For the past year and a half, I have joined other writers at The Writing Room which is held at Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts. Every Wednesday and Saturday morning from 9:30- 12:30, writers of all types – novelists, poets, memoir writers, essayists, journalists, translators, performance artists and more -join Forbes Writer In Residence Susan Stinson for companionable writing time. We start writing promptly at 9:30 and write until 11:45. During this time, people come and go as they wish. At 11:45, we stop and, those who wish to, share with the group how their writing went. In addition, during this time, announcements are made about events to be held regarding our writing life. At 12:00 noon, writers are offered the option of sharing a sample of their writing – up to 5 minutes of reading each. Our time together ends promptly at 12:30.
I adore and cherish this time… and have adjusted my schedule to enable my attendance at both the Wednesday and Saturday sessions. Some writers leave the room and branch out into other parts of the library to write – on a nice day, they might choose to write outside. I remain at the table. For me, it is very helpful to be in a small room, sitting at a table surrounded by other people writing. It is during this time, that I have written most of the first draft of the book I am writing about the healing power of the human-canine bond as seen through visits with my therapy dogs. This time is sacred to me… peaceful and meditative.
In celebration of this past year together in The Writing Room, we will share our work with the community. Readings from the Writing Room will be held in the Coolidge Museum at Forbes Library in Northampton on June 13, 2012, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. . Each reader will share a 3 minute reading. I plan to read a piece on James’ visits with a hospice patient.
Join us to hear the following writers:
Katie Arroyo
Sally Bellerose
Jaya Devi
Kathryn Good-Schiff
Jamila Gore
Bill Gural
Cynthia Hinckley
Grace LeClair
Rick McNeil
Kristi Mientka
Naila Moreira
Mary Nelen
Megan Nolan
Mistinguette Smith
Jill Turner
Susan Stinson
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