Interview with WH,WN Admin M.B Feeney

Our Write Here, Write Now Community Spotlight continues for another week, and today we have an interview from WH,WN admin M.B. Feeney.

1. What inspired you to get involved with this writing community, and what keeps you passionate about it?

I felt like I needed to be surrounded by other writers who, like me, don’t have all the answers
all the time. Then, when I joined, I found it to be so much more. It truly is a community full of
people who want to help and support everyone.

2. How would you describe the mission or heartbeat of this community to someone
who’s never heard of it?

Support.

Honestly, the strongest thing about the community is how happy everyone is for everyone
else. We celebrate wins, support through the hard times, and lift one another up.

3. What aspect of the community do you think makes it unique or especially
supportive for writers?

The feeling of family. We know about one another’s kids, pets, and more. And we help one
another when going through any kind of hardships.

I often disappear for a few days because Real Life gets in the way, but I’m never judged for
it, instead, I’m welcomed back as if I’ve been out shopping for a few hours.

4. Can you share a memorable moment or success story that happened because of
the community?

Probably the two anthologies. Not only did we manage to raise money for charity with After
the Rain, but with both, we got to the top of category charts with both. To some, it may be a
small achievement that is played down, but for us it was huge. Especially as both After the
Rain and Step into Christmas was the first times some members had dipped their toes into
publishing.

5. What role do you personally play as an admin, and how has it shaped your own
writing journey?

I often feel like I don’t contribute much as I’m so busy away from the community, and
sometimes feel guilty for not being able to do more to help out. However, the sprints I run
give me the opportunity to shout about people, whether 1 or 12 people are able to attend.
I like to think it enables me to stop being so insular when it comes to writing. Anyone who
does it knows how lonely it can be, sitting at home with just a laptop and an internet connection.
But these sprints (and the other events) really do give us the opportunity to come together. I
like to think I help a little with that.

6. How do events like writing sprints or accountability sessions support members’
creativity and consistency?

As I mentioned above, it gives us all the opportunity to interact with others who know how
we’re feeling. No one is forced to crank out thousands of words. If someone’s having a slow
word day, even 100 words on a page is celebrated. And I feel that helps boost someone,
especially confidence-wise.

7. What’s something behind the scenes that people might not realise goes into running or supporting this community?

The way Karen asks for opinions and ideas. It’s her baby, her creation, but she really does
appreciate outside input. Which can be hard to take when you’ve created something like
WHWN.

8. What are some of the biggest challenges you've encountered in building or maintaining the community, and how have you overcome them?

Uhm… Negativity is natural, especially when we approach our own work. Everyone is their
own harshest critic, but I think having these amazing people around me is helping me
combat that outlook. Even if I’m still a work in progress.

9. How has being part of this community impacted your own writing or personal
growth?
As above, targeting my own negativity and turning it into a personal teaching moment.

10. What hopes or visions do you have for the future of the community?
For it to continue to grow and help people without getting overwhelmed. The last thing it
needs, or wants, is to be washed out and become like every other writing group where the
same things are posted/asked.

WHWN is like the personal touch that makes someone, me usually, stop and think about
how I approach my writing and author career, even if it isn’t paying my bills.