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Gulf Coast Writers Association workshop: Tell Your Hurricane Story

By Staff | Apr 12, 2023

Remember Hurricane Ian? Then plan to attend Gulf Coast Writers Association’s meeting Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to noon for an in-person workshop to help all those involved — survivors, first aid workers, families and all others who lived through one of America’s worst storms – develop their stories about the Ian experience. The workshop will be at Word of Life Church at 6111 South Pointe Blvd. in Fort Myers.

Prose or poetry or whatever the favored writing style, the only rule is that the experience must be true or, for essayists and poets, mostly true.

Jeanne Meeks and Mary Charles will be conducting memoir workshops at the April 15 event. They’ll share some of their writing experience and advice, along with some challenging exercises, to the meeting, a fast-paced hour in which participants will each develop or refine a story about the Sept. 28, 2022 storm.

“The stories we write on Saturday will become part of the permanent record of Hurricane Ian,” said Charles, GCWA vice president. “We’re creating an anthology of storm stories to be printed before the anniversary of Ian’s visit. In partnership with the Alliance for the Arts, we intend to have this book on display and for sale during their planned month-long exhibit in September 2023.”

Because it’s a hands-on workshop, attendance will be in-person only. There will not be a Zoom component this time.

Note: Google maps or your GPS may direct you to the back of the building. The entrance to the parking lot is on South Point Boulevard between Quigley Eye Specialists and Buckets Restaurant. 

About GCWA

Founded in 1995 and incorporated in 2004, the Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc. (GCWA) provides a forum for fellowship, education, and information for writers. GCWA’s well-regarded annual writing contest draws a wide-range of authors. Based in Fort Myers, the organization attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida from Marco Island to Tampa. At monthly meetings, speakers and workshops offer expert advice on such topics as writing techniques, publishing, and marketing. Participants at these meetings also have the opportunity to read their works. The organization’s members include published as well as unpublished writers and professional editors, agents and publicists. The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction and nonfiction to children’s and young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essays and screenplay. Members include full-time writers as well as corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, all still working or retired. GCWA’s website is gulfwriters.org.

Source: Gulf Coast Writers Association