In the spring of 1995, a number of people from the Yarmouth area, met at a writing workshop facilitated by Mark David Gerson at the Y’ARC. Following his inspirational sessions, six of these wannabe writers (who were strangers to each other before attending the workshop) decided to form a writing group. Thus, the Yarmouth Write Away Group was born with members Jacky Schofield, Jenny Morrow, Sandra Phinney, Ginny Boudreau, Michelene Cottrell, and Judith Green Ferron. Joined two years later by Thea Atkinson, these founding members formed the base of the group over the years and continue to maintain a presence, albeit a supportive role.
The mandate of the group was simply to hone the members’ writing skills. They did this by having monthly meetings that featured short writing exercises and critique for each other’s work upon request. An amazing metamorphosis happened over the next 20 years as the membership expanded and contracted. Out of the original group sprung freelance non-fiction writers, fiction writers, and poets. Newer members have also become published authors. Members of the group have taken every opportunity to attend workshops, given by authors such as Charlotte Gray, Donna Morrissey, Gwen Davies, Barry Dempster, Alex Pierce and many others, covering a broad spectrum of genres.
For several years, group members facilitated a one-week writing workshop at the Kids Can Write Camp at the Yarmouth branch of the Western Counties Regional Library as well as conducting individual workshops. A more recent activity is the annual collaboration with the Yarmouth Art Society to produce a ‘pairings exhibit’ of art and the written word, for the Yarmouth County Museum. One of two approaches is used within the groups: either the artist produces art from a chosen piece of writing, or the writer chooses an artwork as inspiration for a postcard story or a poem. Once framed, the pairing pieces are put on display in the Educational Room of the museum during the summer. A grand opening wine and cheese reception is held, where the authors read their pieces and the artists explain the creative process behind their artwork.
Members celebrate the writing camaraderie of the group one day a year when they put pen to paper (or fingers to computer) to do their own workshop, exchange writing tips, and discuss books, websites and other forms of information, at a fun-filled session which includes a pot-luck supper by the seashore or in a private garden.
