By Derek Cornet

Writing club celebrates 25th anniversary

Jan 10, 2018 | 4:00 PM

For 25 years, members of the Wild Rice Writers Group have been in La Ronge to encourage aspiring authors.

The club meets twice per month at Mistasinihk Place to discuss their most recent stories, poems or whatever else they’ve been working on. Writers Group President Linda Mikolayenko said members then provide feedback about the work and answer any questions the writer might have. 

“The overall goal is to provide an environment for people who are interested in writing,” she said. “It allows us to support each other and gain some professional development. It could be for people writing for publication, but it’s also for people who enjoy writing for satisfaction.”

While the group’s membership has fluctuated throughout the years, Mikolayenko said six to eight people regularly attend meetings. The club also typically hosts one workshop per year, which attracts many more participants because they’re open to the public, she said. 

“We’ve received grants over the years, which have enabled us to do a number of workshops and that’s been part of the professional development,” Mikolayenko said. “We always encourage anyone who is interested in writing to become a members of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. That allows us to take advantage of some of the benefits.”

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Since its founding, a number of writers involved have had their work published as novels, in anthologies or other forms of media. Because La Ronge is such a transient community, Mikolayenko said some members who moved away have gone on to win a variety of awards for writing.

At the club’s 25th anniversary celebrations back in September 2017, former member Melissa Cromarty rejoined after stepping away for several years. She said it’s a welcoming group where it’s easy to meet people.

“I’ve been getting my creative spirit back and that helped bring me back to the club, because it was the right time for me,” Cromarty said.  

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno