This space is set up as a workshop, not a content dump. Two courses—Let Us Begin and Trivium et Quadrivium—are open to everyone. They lay the groundwork and give us shared language so we’re not talking past each other. Other courses unlock as you level up. The First Edits course opens at Level 3, and more courses will unlock at higher levels over time. That pacing is intentional. The work here builds on itself, and it only works if people move through it in order. Take your time. There’s no rush to “get through” anything. Engagement, Levels, and Feedback You level up by showing up. That means reading other people’s work, reacting when something actually lands, and leaving comments that help someone see their writing more clearly. Liking posts counts. Thoughtful comments count more. Please skip low-effort replies like “I like this” or “This was good.” They don’t help the writer and they don’t help you. If something worked, say why. If something didn’t land, say where. You don’t need to be harsh, but you do need to be specific. This isn’t a place for spam or drive-by encouragement. It’s a place for careful reading and honest response. If giving feedback feels a little uncomfortable, that’s normal. Learning to name what you’re seeing—clearly and kindly—is part of the work.

When I was learning to write, I had a mentor who was firm but fair. She said to me, many times and in different ways, when I turned in work that wasn’t my best, “This doesn’t work yet. If you want praise, you’ll get it elsewhere. If you want craft, stay.” Under her mentorship, I learned the importance of consistency, deep thought, grammar, punctuation, and self discipline. This is the spirit in which this group was started. So, I’ll state it again, so there’s no ambiguity: If you’re seeking praise, look elsewhere. If you want craft, stay.

Rick from the show, Rick and Morty, a controversial mad scientist, said to a crowd once, “Your boos mean nothing. I’ve seen what makes you cheer!” How can this sentiment be applied to your writing?

In my experience, there’s a difference between having written something, and being someone in the practice of writing new things. Here’s what I mean: My last assignment in the Air Force was at a training squadron and I wrote text books for Air Force training programs. I was so proud when I got to my new office and there was already a sign on the door that read, “MSgt Helgerson. Author”. I wrote like a madman for four years straight and finished seven full text books. After that, I stopped writing for a while. Then I went to school and finished my writing degree and wrote like a madman for two years straight. After that, I stopped writing for a while. Today, now that I’ve decided to lean into my nature as a writer, I write nearly every day. There’s no mission or materials to write. There’s no degree to earn. But there are words that need to be written - thoughts that wish to be born. So, tell me what you think. Is a writer someone who has written things, or is a writer someone who writes? Here’s a bonus question: what’s the difference between a writer and an author? I’m not asking for a dictionary definition, but how you really perceive that distinction.

If you’re a writer, you probably sense—or are already part of—the tsunami of AI-generated writing coming our way. If you’re like me, you’ve probably asked, “How can I stand out in this massive crowd of books?” The answer is simple: quality. People will always want well-written books that are clearly thought out and deliver a clear message. Yes, AI can do that—mostly. But it will always lack the human touch. This is what we do in The Wordsmiths’ Guild. We practice the craft of writing well. Whether that means essays, short stories, novels, how-to books, poems, songs, or something else entirely, our aim is to help you rise above the wave. Welcome. Thank you for joining us. Please introduce yourself. Tell us where you’re from, what you write, where you are on your writing journey, and what you’d like to bring to—or receive from—the group.