The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Pen to paper
Writing group thrives at Silver Maples
By Sheila Pursglove, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
A Thursday afternoon Writers' Group at Silver Maples of Chelsea provides an outlet for residents who enjoy creative writing and sharing it with one another.
Advertisement
The group is the brainchild of resident Sarah Taggert.
"I assumed that in a community full of brainy people there were bound to be some closet-writers," she says. "And my basic pitch was 'If not you, who? And if not now, when?' And I've repeated many times that it's a shame when someone's wonderful memories and ideas go to the grave with them."
Taggert first thought about starting a writers' group at Silver Maples two years ago, based on her experiences with a successful group in Glen Arbor, where she a summer home.
"That group has existed for six years," Taggert says. "We published a terrific anthology of our writings two years ago, which we called 'The Writers Table.' That little book is available in our library here, and I do recommend it.
"Every now and then I reread it and am again impressed by what terrific writers we are."
Taggert stresses it's an informal sharing forum, not a class, and that she is there as a participant, not an expert.
"We operate with what a mentor of mine refers to as an empty bowl," she says. "Anything at all can go into that bowl, and it interests me that memoirs are not the primary contents."
Taggert jokes that she gets a reputation as a nag as she pushes people to think of putting their work into a permanent form.
The group does not critique work, except to point up the central ideas in anyone's writing, she says. "For a long time members tended to begin their sharing with the phrase, 'This probably isn't very good.' Now, when that happens, there is a chorus of 'don't apologize.'"
"These are phenomenally intellectual people, so we learn from each other."
The variety of the group is astonishing, Taggert says. She is pleased that half the group members are men, since many similar groups only attract women, she says.
"You can't just arrange a group like this, it happens by chance — to get chemistry," she says. "We're different from each other. We all have something different to say, and everyone has something interesting to offer.
"Our conversations become very freewheeling with the writing sometimes serving as the springboard."
Joe Eisely, a retired University of Michigan Aerospace professor, enjoys the interesting discussions that follow the readings - "Because they stimulate memories," he says.
Kamala Martin is new to the group
"I like sharing what I write, whatever caliber it is," she says. "I like to hear what others have to say. It's a very together group."
Gordon Hansen appreciates the subtle encouragement to write.
"It's usually something that's easy to put off," he says. "Many of us have lost good friends through death or separation. We're seeking new friendships and those who write reveal their real selves by their choice of what they write and how they express themselves.
"It's an opportunity to bond and make friends. You get to know people on a different level than other social activities."
It's not a class with rules or criticism — more of a meeting of friends who have got to know each other through their weekly offerings, says Lauralee Lutz, one of the original members. "Sometimes a remark or bit of writing triggers an interesting general discussion."
Glenn Paulsen, an architect and artist and former president of the Cranbrook Art Academy, says the group presented an excellent opportunity.
"I'm no writer, but I always wanted to be able to express myself better with the written word," he says.
"Our leader is a published writer herself, but does not teach in the traditional sense. She makes suggestions and encourages members, some of whom are blessed with special talent."
Some group members are really skilled writers, he says.
"The reason I joined is because I want to learn something, but I've learned a lot more than that. Each one of us has such a different background."
Not everyone comes to weekly meetings with a new script, but those who do are expected to read their work aloud, Paulsen says.
"This has lead to amazing discoveries of who we are and personal insights into life experiences. It's brought us closer and leads to discussion on an array of subjects prompted by our experiences from the perspective of advanced age."
The benefits have been more than improved writing skills. "We've gained new-found interest and respect for one another, a group of individuals of widely different backgrounds, and personal beliefs," Paulsen says.
The group is the highlight of the week for Gerane Weinreich.
"It's so interesting and I always learn something," Weinreich says.
A cardinal rule is: no apologies for whatever is presented.
"Whatever it may be, it has value," Weinreich says. "We're not to put ourselves down after we've read either.
"What we share ranges from poetry, memoirs, short stories, summaries of our travels and commentaries to work in progress. Through this we have gotten to know each other with greater intimacy than we would have otherwise."
Katie Simpson is another writer in the group.
"It's stimulating and delightful," she says. "There's so much more than just the written word. We have some very interesting people in this place.
"We've experienced an understanding and appreciation of the unique diversity of experience and talents of one another. If we meet in the hallway or at gatherings, we needn't stop to chat - a nod and a smile says we're special to each other."
Sheila Pursglove is a freelance writer. She can be reached at bingley51@yahoo. com.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
TOP JOBS
