Writing Group
I am all about experiencing new adventures and trying new things, obviously. This week’s adventure was quite unexpected, but joyous in ways I didn’t expect.
I have recently discovered the public library. I know that doesn’t sound like the start of an action-packed adventure story, but not all experiences are wild, crazy and profound. Some of the best ones happen in everyday places when we are not expecting them.
Late in the summer, I made a list of things I wanted to do and see near my hometown. I thought back on the days when I was too busy to breathe and reminisced on what I used to wish I could do…if I wasn’t too busy to breathe. The public library made this list and, well, it is the coolest place ever. Seriously. I haven’t been to our library since my kids were small, very small. We are talking 18-20 years ago. I had no idea all of the cool classes and clubs and groups that go on within those four walls. Did you know you can walk in with a driver's license and leave with 25 books….for free? You can also download an app (for free, gah) and listen to audiobooks, too! Now, anyone who knows me, knows that I am a glutton for books. The library is like a FREE buffet for book lovers. Sample them. Try ‘em out. If you don’t like them, bring ‘em back and get six different ones. I have a cute little canvas book bag I got at a podcast conference and I bring that with me, fill up my bag with 8-9 books, show them my shiny new library card, and then walk out feeling like I am getting away with the biggest bank heist in history. Check out your local public library. You won’t be sorry.
Ok, back to the actual story.
Within the glorious library walls, there are community bulletin boards scattered throughout the various rooms on each of the three floors (yes, there are THREE floors full of books, gah). On these bulletin boards, there are flyers for upcoming events, notices for community groups and clubs, and advertisements for classes and exhibits being offered. My eyes lit up when I saw two book club flyers and one writing group schedule. I have been looking for a writing group for years. I was overwhelmed with excitement and joy. This particular group was advertised to be a weekly meeting, open to the public, with the theme Life Story: Writing a Memoir.
I didn’t care what the topic of the group was. I would be willing to write about anything, as long as I got to meet other writers in my community. For years I have been searching for people to share feedback, encourage each other and hold one another accountable to their writing goals. I was flooded with enthusiasm and hope that I may have finally found my people. I put the Thursday meeting time into my calendar with a weekly reminder, then filled my little canvas bag with six additional books from the "How to Write a Memoir” section.
When Thursday finally came, I got myself mentally and physically ready for my big debut in The Writing Group. I ate a good lunch, so my brain would perform at peak performance. I got my run in early in the morning, so I would have time to recover and eat said good lunch before going to The Writing Group. I put on my best “I am a serious writer” outfit and went to my office to pack my bag. I made sure my laptop for fully charged and my charging cable was packed in it’s rightful place. How much writing could I possibly do with a dead laptop? I made sure I had two pens and a fresh new notebook, as well as a highlighter. The topic was writing memoirs, so I made sure to pack both of the memoirs I was currently reading: Maid and Class, both by Stephanie Land, who happens to reside in Missoula, MT an hour and a half West of me (I am driving there next Sunday night to get both books signed by her at the Missoula public library…don’t be jealous. It is a free event and you are invited, too). Check out Stephanie Land here. Ok, back to the story. I also made sure I had a little snack and a full Hydroflask full of water because the meeting was scheduled for two hours and was serious business. The last thing I did was lint roll my backpack in an attempt to rid it of all the beagle hair. That was a fail, but anyway… I had to look presentable and be taken seriously, right?
1:00 pm was looming in the near distance, so I made my way to the library ten minutes before the group started. I wanted to make sure I got a good seat and was able to introduce myself to all of the members as they arrived. At 12:50 pm I walked into The Big Butte conference room and saw a small card table with three older ladies sitting around it. I would put all three ladies between the ages of 70-85. Thinking I was in the wrong room and likely interrupting a meeting among library staff, I apologized and started to retreat to the safety of the hallway. That’s when Susan spoke, “Hi, are you looking for The Writing Group?”
Why, yes I was! The group of three ladies welcomed me with open arms and offered me the fourth, and last seat at the well-worn table. They introduced themselves with great pride and enthusiasm but seemed to be a bit confused about why I was there. They certainly didn’t say it, but the glances at one another and the shock on their faces when I told them I was looking for their group was a telltale. I looked around the table and noticed no one had a computer. There were dozens of papers on the table being passed in a counterclockwise circle. Was that someone’s manuscript? I was hoping I got a chance to review it. Nope, they were printed memes that my neighbor to the right, Lois referred to as “weekly funnies.” Funnies were provided by group members to start the session off with a laugh. Although I had seen most of the memes on Facebook, I considered most of them “oldies, but goodies” and laughed, while waiting for the group to start. Considering we weren’t going to be using laptops, I pulled out my fresh new notebook and one pen. I left the highlighters and extra pen packed because it was apparent we wouldn’t be using them either.
Just as I got settled into my spot, two additional members walked into the room, one man around 70-75 years old and one high-strung woman likely in her late 60’s to early 70’s. They immediately noticed me and looked to the other members to question why I was there. Like the others, they greeted me and introduced themselves jovially.
Edward, a former English teacher, was prominent and professional in his presence. His voice was loud and his smile was never ending. He commanded the room with his boisterous energy. I liked him right away. The woman who came at the same time, who we will call Jody because I can’t remember her name, was happy as a lark and excited to see her fellow group members. I find it ironic I can’t remember her name because she told me during her introduction that she wouldn’t remember my name, because she can’t remember anyone’s name. She then told me the story about how she renamed Susan “Eleanor,” because she had mistaken that for her name years earlier. It was clear to me at that point this group had been meeting together for an extended period.
Jody and Edward poked fun at one another, while the original three ladies giggled quietly. It was a library after all and being overly loud was a mortal sin. The last lady out of the original three will be called Linda because I also forgot her name. I was very nervous when I first walked in, and although I said all three original ladies’ names three times to myself and made mental notes of how I would remember their names, I was only able to remember Susan.
The clock passed 1 pm and it was apparent our group was complete. I helped Edward move an additional table next to the original one, so we could all have some elbow room. Once set up, there I sat amongst a group of retired senior citizens ready to dive into some writing! I figured I fit right in because I was kind of retired, too!
The “weekly funnies” were recirculated for Edward and Jody to see as Susan took down my contact information (by hand) so I could be added to the group email list. They started the session with weekly announcements that consisted of medical updates on several people within the community. “Emily” had a knee replacement and “Eva” had a mass removed, but called from the recovery room to say she was fine. Susan announced that they don’t crack your skull open for brain surgery anymore. The medical updates continued as a get-well card was passed around the table to be signed. Did I know Theresa Hamilton? Nope, I didn’t, so I declined to sign the card. How long had this group been meeting? That’s when I learned that Theresa was also part of their knitting club and they all hung out together at the Belmont Senior Citizen Center. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hang out with my new friends at the Belmont, but maybe I could take up knitting?
After 15-20 minutes, we got going with the meat and potatoes of the group which consisted of each member reading what they had written the past week, based on a writing prompt given by an assigned member of the group. Today’s prompt was on education and was based on a quote from someone famous, whom I didn’t recognize. The gist of the quote was that education comes from more places than just school. I sat back and listened to all but Lois read their work proudly. BTW, Lois was hospitalized with COVID the previous week (which was covered in the medical update portion of the meeting) which is the only reason she was unprepared. Each person had an essay and wrote on something completely different from one another, yet all with the assigned underlying theme. It was amazing to listen to this senior group of writers share their perspectives (most so much more traditional and prudent than my perspective) and insights. It was interesting to hear the different writing styles and I swear I could have picked who wrote each of the essays based on the style alone if I had to guess who wrote what. These writers were a wealth of knowledge and experience and I felt so honored to be able to sit amongst them and listen to their stories.
Susan was so ladylike and full of giddy charm. Her writing style reflected that perfectly. Her essay was perfectly structured and had so many charming layers to it. She brought it full circle and ended it with sweet humor. The best part was how innocent she was. She was concerned with confidentiality (which is why I have changed all of the names in this blog) and made sure I understood the group was private. Her concern was mentioned because her essay had details about where she hid her Pioneer radio face plate when she wasn’t in her vehicle. It was adorable. I fell in love with her right there.
Jody’s writing was blunt, strongly worded, and a bit unpredictable just like her upbeat and quirky personality. Jody did not have a filter and I loved that about her. She went on to tell me about the homeless man and his two dogs she randomly met via his dog attacking her…or her dog (it was a bit hard to follow). The story ended with her feeling sorry for him, so she let him and his dogs move in with her. She now has a stranger for a roommate and will be sending him and his dogs off to obedience school. This woman was hilarious. She could have been a character from a sitcom.
Sweet Linda’s writing was just that…so sweet. She wrote something beautiful and deeply personal (too personal to share on here). I admired the courage she projected as she read her essay to the group. I could tell she had a heart of gold and it poured out in her writing.
Edward, this week’s leader of the group, because it was his writing prompt, went last. He wrote a clever essay about common sense and book smarts. It was well written, obviously proofread multiple times, and had a poetic flare to it. It fit his appearance and personality perfectly.
When it was all said and done, the group did medical updates on some pets amongst the group, then assigned the writing prompt to an absent member. I was told they would email me the prompt when that member chose it. I gathered up my things because despite it only being 2:15, the group was concluding. Edward was closing up shop, and as this week’s leader, we all followed.
The group treated me like a damn celebrity, attending to my every need and expression of confusion. When they noticed I wasn’t clear on something, they offered me some insight on how things worked in the group, or who the person they were talking about was. They were so welcoming and hospitable. It got me thinking about how manners, a sense of community, and plain ‘ol kindness and respect have gone out the window in my generation (and the generations behind me). I spent an hour with 5 strangers and by the time I left, I felt like I knew them better than I know my neighbors and 99% of my Facebook friends. I didn’t think I would, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even if it was absolutely nothing like what I thought it would be. This was a group I could see myself learning from and enjoying my time with.
As we were cleaning up, I asked if anyone in the group was working on a memoir, considering that was the topic of the group. They all looked around at one another and shook their heads. “No” was the majority answer. Susan was the only one who was actively working on a project. Maybe they weren’t a group aspiring to be legendary writers. Maybe they did things a little old school. Maybe they weren’t the most structured and focused group, but they certainly were a group of writers who had their priorities straight. They didn’t take life too seriously, loved the art of writing, and had a great sense of community.
As I was leaving, one of them asked, “Will you be coming back next week, Tracy?”
