The latest meeting of the Writers' Haven took place at the Beebe residence. On hand were June Saunders, Kerry Pobanz, Jerry Chesnut, Richard Panzer, Valerie Shimoyama, and Bob and Karen Beebe. We got right into the agenda with a discussion about Bob's story (not sure yet whether it's novel, novella or short story) set in the hinterlands of Siberia along the transcontinental railroad in the village of Slyudyanka (anybody been there?) where a Bob-type American character gets stranded after failing to get back on the train after a short stop. He's left without money, passport or any kind of identification. Eventually he meets up with a Russian priest and so begins a meeting of cultures. I appreciate the encouraging feedback everyone gave and hope by the next meeting to have the American kidnapped by terrorists and taken into one of the Central Asian Islamic republics. Stay tuned.
From there we turned our attention to Valerie's piece, entitled "Spelling," about her real-life experience in which she was removed from a spelling bee as a result of the action of a nun from her school. Her heart-wrenching story was a look into an unforgettable childhood experience and its tie-in to an adolescent child's family and social situation. Truly our childhood experiences shape the kind of people we become, for better or worse. Sometimes we spend a lifetime trying to get out from under their influence.
Our next meeting is planned for this Sunday, June 21, 3:00-5:00 pm, at the Saunders home (6 Emerson St., Clifton). Although it is Father's Day, no one seemed to object to having the meeting, so we plan to go ahead with it. Presenting will be Kerry (you should have all received his latest piece) and June (still coming). We look forward to a stimulating meeting together.
God bless you and see you soon!
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