Writing workshop in Poteau, March 11

New group coming to Mena?

Submitted by Vinita Eggers

Green Country Ruff Riters (GCRR) was established about 1980 (anecdotal evidence suggests either the fall of 1979 or 1980 as the inception of GCRR). The two main people behind the creation of the group were Kim McGeehee and Tommy Hughes.

Published authors who were once GCRR members include Kim Riley, Tabitha Shay, Modean Moon, Paula Gorgas, Pat Kelley, and Joe Harwell. Published authors and present members include Debra Martinez, and John Pontius.

GCRR meets on the second Saturday of the month at the Patrick Lynch Public Library, in Poteau, Oklahoma, 2-4 p.m. in September, December, March and June. Each meeting includes a 50-minute workshop on the craft of writing, 50 minutes for critiques, and 20 minutes for the group’s business.

In addition, GCRR hosts a virtual write-in each Saturday via Facebook Messenger from 2-4 p.m. The virtual write-in started out as a stop gap arrangement during April 2020 after the library in Poteau instituted lockdowns due to COVID-19. However, the writein was such a success that the once-amonth activity was increased to twice a month, and then increased again to its present iteration.

The December 2022 meeting included a workshop about questions to keep in mind when creating other worlds for your stories.

The March 11 meeting will include a workshop about conflict and how to build it via scenes and sequels as explained in Chapter 15 of Dwight V. Swain’s book “Techniques of the Selling Writer.”

Once a year, usually in the summer, GCRR hosts a writing workshop for school children, ages 12 and up, in conjunction with and at the Patrick Lynch Public Library in Poteau.

GCRR’s largest project in 2023 will be starting up a sister group in Mena, Arkansas,* called Ouchita Writers Guild. To that end, GCRR Secretary Nancy Lewis has been in talks with a local resale shop. Meetings will be held on the third Saturday of the month at Reedemed Boutique located at 1510 Hwy. 71 North. The first meeting will be March 18.

GCRR is an affiliate of the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc.(OWFI) and sponsors a contest category each year. President Vinita Eggers represents GCRR at OWFI Board meetings as a delegate of GCRR. OWFI organizes a contest, and a conference each year. The Oklahoma Arts Council, funded by the Oklahoma Legislature using our tax dollars, sponsors the keynote speaker for OWFI’s conference.GCRR members develop a unique bond based on our dedication to our craft, no matter how new or experienced we may be.

If you are looking for writing support, more information about the group, our next meeting or volunteering as a speaker, please contact us at one of the following:

Debra Martinez, PR and Program Director, 918-721-4056

Vinita Eggers, President and OWFI Delegate, 2kwl2bagirl@gmail.com

GCRR Facebook Page: https://www. facebook.com/GreenCountryRuffRiters/ .

* Information regarding the Mena group was sent to the Pulse after we had gone to press.