Shiretown Scribes pen book

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
TAKING A LOOK — Leigh Griffiths, left, and Pat Hogan take a look at the new “Shiretown Scribes,” first published works of prose.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Local writers have published a 20-page “Anthology of Short Stories and Poems” to express themselves through another art form.
    Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project (SACAP) began a writing class about two years ago because of the interest in this area, according to participant and SACAP President Bob Cowperthwaite. The 501c(3) non-profit group’s mission is to help the arts flourish in southern Aroostook County.
    “A variety of people have been involved,” Cowperthwaite said. “We’ve had roughly 40 or more in the group at various times. There is a significant list of people. Many, who travel from a distance, have shown an interest.”
    Visions is a shop selling artwork and quality handcrafted work — from original paintings and photography, prints, greeting cards, pottery, jewelry, hand-knit and hand-painted clothing, quilts, alpaca yarn, woven rugs, woodwork items, home decor, musical CDs, sheet music and books — by regional artists.
    The Blue Moon Gallery located within Visions offers exhibits of artwork by local artists and guilds, as well as thematic group shows.
    The writing group meets every other Wednesday, unless there is a holiday, from 6-8 p.m. in the backroom of Visions on Main Street.
    “It’s a challenge to do it,” Cowperthwaite said.
    Mark Arndt helped initiate the writing group in February 2009.
    “I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and we were talking about things you can do in Houlton,” he said. “Houlton really doesn’t advertise a lot of the things that it has for people to do, but once you start looking, there is quite a bit to do in town.”
    Arndt was directed to Visions and that’s how it all began.
    “Basically, it is a chance for anyone to know what is being written in the area and what local writers are working on,” Arndt said. “It gives us a chance to meet and talk about the writing process, as well as  different things that have crossed our lives in the last couple of weeks and how we react to it. It’s also a chance to reflect on one another’s writing.”
    Currently, the group has 12 writers attending the Wednesday classes, but the numbers vary each time.
    “We have youth from fifth grade to writers in their 80s,” said Cowperthwaite.
    The writing group is interactive, with people reading their stories and receiving feedback on the pieces.
    “We have a writing prompt, if they chose to write about that,” explained Cowperthwaite. “We share that first at the meeting then pieces that they write themselves whether poetry, prose or whatever it might be. They read them and we critique them as a group. I say we are “user friendly.” I don’t think people are intimidated to read their pieces aloud.”
    Leigh Griffiths agrees.
    “Everyone is very positive in the group,” she said. “It’s a very comfortable group to read before and to get reactions if you are on the right track.”
    Pat Hogan has attended the group twice.
    “I found it encouraging for someone who wants to write,” she said. “I found that very nice. I found the group very welcoming to a new person coming through the door. What I heard from the readings that were read on their writings, awesome, really wonderful work.
    “But, what I don’t understand is someone, new like myself, coming in and the last one that I read they said it makes sense. Well, it did make sense, but again, I wanted to grow from that. I didn’t get the feedback on how to grow and how to learn.”
    “She’s looking for more critiquing and that’s where the group is actually headed toward right now,” added Cowperthwaite. “Our critiquing is gentle. We are not tough on people.”
    Arndt explained it’s “on-the-spot” critiquing.
    “We’ve talked about more in-depth critiquing,” he said. “But, we haven’t got to that point yet. I am looking forward to us working toward that point where we can have in-depth critiquing. It will be pretty interesting when we get to that level.”
    Potential writers are now sending their writing through the e-mail for the group to read and critique and then respond back to them.
    “It’s extended to more than just meeting in the back room,” said Cowperthwaite.
    Arndt would like to see more young people in the group.
    “It’s really worthwhile,” he said. “I would like to see high school teachers who recognize a student who is doing well with the writing or even not doing really well, [to direct the student to the group.] The student could expand more on their writing ability.
    “We provide encouragement,” he added. “It’s a big part of what we do … the function we serve for one another.”
    After two years, the SACAP writing group known as the Shiretown Scribes has published its first booklet.
    “There have been authors from the area, but this is the first publication, as near as I know, from a group of writers who have ever published [a book] from the area,” said Cowperthwaite. “I thought that was quite impressive.”
    The publication has gone to print and the group has sold a “significant number,” according to Cowperthwaite.
    “One dedicated participant stepped up to the plate and paid for the total publication,” he said.
    The book’s cover was designed by Avery Kibler, who has since moved away, with SACAP’s logo also on the front. The book cost $8 and was printed by Aroostook Print Shop.
    “The sales from this will go to produce our next publication,” said Cowperthwaite. “We have enough right now to do two to three more publications. The book was published prior to the Winter Arts and Craft Fair and it is fair to say we’ve sold 70 to 80 copies already. The pieces from local people are from their hearts.”
    Cowperthwaite noted there was plenty of editing for the first publication.
    “We took a long time to do that,” he said. “We made modest changes not significant changes. I feel it’s an exceptional endeavor that we have taken on and the enthusiasm is sparking me to continue to facilitate the group.”
    Along with the writing group’s normal routine, special writing workshops are held. The last one was instructed by local author Shonna Milliken.
    “She showed us simple things in writing a piece,” explained Cowperthwaite. “We wrote several pieces and then we went back and rewrote it without the “I” or without “ly” and “ing” at the end of the words. Writers get into traps and habits of overusing the language.”
    The workshop drew about 30 people.
    “We had many participants who are not normally on our list,” said Cowperthwaite. “We received exceptional information. A request from most of the members is that we would like to continue and have her back and do more.”
    Since Milliken’s visit, additional people have offered to instruct workshops for writers. The next writing workshop is scheduled for May 23 at Houlton Regional Hospital’s Education Center, with Jan Grieco from 6-8 p.m.
    “The group  has expanded and the direction we will go will be governed by the needs of the group,” said Cowperthwaite. “We have discussed dividing the group into beginners and more experienced writers, but the consensus is that we stay together because we learn from each other.”
    As the Shiretown Scribes prepare for another publication, those interested in becoming writers are always invited.
    An important aspect for Arndt is that more people become engaged in writing.
    “I’d like to see people come who have never written before other than at school or work,” he said. “Come and see that this is a very enjoyable pastime.”