I just learned about the concept of Literary Citizenship. It was featured in a webinar for aspiring authors-to-be-published-hopefully, like me. This is about supporting anything related to writing or literature. Attending library events, responding to social media posts by authors, writing a review on Amazon or GoodReads, sharing with someone how their writing impacted you.

It’s a nice idea that we can expand to other areas we care about. Usually with citizenship, we think about civic actions like voting or attending a local meeting. I’m pretty generous with definitions, so I would add volunteering and doing anything to improve your community.

What about Educational Citizenship? Where we take classes to improve something in ourselves, or we offer a class where we have expertise. What else can you think of–Recreational Citizenship? Neighborhood, Religious, Environmental?

While we might think about how we benefit, it’s more than that. Citizenship implies relationship and participation. Some one or thing is benefiting from your presence and contribution. In McCall when I attend a meeting or class, someone is usually pretty grateful. My presence gets counted, and I might contribute a worthy idea. Showing up matters.

Now, the wisdom goes that we show up in the arenas we want to cultivate or participate in. I’ve done this plenty, and imagine you have too. It usually has me appreciate the freedom and agency where I get to participate in the opportunities a civil, democratic society gives me. Citizenship.

For Literary Citizenship, can you imagine that I’m excited or energized? Nope, and this is where I’m struggling. The invitation is intimidating enough to have me drifting all over the field of other things I can do instead of what I really want to do. In other words, hiding out, avoiding, giving in to nefarious versions of Imposter Syndrome.

The invitation to Citizenship, whatever kind, is about growing up and getting through that playing small stuff. I think for society to work at its best, we have some responsibility to contribute in positive ways, to show up for things that matter, to make an effort when we care. I’ve observed how time spent at home in the pandemic shifted this in many of us. I’ve observed myself wanting to stay home and give energy to quiet things.

I’m wondering how we can build, maintain, and support a clear and engaged kind of participation in what we care about. Build it in ourselves and with each other. To publish a book, I have to reveal myself and connect with others–in authentic and real ways, not because I need it.

Because that still feels unclear, I’m sure to be awkward at first. Oh well, So What. Time (yet again) to get over wanting to be perfect, right, smart, or whatever. Maybe that’s one of the best things about getting to be a citizen.