Creative writing sessions create community bonds
story and photos by Deborah Carr
For the past six weeks, a group of community members and Forest Dale Home residents have been gathering on Thursday mornings to learn creative writing tips and techniques for generating memories and getting them down on paper.
story and photos by Deborah Carr
For the past six weeks, a group of community members and Forest Dale Home residents have been gathering on Thursday mornings to learn creative writing tips and techniques for generating memories and getting them down on paper.
[Back Row] Betty Weston, Joanne Butland, David Siek, Brian Woodworth, Vicki Bell, Andrée Ostiguy, Karin Bach, Deborah Carr (Creative Writing Instructor), Vicki Caissie (Director, Forest Dale Homes) [Seated] Elaine Holmstrom, Dawne McLean, Alda Cutcliffe, Fundy Royal MP Alaina Lockhart (photo contributed by Alaina Lockhart) These weekly three-hour ‘lunch and learn’ sessions were the brainchild of Forest Dale Home administrator, Vickie Caissie, and were made possible through Federal funds from the New Horizons for Seniors Program. The sessions bring residents and community members together for shared learning and socializing, while providing something of value to both. We spend two hours learning creative writing techniques and exercises, then finish up with a light lunch.
What can be better than food, socializing and creative pursuits? Twenty-six people signed up for the sessions, and have been learning how easy it is to write about our lives…when you know some of the tricks.
What can be better than food, socializing and creative pursuits? Twenty-six people signed up for the sessions, and have been learning how easy it is to write about our lives…when you know some of the tricks.
I’ve been an advocate for the health benefits and emotional well-being that comes when seniors begin exploring their life stories, so was tremendously excited to have the chance to do this in my own community. Working with people and seeing what happens when they excavate some of the large and small events of their lives inspires me, too. It can be a surprising and profoundly moving experience.
The work we do requires no special skills, talents or even previous experience…in fact people who have never written creatively before always surprise themselves with the words and memories that spill out upon the page.
The work we do requires no special skills, talents or even previous experience…in fact people who have never written creatively before always surprise themselves with the words and memories that spill out upon the page.
Garda Clark (r) and Lois Snider (l) have enjoyed the weekly sessions. Garda Clark of Baltimore was never a fan of journaling or writing until she started these sessions. “But, since I’m now writing about things that are important to me, I’m really enjoying it and the way it brings back memories from my childhood that I can leave for my grandchildren,” she says. “It makes me think about things in a different way than I usually do.”
She says that she is ‘a list person’, so rarely thinks about descriptions, so this has opened new pathways to memory as she works to describe events, people, and surroundings. Since she has no brothers and sisters, she knows if she doesn’t write down her memories for her grandchildren, no one else will and they will be lost. She’s been very pleased with the memories and stories that have emerged during the sessions.
She says that she is ‘a list person’, so rarely thinks about descriptions, so this has opened new pathways to memory as she works to describe events, people, and surroundings. Since she has no brothers and sisters, she knows if she doesn’t write down her memories for her grandchildren, no one else will and they will be lost. She’s been very pleased with the memories and stories that have emerged during the sessions.
“This is also time just for me, which is kind of nice.” Garda Clark
Marilyn Wells works on a collage. And, we haven’t stuck to just creative writing…Jo-Ann Brine of Willow Yoga came in to give us a session on easy yoga stretches, and artist Karin Bach led us through an incredibly powerful session on the expressive art of collage.
We still have two weeks more weeks to finish up, and the finale will be a storytelling session with students from Riverside Consolidated school where participants get to share their stories and memories with a young audience.
And isn’t this really what its all about? We build strong ties and bonds with each other when we can share our stories and pass on the wisdom of our lived experience. This is how we live full circle.
I hope you’ll consider joining us in the fall when Albert County Lives: Writing our Stories starts up again for a repeat 8-week session. Dates are not finalized yet, but will no doubt take place through the October-November period. Please contact Mindy Holmstrom ([email protected]), if you’re interested in taking part or have questions.
We still have two weeks more weeks to finish up, and the finale will be a storytelling session with students from Riverside Consolidated school where participants get to share their stories and memories with a young audience.
And isn’t this really what its all about? We build strong ties and bonds with each other when we can share our stories and pass on the wisdom of our lived experience. This is how we live full circle.
I hope you’ll consider joining us in the fall when Albert County Lives: Writing our Stories starts up again for a repeat 8-week session. Dates are not finalized yet, but will no doubt take place through the October-November period. Please contact Mindy Holmstrom ([email protected]), if you’re interested in taking part or have questions.
About the Writer: Deborah Carr has been a freelance writer and writing coach for over a decade and regularly gives writing workshops for all ages. She also is the author of Sanctuary: The Story of Naturalist Mary Majka, the biography of the woman behind the Mary's Point Shorebird Reserve. Websites: www.deborahcarr.ca; www.natureofwords.com
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