Showing posts with label #OrangevillePublicLibrary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #OrangevillePublicLibrary. Show all posts

Friday, November 3, 2023

Saying Goodbye to a Writing Friend by Diane Bator

 

https://books2read.com/All-That-Shimmers

When you become part of a writing group, you tend to develop some close friendships. In joining the Headwaters Writers’ Guild in April 2007, I had no idea how that journey would become such a huge part of my life.

Founded by Nancy Rorke and Janet Bellinger after taking courses with Ed Wildman (who had trained with Natalie Goldberg), the HWG was never a large group. We fluctuated between 5-20 members depending on the year, the season, or the Sunday. We met every second Sunday in various locations for various reasons. When I first joined, we met in the basement at the Orangeville Public Library. Then were unceremoniously kicked out when they wanted to charge us rent. A few times, we met in the boardroom at the Meridian Credit Union since we held a bank account there.

One of our many great events!

As luck had it, one of our members was a pastor’s wife. She made arrangements for us to move to the basement of Tweedsmuir Church up the street for a few years. Then the library hired new management and had a change of heart. We were allowed to use the community room provided we assist with their new programming – WOW, or Words the Orangeville Way. And we did!


Open Mic Night!

Open Mic Nights, author panels, guest speakers, workshops, all went under the banner of WOW. Many of our writers participated and it was a great way to meet new writers to bring into our fold. We also offered retreats at Eramosa Eden in Rockwood, which was partly owned by two of our members, sisters Gloria and Alberta Nye. Our local coffee shop, Mochaberry, was often our after meeting destination.

Christmas parties over the years were held at a variety of locations. King’s Buffet was a favorite, also potlucks at the library, and another local buffet, the name of which escapes me.

My very first retreat with the group was the first time I dared to put a book out for critique. And regretted it! My story, my words, my baby was picked apart. I was devastated! BUT, I did go back and made some changes. In 2010, I found an agent, then a publisher. While The Bookstore Lady underwent many more changes and edits, I was grateful for the support of the group.

Why the longwinded reminiscence? Nancy Rorke passed away at the end of this October. I hadn’t seen her for a few years as she’d suffered health issues and I’d gone down my own rabbit hole, but her fire-cracker spirit has lived on in things I write. She was always heavy-handed with writing criticism within the group, but always with the best of intentions. She could be a great shoulder to lean on when you needed writing or moral support.

Patricia Gallant, Diane Bator, Nancy Rorke, Judy Zarowny at Authors & Armchairs 2011

Our lives went in separate directions a few years ago, but I still think of her fondly. She was one of those people who made me more determined than ever to “make it.” To be a published author and to share my stories with the world.

Thank you, Nancy, for your love, your endless support, and your spirit. You will live on in many hearts.

Love Always, 

Diane

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