Marjorie Nanian sits at the end of a long table, offering her experience and advice to others in the room during a recent meeting of the East Pasco Writers Forum.
As she speaks, the others listen intently.
The forum, part of the Florida Writers Association, meets at the Country Aire Manor clubhouse in Dade City, on the second Thursday of each month, from 10 a.m. to noon.
The writers forum aims to encourage authors and budding wordsmiths to share their work, and learn from each other.
The meeting is broken into two segments.
The first segment focuses on offering advice, sharing thoughts and providing information about local opportunities and events that may be of interest to forum members.
The second segment focuses on writing.
Forum participants play an interactive role — with each author sharing copies of his or her work and reading for the group.
Between readings, group members offer suggestions to help the author enhance his or her skills.
Tammy Kennedy was a first-time visitor to the writers forum.
“I had to go through something so awful,” she told the group, referring to some difficult childhood experiences.
Kennedy, who wrote the books, “From Rubble to Royalty” and “Jingles Lost Her Jingle,” said she has used writing as an outlet for dealing with domestic abuse she experienced as a child.
She hopes her work will inspire others who have had similar experiences.
She recently self-published “Lil’ J Lost His Jam.” She said it has been difficult to get exposure for the book because of its subject matter on child abuse.
Nanian, who is an author herself and has attended several writing forums, had a wealth of information to share.
She told the writers it’s important to identify the genre of literature they’re creating and to be aware of the audience they’re seeking to reach.
When it comes to social issues, she said, “colleges are a great place to approach.”
Nanian also advised beginners to “build credibility” by sending short stories or poems to magazines for publication. Doing this puts one in direct contact with an editor, without the use of an agent.
Forum member Jack Olson is a photographer, who has experience sailing overseas.
He said he intends to publish his writings as a keepsake for his family.
Olson said he doesn’t feel qualified to offer feedback.
But, those taking part in the forum are encouraged to kindly point out errors or ways to polish up each other’s work, to foster better writing.
So, as forum members shared their work, they exchanged suggestions, such as avoiding too much detail, steering clear of repetition, using precise language and creating more emotional depth in characters.
“Whenever you introduce it [author’s work] to the group, you actually get criticism and learn from it,” said Eugene Bozeman, who shared his poem about a newborn baby’s perception of birth.
The topics that writers tackle range widely.
While Bozeman wrote poetry about a newborn baby, Bonnie Nye’s story focused on a girl falsely accused of murder in the late 1970s.
The writers said their interest in writing developed at different stages in their lives.
Some said creating literature did not become appealing until later in their lives.
Others developed a love for language quite early.
Kara Teresi knew she had a passion for writing since elementary school.
“This is my destiny, this is my identity – to be a writer,” she said. “That’s why I’m here.”
The forum is open to the public. It welcomes anyone who wants to share and improve their writing — whether they are professionals, just starting out, or somewhere in between.
For more information, contact Marjorie Nanian at (248) 231-7167 or .
East Pasco Writers Forum
Where: Country Aire Manor clubhouse, 10249 U.S. 98 in Dade City
When: The club meets on the second Thursday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon.
Details: Members and visitors share their own works and offer suggestions to help each other hone writing skills
Cost: Free
Info: Contact Marjorie Nanian at (248) 231-7167 or
Published September 26, 2018
