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By Julia Lovett-Squires

Writing Group

Writers group host inaugural May 2 at Meadow Lake Library

May 1, 2024 | 3:17 PM

Wordsmiths in Meadow Lake are getting another chance to dig out their pens, paper, quills and typewriters as a new writer’s group is about to host its inaugural meeting at the library.

“I felt that it did help myself as a writer,” said Organizer Donovan Thiesson of his time in other groups in Saskatoon.

“I was hoping to see if that kind of community could be established here as well.”

The group will officially begin its foray into the art of the pen this Thursday and it is open to all. According to Tawn Marshall, programming clerk with Meadow Lake Library, there were writing groups at the library before over the years but those disbanded for various reasons. She explained when Thiesson first enquired about the opportunity, they were facing a dilemma as to how to move forward.

“None of the staff that are here regularly are writers,” said Tawn Marshall.

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“For us to…lead a writing group was a little complicated, so we thought a community writing group is perfect,” she added.

Thiesson, who writes in the horror and fantasy genres and is about to have a short story published, said each group is different.

“There is some where you go there where people just write and it’s a way for them to get out and actually set aside time to write,” he said, noting others focus on reading others’ work and provide feedback.

“I was hoping to do a hybrid of the two because we have two hours.”

The point he explained was to try and help the logophiles become better at their craft.

“Everybody’s going to have a different goal that they want to reach with their writing.”

To help get attention that the group was starting up, Marshall said a Facebook messenger chat was started to gauge interest.

“There are, I don’t know, half a dozen to a dozen people who are interested.”

There are three sessions scheduled for the group to meet, and Marshall noted that groups generally take a summer break. However, since this is a community group, it’ll be up to them how they run it.

“Anyone who has tried to do some writing knows that simply finding time to sit down and commit to doing it is sometimes half the challenge,” she said.

Meanwhile, Thiesson said his experience in other writing groups has proved a useful experiencne.

“What it has done more than anything is it’s given me somewhat of a deadline, which I think is something that people like myself need,” he said of the process in between group meetings.

“What it also helps is sometimes, I find when you read your own stuff, you’re so in love with it that you don’t see inherent problems.”

Currently, the members on the chat space, have a wide range of reasons for wanting to take part. Some want feedback on poetry, some want a place to work, and others are looking for feedback on a proposed outline for a novel.

In the meantime, Thiesson is looking to see how the first meeting will go.

“I’m hoping to read other people’s works and just see what’s happening in Meadow Lake…what people are coming up with,” he said.

The group will meet from 7 to 9 p.m beginning this Thursday, (May 2) and writers are welcome to drop in to the library. For more information, reach out to Thiesson on Facebook or the Meadow Lake Library.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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