Last evening I had the opportunity to speak to a group of writers in Drayton, Ontario, an evening I’ve been looking forward to since early August.

Writers Unite meets  once a month in an art studio called Studio Factor on Wood Street in the village of Drayton. Writers gathered around a large table, with the organizer, Glynis M. Belec, leading the meeting. It was a cheerful place with children’s and adult’s art work on the walls around us. I imagine it as an enjoyable place to draw, paint, or whatever the session is about.

The evening began with prayer, because, of course, this is a predominantly Christian group. They introduced themselves and told us about projects they’ve been working on and successes or challenges they’d taken on, such as submitting a first devotional. Individually, they write stories, articles, poetry, fantasy or plays. Heather had started blogging again and shared an entry of the day with us. Another member, Caroline Sealey, had written an article for Rural Route about the upcoming launch (October 19th) for Glynis’ children’s chapter book, Mrs. B Has Cancer. Copies of that magazine were available and I’m pleased to have a copy as well. They talked about possibilities for stories to be submitted to Chicken Soup. Andy’s response to Chicken Soup, “Do we graduate to Turkey Soup?”

Topics I spokes on included what I do as an editor, the kind of work I’ve done, my training and how I got started. A topic of particular interest to this group was how critiquing can work in a writer’s group, and how they can help each other improve their work. Finally, I addressed the need our work to be edited (since I’m a writer too). Writers asked excellent questions and there was good discussion around the table at this interactive session.

I know that I enjoyed the evening, and it was apparent the members did too. The drive home, in less foggy conditions, was filled with thoughts from the evening and classical music from my radio.

Words I left with them at the end:

Read as much as you can, and especially of  the kind of writing you want to do

Go out and live, for then you will have things to write about

Write what you’re most passionate about. That energy will come through in your writing.

Photo, courtesy of Glynis Belec

“You must write every single day of your life… You must lurk in libraries and climb the stacks like ladders to sniff books like perfumes and wear books like hats upon your crazy heads… may you be in love every day for the next 20,000 days. And out of that love, remake a world.”
― Ray Bradbury