Writing with Silver Quills

Everyone probably has a different reason for attending Silver Quills at the McKinleyville Senior Center. I like that we start off with a fun icebreaker question to start discussion.

There’s no pressure to write — you can just come and enjoy listening to others. And there’s no critique of the writing, just general conversation about the topic written.

I really don’t consider myself a writer. I just write about things that happened in my life as a kind of diary to leave for my children and grandchildren. Right now, I’m writing about all the jobs I’ve had. Have you ever laid wires in an armature? Come to one of our meetings and I’ll tell you about it. I have pictures!

Catherine Schoen has been a member of the Silver Quills writing group for several years. It’s her first writing group; previously, she had corresponded with several friends. “Writing and receiving letters was always a joy I could count on,” she said. “Silver Quills has been an equally delightful experience.”

Catherine enjoys hearing the other writers’ unique approaches and subject matter. “I greatly appreciate the varied styles and look forward to each writer reading their own words,” she said. It reminds her of working in the Napa Library Children’s Room for 17 years.

“I enjoy writing about my experiences, and if I can offer a laugh or two, usually at some daft behavior of mine, I am offering a picture of how I might be remembered. This makes my day!”

Kathy Anderson says the monthly writing group members have “grown quite close.”

“I write stories for my children,” Kathy said. “When they read them, I hope they’ll have a better understanding of my childhood, my choices and how my path led to them.”

Nancy Peoples, who says, “I have always dreamed of being a well-known author like Margaret Atwood,” has been a Silver Quills member for years.

“Being surrounded by these wonderful people gave me the courage in myself to write an article on behalf of seniors who were in the hospital suffering prolonged deaths due to hospital protocols,” she said.

“The atmosphere of this group encouraged me to speak up as people’s lives were being prolonged in pain,” Nancy said. She also has published in the former McKinleyville Press and submitted many letters to the editor.

Interested? Join Silver Quills on the second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. at the McKinleyville Senior Center, 1620 Pickett Road (707-839-0191), or see Facebook.

Catherine said, “One of the most gratifying aspects of Silver Quills is you never know what you will hear and learn.”

Judy Rishel does her writing in McKinleyville. Email: judyrishel44@gmail.com.