Were You There?

It seemed like a good thing to do…help me begin connecting with others in the community. Having never been to one before, I did not know what to expect. Nevertheless, I had some notion that the authors would read what they had written while the others critiqued the work. It is a very vulnerable place to be.

The Palm Harbor Writers’ Group met at the library and began promptly at 6:30 pm to give those who had something to read plenty of time within the hour and a half meeting. Monitored by Joy, most of the attending members read for five minutes—poems, essays, working chapters—then listened to feedback from the others. I offered very little.

I noticed that if the speaker did not speak up a few attendees could not hear, spoke louder than needed and a few times spoke during the presentation and feedback. Yes, the group’s average age was considerably drawn down when my age was added to the equation. There was good natured banter, some helpful comments and some interesting readings including a radio play where I was recruited to read the part of a character who quoted lines from Shakespeare. Needless to say, those lines were not read too smoothly, but I think I did a fair job despite the fact that I can’t read out loud.


I saw the osprey catch a fish. Cool.