Everybody's got a story to tell. Now everyone has a forum.
An open coffee house is scheduled at the Estevan Library for Sept. 19, allowing anybody to bring in a written piece and present it to other local writers. The library is organizing the session along with the Estevan Writers' Group, and while the library has held similar sessions before, branch manager Kate-Lee Donohoe is hoping this will be the start of a regular sitting, whether they hold one once a month, or every few months.
She said the last one held at the library might have been last Christmas and was more of an opportunity for people to share some traditions and cultural practices. This coffee house is a time when anyone can bring a written work, be it a poem, short story, lyrics or even a part of a novel in the works, and share it with the group.
"It's a good opportunity for those who (like to write)," said Donohoe. "(Participants) don't have to be pros or anything."
She said they will probably begin the session with some members of the Estevan Writers' Group, which includes about 14 members, reading something from their work, and noted that not everybody needs to get up and recite a piece. It's an opportunity to socialize and listen to some of the local writers. Donohoe noted some people are a little more shy, and that it can be difficult to get up recite a poem or story, but encouraged anybody to come out who wants to hear what some of the pieces are like.
The library and writers' group have done a number of activities together before, and the group has participated in the library's past coffee houses. This is the first time they have approached the library about hosting one, said Maureen Ulrich, Writers' Group treasurer.
"We thought by having a coffee house in the fall, we might encourage other writers to get out of the closet and come join is on the last Wednesday of the month," said Ulrich. The group meets at the library on the last Wednesday of each month.
"Public readings are a great way to motivate our group's members to write for an audience," she added. "It develops confidence and helps us connect with readers."
The coffee house is Sept. 19 at the library, beginning at 7 p.m.
