Something to Write About

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting some of the most talented authors in the area. Over twenty were at the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild meeting laden with books, computers, magazines, journals, postcards, posters, and pen in hand to sign a sold book.

I had hoped to prepare them in the event the turnout was not what they expected. And to remember that no matter how many people came to this event, it did not diminish the work they have accomplished as writers. Most of them have other careers including professors at several colleges and universities, business men and women, counselors, and scientists to name a few.

It was a perfect opportunity for them to network as well. But from one writer to another, it was all of our hopes to have a huge crowd buying books. I will look at the evaluation sheets I had the writers fill out and see what I can suggest to the CWG board next year. For this is my last year on the CWG board as it is in our bylaws that one can serve a maximum of three years, and since the first meeting of the year is in September, it was my last time to plan a program as well.

It has been a good three years. I have met some great people and served on the board with a wonderful group of men and women dedicated to making the CWG a great organization meeting the needs of writers in and around the Chattanooga area. I still plan to remain active in the CWG because who would not want to get opportunities like last night?

I met a young woman who wrote her first book and got to see her smile and eyes shine with pride. I met a professor at Dalton State College who told me about some writing classes coming up. I saw a friend who gave me a tip on a story for Catoosa Life Magazine’s September/October issue. I made a new friend in a writer who invited me to help start a new writing group and who told me that another writer, Nancy Williams, who I had not seen in a year or so had died recently. And that made me sad. And then I met a woman from Cleveland who was friends with Marcia Brantley, the missing Cleveland woman who is presumed dead. The last time I saw Marcia was at the CWG board meeting when she was going off the board and and I was coming on. She disappeared right after that, hopefully by choice and not by ill fate. I don’t plan to disappear.

My thoughts are with Nancy’s and Marcia’s family and friends and with all the talented and successful writers that I had the honor of sharing a celebration of publication last night. It was something to write about!