Great Falls Library Branch Manager Daniela Dixon and local Great Falls author Kristin Clark Taylor meet to discuss the launch of the Great Falls Writer’s Group.
The Great Falls Writer’s Group (GFWG) will be holding its inaugural meeting at the Great Falls Library on Thursday, Aug. 8, at 11:30 a.m. According to local Great Falls author, Kristin Clark Taylor, who will be acting as the group facilitator, the objective of the GFWG is, “to bring together, on a regular basis, local writers, authors and would-be authors to discuss, explore and examine the joy of writing, and to encourage its daily practice.” The GFWG invites any member of the community with a serious intent and desire to incorporate writing in to their daily lives, to participate and to contribute their creative energy. “Writing itself, as a solitary discipline is one thing; but the collective sharing of the passion for writing is yet another thing altogether,” says Taylor, “I’m very excited about the creation and launch of this new group; this new family of writers. I feel the same rush of excitement today about bringing together this creative, collaborative group as I did as a member of the creation and launch team of USA Today.”
Daniela Dixon, Branch Manager of the Great Falls Library, says that, “the library is here for exactly this kind of thing; we want people to be able to share their passions and interests here at the library.” The GFWG plans to hold regularly scheduled meetings at the library, and Dixon has indicated that the library will post notices and flyers provided by the GFWG. In addition, meetings of the GFWG will appear in the Great Falls Library Schedule of Events online beginning in October at: https://va.evanced.info/fairfaxcounty/lib/eventcalendar.asp.
One local resident who will be participating in the GFWG is Susan V. Coleman of Reston. Coleman is a Registered Nurse with a master’s degree in public health, and a Clinical instructor in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at Georgetown University. She has published professional texts and papers, but she says that,
“My interest in the group is really more for personal development than professional. In my line of work writing is all about ‘evidence based practice’ but I would really like to develop a creative aspect of myself and incorporate it into my professional and personal thoughts and experiences . . . I think the group process will add new dimensions, creativity and energy into my thinking and writing. I am definitely of the mind that group thinking is vital to forward progress, so am excited to be part of a new group of writers - sharing a common interest yet having individual goals and backgrounds that are likely very different. “
Taylor says that the programs of the GFWG will, “focus on not only the practical applicability and joy that comes from writing as a daily exercise, but also on the business side -- how to get published, secure an agent, etc.”
“Writing itself, as a solitary discipline is one thing; but the collective sharing of the passion for writing is yet another thing altogether.”
-- Great Falls author Kristin Clark Taylor
As facilitator, she intends to invite guest writers in to speak, including Pulitzer-prize-winning journalists, best-selling authors and local columnists, all of whom, together with Taylor, share what she describes as, “that powerful passion for the craft itself.” She believes that the value of the GFWG will be in its ability to provide the kind of, “experiential learning that will light that spark, . . . inspire others to come along for the journey . . . to delve into the joy of the writing process themselves.”
The Great Falls Library is located at 9830 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Phone: 703-757-8560.
To read more about Kristin Clark Taylor: http://connection.membershipsoftware.org/article.asp?article=349658&paper=65&cat=104.