Playing with Words

There’s a small, but intrepid, group of writers who meet in the library community room twice a month. They’re people who love words, love playing with words, love trying to express ideas, stories, poems, thoughts, emotions with words. I think everyone who comes to the library loves words. Whether we write them or read them, we love the sound of them as they are spoken, the feel of them in our mouths, the idea of them in our heads. And we love the people who put them on paper for us to read, to paint pictures in our minds, to create characters in our hearts, to stretch us with their thoughts. It’s why I love the idea of bringing authors to the library. Whether you are a reader or a writer, or both, there’s something about meeting someone who believes in the power of words and works to put them together in stories, poems and information that is thrilling. For us wordy nerds it’s like meeting a rock star, a movie star or a great athlete. These are the people we want to be like. These are the people who amaze us.

Having had the opportunity to meet a couple of children’s authors in the last year, I have to say they were everything I imagined and then some. Their generosity of heart was the most amazing part. Their willingness to share their knowledge, stories, and encouragement with kids (of all ages) was inspiring. That’s why I’m so looking forward to Maggie Shayne’s coming – because now it’s the “big kids,” those of use who occasionally still act like kids, but haven’t been in a long time, that get to experience that generosity first hand.

I haven’t met Maggie officially yet, but from all our conversations and from what people that know her have told me, I can’t wait. Here’s a woman who does the hard work of writing and not only makes a living at it, but makes the New York Times best seller list. It gives me hope! I particularly like that she titled her workshop “Lying for a Living,” because it makes writing sound a little racy, daring and dangerous, rather than the scary and painful endeavor it sometimes feels like. And she’s willing to share her experience and words of comfort (or maybe even a kick in the pants) with those of us who are toiling away, or just testing the waters, or looking for the courage to put our thoughts, dreams, hopes and words down on paper.

Maggie writes paranormal romance, but she’s written it all - from romance, to westerns, to thrillers. If you like a sweet love story, or you like you love interest to have fangs and a bit of bite, there’s something for everyone in Maggie’s writing. If you love to write, want to write, want to love to write, or love to read and meet people who bring stories and characters to life, come to hear Maggie on the 10th of July. She’ll be giving an all day writing workshop at the library from 9 am until 3 pm. Happily Ever After Bookstore will be selling her books and there will be a signing at 10:30 am and again around 1:30 pm. The workshop is free, but call the library at 749-4616 to register.

This workshop is made possible with Funds from New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grant Program, a State Agency, and the Cultural Resources Council, a Regional Arts Council. Matching funds were provided by the Wilkins Foundation.