A Writing Group’s Growth
For 13 years my Tuesday calendar has depicted some sort of reminder of my writing time with the Eastside Tucson Writing Room. We were EWR when we emphasized our location with Eastside. ETWR, when we expanded to answer the question of What Eastside? – Eastside Tucson!
Then Z for Zoom, when covid tried to stop our flow of group creativity. Hybrid, using Zoom and in-person IP, as we included everyone from the now 9 states where our membership resides.
The Beginning – February 13, 2013
At our first meeting on February 19, 2013, there were 2 writers at the table in my living room. In this our 13th year, members write in their living room, at co-op work spaces, in the park, on long drives in the car, on planes, in hotels, and around my table when we have IP meetings.
We are linked by stating our writing intention each week. We have written and published books, explored poetry, memoir, sci fi, mystery, lectures, presentations, geneology, children’s lit, self-care, young adult, blogs, recovery and self-help, plays, songs, historical works, fiction and non-fiction. We have shared our writing on stage, at storytelling events, festivals, conferences, in homes, schools, churches, restaurants, and institutions. Our words are powerful, inspiring, funny, thought-provoking and personal.
Celebrating 13
This 13th year called for a celebration with sugar-loaded cupcakes and GF treats (GF had the popularity prize). Thank you, Susan Smith, and Lynn Perdzock for bringing your GF treats. Notepads and cards from Susan are easy to use reminders to write down the brilliant idea that may fade if not preserved.
In person guests: Sally Lanyon, Susan Smith, Lynn Perdzock, Ethel Lee-Miller, Beth Murfee.
The real treats for me are our writers, my dear friends and colleagues, who show up, share enthusiasm, great writing ideas, and support for each other in the writing room, online, and at events.
Happy Birthday- may all our wishes come true!
Contact Ethel for more information about our group, members, and joining us.
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and her writing life. She retired after 30 years of teaching, and semi-retired from coaching, and professional editing. Founder of the Eastside Tucson Writing Room based in Tucson AZ, she’s posted 100s of blogs, and is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. These days she writes to inspire, to connect with folks, teaching about the power of words, gather writers together, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys teaching, speaking, and storytelling at Odyssey Storytelling, Artists Standing Strong Together, Tucson Tellers of Tales, Spotlight on AZPM, Center for Spiritual Living Tucson, New Story Pod, and anywhere there’s a mic or a Zoom room.