Writing your life

Submitted by Evelyn C. McDonald
Arts & Culture Reporter

August 20, 2015, 11:00 a.m.

Terri Dean
Terri Dean

It’s amazing that we live in a town where people give of their time, talents, and in this case, facilities for the benefit of our citizens. Last Monday Terri Dean, a local author of a book called Traveling Stories, presented a workshop on journaling. No, not double entry bookkeeping but rather writing about your life.

Dean said that keeping a journal can help you in a practical way – reminding and recalling events. It can also help you in a personal way – just plain venting and working through issues. Terri commented that writing in a journal can be as effective as meditation. There are no rules beyond just writing.

One of the exercises we did was to get magazines, scissors and glue and make a collage relating to our goals, ideas or anything we wanted. I think the last time I made a collage; I was in grade school and we were eating paste as a side dish. (Don’t scoff. I bet you secretly ate paste in grade school. It was a sad day when we graduated to Elmer’s Glue, not nearly as tasty.)

In case you think journaling is not for you, consider this. Much of what we know of our families is oral tradition. And it gets lost in the transition from generation to generation. Journaling can be a good way to preserve your family’s stories for your grandchildren.

Terri Dean is an entertaining presenter – relaxed, funny and knowledgeable. While the workshop was a good example of the kind of events that can enrich our lives, the venue was equally interesting. The workshop was held upstairs at the Book Loft on Centre Street. The owner, Sue Nelson, is very community minded, realizing that those of us who live here are her constituency. Tourists provide extras but we keep the store going.
In September, they will be offering the first of two 6 week French language sessions.

416265_385660321458146_825563802_oThe Book Loft features writers, both local and out of town, who present their books and give background on their writing careers and stories. The Book Loft also partners with other organizations to hold special events. It may be a sherry tea in support of the Book Festival or a joint book presentation with a local church.
I leave you with two thoughts. One is that in a climate where organizations too often think cooperation is a “zero sum game”, the Book Loft’s attitude of being part of the community is refreshing. The other is Terri’s suggestion that without imagination, nothing new happens

Evelyn McDonaldEvelyn McDonald moved to Fernandina Beach from the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. in 2006. She is a chair of Arts & Culture Nassau, a city commission charged with support of the arts in Nassau County. She serves on FSCJ’s Curriculum Committee for the Center for Lifelong Learning. She is also the chair of the Dean’s Council for the Carpenter Library at the UNF. Ms. McDonald has MS in Technology Management from the University of Maryland’s University College and a BA in Spanish from the University of Michigan.

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Lynne Anderson
Lynne Anderson(@lynne-anderson)
8 years ago

Hello Evelyn — I’m really enjoying your postings. Keep up the good work!

RaffaelaMarie Fenn
RaffaelaMarie Fenn (@guest_43296)
8 years ago

Love your items, Evelyn!
You do a fabulous job of capturing the ethos of a place or event. Keep ’em coming.

Janie Wilkins
Janie Wilkins (@guest_43297)
8 years ago

Please come to my book release reception at Book Loft today, August 21, 2015 from 4-5;30 P.M. at 204 Centre Street. Please call The Book Loft at 261-8991 to RSVP for Janie Wilkins’s book # 3, ‘Let’s Roll:Granma Janie Rocks.” Hope to see you there!