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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

—Mahatma Gandi

Volunteering at Larksong Writers Place has shaped not only my writing life but also who I am as a community member. Here are five ways it’s changed me—and how it might change you, too. 

1. Volunteering helped me become a good literary citizen. What is literary citizenship, you ask? To me, it’s a call to action, it’s showing up for others—from the pre-published author to those who have been published before. It’s helping writers of all ages and stages find the community and support they need. It’s about creating a safe place and a nurturing environment where you can be surrounded by likeminded people who share the same passion for the written word. 

2. I’ve gained skills that will transfer beyond volunteer work. Through my work at Larksong, I’ve gained experience in community outreach, marketing, event planning, and project management. These are valuable for almost any career, making me more adaptable and confident as I face the professional world. 

3. I’ve invested in my future. Larksong isn’t only a place, it’s a network. The writers and colleagues I’ve met here will remain part of my professional and creative circle for years to come. The way I see it, every hour I volunteer is also an investment in my own future. 

4. I’m learning that small actions have big impacts. It may just look like a list of tasks completed at the end of the workday, but the truth is I’m keeping the community I have come to love alive and thriving. I’ve learned that even the smallest act of service can have a huge impact on others and the community as a whole. 

5. I’ve found that writing doesn’t have to be lonely. Being a writer can be isolating, but through Larksong, I’ve found peers who understand the highs and lows of the writing life. Knowing I’m not alone makes all the difference. 

Ready to change your life too?

You don’t need to be a prolific writer or to have a degree to make an impact on the literary community. Larksong could use someone like YOU!

Here are some volunteer ideas to get you started:

Events: Offer to help set up or take down equipment.

Skills: Offer your special skills or services such as marketing, editing, graphic design, grant writing, organizing (or people skills if you’re an outgoing extrovert!).

Connections: Use your connections to help support the Larksong mission by helping us network with other businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community officials. 

If you’d like more information on how you can volunteer at Larksong Writers Place, hover your mouse over the support button at the top of the page then click the “volunteer” options in the drop-down menu. This will take you to a page with instructions and a form to fill out. It’s that easy!

This is the first in a series of blogs by Larksong member and volunteer Brandi Shaffer:

My Story:

Hi! I’m Brandi, a current creative writing MFA student at Southern New Hampshire University. I’m also an intern and volunteer for Larksong Writers Place. In the next few blog posts I want to share a little about my experience with becoming a member of Larksong, about the value of volunteering and how writing groups can help writers develop their craft and build a supportive community. I hope this series helps you find your people, identify your mission, and develop a plan for your writing life.

How I Got Involved:

I can’t say that I was excited at the idea of reaching out to Larksong for the first time. I’m a writer with anxiety who was content in the cozy little world I’d created for myself surrounded by hundreds of books, papers and pens, and my laptop.

But then my MFA professor suggested I reach out to my local writing community and get involved to see what they had to offer. The idea of doing that was terrifying. I was perfectly fine where I was at. Then came an essay assignment that “highly encouraged” it, and I wanted that “A” badly. So, I begrudgingly made my first phone call to Larksong to interview the director at Larksong Writers Place. I was completely taken aback by how that call went. Karen Shoemaker showed me the kindness and patience I needed in that moment. She understood my anxiety and had me relaxed and laughing in no time. She explained everything that Larksong was about, and by the end of our call, I knew what it was that I wanted to be when I grew up—I wanted to be the kind of person who picks up the phone when the nervous writer calls, reassures them, and guides them on the right path that will help them grow as a writer and as a person. I want to help spread the joy of the written word to those who need it most, to uplift other writers, and to help people share their stories. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself—to be part of Larksong.

I became a member shortly after that first call and have since used my newfound passion and direction to put myself “out there” and become more involved in making a difference in our community

Final Thoughts:

So, there you have it, that’s the story of how I became a member of Larksong Writers Place. And before I move on, I want to add that I'm glad I did--and I did get an “A” on my essay! A huge thank you to Karen for her help with that!

Now it’s time for me to get back to my grueling assignments so I can finish up this degree and have more time to support my literary community. See you at Larksong!