Write On!

Last Thursday a dozen people gathered in the Bethel dining room for a morning of writing and sharing stories. After introductions and brainstorming for ideas, tips for effective story writing were discussed, and story examples examined.

Then people spread out around the church for some writing time. Later they gathered to share their work and provide affirmation and suggestions to each other.

It was great to hear laughter and excited chatter fill the dining room as people took an avid interest in each other’s stories and expressed appreciation for their fellow writers’ work.

Story topics ranged from animal encounters on a camping trip, getting a drivers’ licence, a first date, a family’s new tractor, a lesson in milking a cow, a lost list, churning butter and cowgirls on bicycles.

On their comment sheets participants said they had gained helpful advice about story writing, had learned new things about their fellow Bethel members, and had experienced a fun and enjoyable morning.

Some suggestions participants had for future workshops were poetry writing, ideas for compiling your life story, and sessions with only a few people to facilitate working on deeper editing of written pieces.

If you have ideas for a workshop, contact the Bethel Storyteller at maryloudriedger@gmail.com.