In 2015, my 89-year-old best woman friend died unexpectedly. Concurrently, my 87-year-old gentleman friend and I had a spat about politics and stopped seeing each other. To fill the new void in my life, I joined WAG as an 86th-birthday gift to myself.
It was my decision not to sit around alone while growing older.
The Writers Alliance of Gainesville (WAG) turned out to be the perfect answer. The Dissociates memoir pod accepted me, and I have submitted one story per month for twenty-nine consecutive months. Fellow pod members have included Phil Springer (who sadly moved away), Becky Micha, Bob Crow, Sandra Strang, and Jackie Trudeau. All are smart, wise, dear, encouraging, kind, and very helpful. We meet at my patio home in The Villages of West End and sit around my dining table. Because I am old, creaky, and have difficulty getting up from a chair, Pod members make themselves at home in my kitchen by fetching their own water or snacks. Through our writings, we reveal personal truths. We have bonded and deeply value each other’s friendship.
My stories describe growing up in rural Tennessee, losing a brother in WWII, living in Japan and Spain while married to an Air Force fighter pilot, losing a son to HIV contracted through a blood transfusion, and pursuing interests in music, art, literature, dreams, as well as politics, religion, and various other absurdities.
Last May, my grandson’s capable lady friend, who likes my writing, helped me start a blog, and the two of them taught me how to post my stories. Another grandson helps with posting appropriate photos. Click on Pattie Remembers to access 27 of my memoir stories. I do need to write, polish, and post five or six more stories. That is my goal before reaching age 90 next year.
Due to my participation in the Writers Alliance of Gainesville and my pod, I am beginning to explore the possibility of publishing a book of stories titled PATTIE REMEMBERS. In WAG, authors and writers knowledgeable about publishing surround me, with a laudable willingness to advise me and others on the process of publishing.
For me, WAG membership proves to be as good as, or better than, having a boyfriend!
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Learn more about WAG’s critique pods HERE. And if you want to know more about critique groups in general, author Jane Friedman’s synopsis is a good place to start.
[Ed.’s Note: This is the first of an occasional series of WAG members’ testimonials -Testimonials to the Writing Life. What can that possibly mean? Why, anything that you as a writer experience while living the writing life. If you’re interested in sharing your experiences, please contact Cynthia Bertelsen, WAG’s blogmaster.]
Susie H. Baxter
What a great endorsement of WAG’s critique pods from one who is an inspiration to me. She is active in the Marketing Coalition and keeps the rest of us apprised of meetings. I’ve enjoyed reading Pattie’s posts on her own blog. If you haven’t, check them out! And thanks to Cynthia Bertelsen for bringing these new “Testimonials to the Writing Life” to us. A great addition to our blog. I hope more WAG members will join the blogging team.
Connie Morrison
Pattie, I applaud you for your get-up and get-out attitude, and your writing style is a treat to read. You are a valuable addition to WAG, the Marketing Coalition, and to our Life History II group. I’m happy to have met you!
Marie Q Rogers
Pattie, I love reading your stories. You have led an interesting life and, more important, continue to do so.
Joan H. Carter
I’m delighted to know you, Pattie. I’ve heard so much about you, and we’ve chatted at meetings, but until I saw your picture here, I hadn’t put it all together! Congratulations on your writing accomplishments. I enjoyed your post, and I look forward to reading more of your work.
Bonnie T. Ogle
Patty, good for you! What an amazing life and what great fodder for a memoir! Too often, we seniors are dismissed by younger people. If they only knew the life experiences and consequent knowledge behind our faces. Thanks for sharing.
Ann-Marie Magné
I am so jealous of the Dissociates Memoir Pod. They get you AND snacks. What a terrific endorsement for WAG and our pods. Thanks, Pattie.
Barbara Cox
Pattie, your blog was so riveting that I went to your personal website to read more. Your writing resonates with color and sincerity. If you do publish a book of memories, I’ll be first in line to buy a copy. Your writing makes me want to meet you…especially since I’m about your age and fancy that I have a writing style similar to yours. —Thanks for your cheering entry.