Brainerd writer's group hopes to inspire more to join
They get together to hold each other accountable.
They meet to motivate, inspire and to criticize and critique.
They are a writer's group that meets at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center twice a month. The group writes whatever comes to their mind. They write family memoirs, past experiences, poems or any subject that strikes their fancy.
Nels Okeson (left), Doris Anderson and Mary Larkin wrote in their journals during a November writer's group session at the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey » Purchase reprints of this photo.
Nels Okeson of Baxter started the writer's group this summer. About a dozen people have attended a writing session since the group's existence, but only three of four come on a regular basis.
Okeson was in a writer's group when he lived in Aitkin County. When he moved to Baxter he wanted to continue to be in a writer's group, but there wasn't any. He said he thought that people in the Brainerd area would be interested in writing memoirs so he called the senior center and got the group started.
Okeson likes being in a writer's group because it helps motivate him.
"We're all lazy," said Okeson. "This group helps us put our feet to the fire."
Okeson said at each meeting the group will pick a subject and write about it for 10 minutes. After the time is up they have to put their pens or pencils down and read what they wrote. During a meeting in November, the group of three wrote about a memorable teacher.
Okeson began writing 30 years ago. He wanted to write what it was like to be a Minneapolis firefighter. When he doesn't write about his firefighting days, he enjoys writing essays about general subjects, such as trips he took.
Okeson said he also wrote columns for the Aitkin newspaper when he lived there.
Doris Anderson of Baxter and Mary Larkin of Brainerd attend every writer's group session. Anderson joined the group because she wanted to write stories her grandmother told her about her life. Anderson said she cannot remember all the stories, but she writes what she can. She has written about six stories, so far.
"My own grandchildren might be interested in reading about their great grandmother," said Anderson. "I want to write them down so I don't forget them."
Larkin joined the writer's group because she is a procrastinator and she needed a deadline to keep her moving. Larkin said she enjoys writing about her experiences, such as her first job she had as a teenager and her visits to the Crow Wing State Park.
Larkin also writes about her family.
"There are people in my family who died who were quite the characters when they were young," said Larkin. "If we don't write these stories down while we remember them, how will the younger generations know about them?
"I'm also going to write things down about me in case people down in my family tree would want to know what type of person I was."
Anyone is welcome to join the writing group and can do so by coming to a session. The group meets at 10:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of the month.
"We're not judgmental," said Okeson. "We try to keep it fun."
JENNIFER STOCKINGER may be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.