WAYNE COUNTY, N.C. — Poetry enthusiasts will come together this Wednesday for a virtual collaborative writing experience hosted by FreeleSpoken through the Poetry for Your Soul platform. The one-hour event is scheduled for July 30 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM EDT online, and will focus on the theme of “CheckMate.”
Interactive Format Encourages Group Participation
The virtual open write session is designed to foster creativity through structured collaboration. Participants will begin with a five-minute open discussion to explore the evening’s theme before moving into group writing activities.
During the collaborative portion, attendees will have approximately five minutes to compose no more than five lines inspired by either the group conversation or a theme-related stanza provided by the host. The organizers recommend that participants reflect on the “CheckMate” theme beforehand and consider preparing a few lines or short stanza in advance.
Breakout Rooms Enable Deeper Creative Connections
Following the initial group collaboration, participants will be divided into pairs using breakout rooms for approximately 20 minutes of focused creative partnership. The format allows poets flexibility in how they choose to collaborate during this dedicated time.
After the breakout sessions, pairs will have the opportunity to return to the main room and perform their collaborative works if they choose. Additionally, participants may opt to showcase their collaborations at future Open Mic events by notifying the organizer.
Community Building Beyond the Event
The session emphasizes authentic expression over polished performance, encouraging participants to attend as they are without pressure for perfection. For those who form meaningful creative connections during the event, collaboration opportunities extend beyond the scheduled session time.
Participants who wish to continue working together after the event are welcome to reconnect and potentially bring their shared creative works to future Open Mic performances. The organizer requests notification of such ongoing collaborations to ensure proper accommodation at future events.
Participation and Community Access
The event is offered free of charge, though participants must secure a spot through the registration process. New attendees are asked to turn on their cameras when first joining to confirm their presence, after which camera use becomes optional.
The Poetry for Your Soul community maintains additional engagement opportunities through a Substack subscription service, which provides weekly poem features and community updates. MeetUp group membership is also available for those seeking ongoing connection with the poetry community and access to future event notifications.
Technical Requirements and Accessibility
The virtual format makes the event accessible to poetry enthusiasts regardless of geographic location. Participants need only an internet connection and device capable of video conferencing to join the collaborative writing experience.
The event represents part of a broader effort to maintain creative community connections in virtual spaces, allowing poets to share their craft and develop new creative partnerships through structured online interaction.
