How Joining a Choir Made me a Better Writer (Seriously)

When I joined my local women’s choir in September 2023, I didn't expect The Merry Poppins (yes, that’s our real name and yes, we do sing a lot of Disney songs), to change my writing life. 

I thought I was signing up for weekly harmonies and maybe a concert or two, but I was actually enrolling in creativity-boosting, writer’s block-busting bootcamp that has now become a huge part of my life!

Every Thursday evening, we gather in a room to warm up with tongue rolls and bizarre scales, and then proceed to blast our growing repertoire out so loudly that passersby on the street stop and look at us through the windows like we're weirdos.

And my brain... which has usually spent the day either battling deadline demons or scolding myself for not writing enough...suddenly… takes a break.

The overthinking switches off. My inner critic goes to the naughty corner. There is no place for that when I'm singing. Especially in a group. It's like meditation for me, only with matching shirts and way more laughs.

Meeting my tribe of fellow musical fans and belting out tunes with them has been total fuel for the imagination, too. I only wish I joined a choir sooner.

Singing taps into emotions in ways words can’t, you know? It just reaches deep. Then it gives those feelings back to you when you're ready to channel them and pour them onto the page.

There's also something about standing shoulder to shoulder with other women and belting your heart out, that makes you as brave on the page as you are on stage. Louder. More in tune with your truth (see what I did there?).

Writing is known for being a bit of a solo sport, but lemme tell you, singing in a choir is where the magic brews. It's like charging your creative battery to 100%... with sound. Even if you're not a writer, it's a great way to switch off and reset. Try it. Worst case, you hit a dud note or three (and trust me, it definitely happens, usually when we're in front of an audience).

Best case, you find your next plot twist somewhere between a B-flat and a belly laugh with a bunch of new friends.