement.
Tim Runkle has been part of The Write Stuff group since it started at Ridglea.
“I write in a journal every day,” he said. “When I travel, which I do quite a bit, I force myself to write 1,000 words a day about what I’ve seen.” His journal is private, though, he said, so the group allows him to write and share with others.
Finding the right words
Cathy Hill said that reading, writing and talking are difficult for her after having suffered a stroke. However, the insightful and succinct writing she shares with the group – sometimes a few simple words - resonates with everyone else. “I like it here,” she said. “These people are helping me here.”
Everett said she enjoys journaling and the writing group provides an outlet. “I enjoy it, but sometimes it’s hard to find the time or energy,” she said. “Seeing others – maybe you need just a little spark.”
Many of the attendees are regulars, and they’ve gotten to know each other in meaningful ways.
“We have laughed and cried,” Everett said. “People don’t have to share. Sharing is vulnerable and sacred, but I wanted to create a safe program and a safe space for that. I just love hearing everyone’s voices.”
Making new friends
She is very pleased with how the group has grown – they have needed a third table to accommodate participants. “This is a comfortable, safe space.”
Linda Wells is newer to the group, but the group easily absorbs newcomers.
“I don’t know these people,” she said. ‘But you do bond with people, even if they just open that window a little bit – you see a small sketch of their lives, it’s so powerful. It’s such a great group.”
The Fort Worth Public Library offers a variety of regular programs and activities that foster a genuine sense of community. Find one here.