Manheim Township townlively.com
AUGUST 2, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIX • NO 10
There’s always something fresh going on with GOTR
Local writers hone their craft together
BY JEFF FALK
Members of the Manheim Township Writers Group offer constructive criticism. BY JEFF FALK
riters may toil on their own much of the time, but those who are looking for camaraderie and opportunities to hone their craft have a local resource at their disposal: the Manheim Township Writers Group. “Writing is a very solitary thing,” said Melinda Newmin, the leader and spokesperson for the group. “It’s you and your computer. The purpose of the group is to give writers a place to congregate. There’s also a lot of learning that can come from critiquing. It teaches you to have tougher skin. It’s camaraderie, getting your work viewed by someone else, and it’s a toughening-up process.” The Manheim Township Writers Group currently consists of 10 writers or aspiring writers, some of
think my writing became more interesting. I like letting my characters be characters. If you stay true to your characters, it’s always the right thing.” The Manheim Township Writers Group was formed 11 years ago through the efforts of local author Lis King. “(King) felt a need to start this group, and when she left, I took it over for her,” said Newmin. “The people who are in it have changed, but the format has not changed. Many people have one book in them. They write it and get out.” “There are thousands of writers living among us,” said Newmin. “They struggle alone, and it’s a very tough job. We have very serious people who want to be professional writers. Folks genuinely want to be published. They’re trying to learn and brush up on their work.”
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whom have been published and group by email,” said Newmin. some of whom haven’t. They are “Everyone gets reviews, comments mostly local residents who range in and suggestions for change. We age from 18 all the way up to people discuss them. We ask, ‘What did everyone see in the in their 60s. writing?’ It’s supposed Newmin said that traditionally 90% of “There’s also a lot to be constructive.” Writing a book is a the group members o f l e a r n i n g t h a t huge undertaking have been primarily c a n c o m e f r o m requiring time, comnovelists, but past and present members critiquing. It teaches mitment, prioritizing have also produced you to have tougher and organizational skills. Newmin classiworks of nonfiction, skin.” fies writers into two memoirs, poems, general categories cookbooks and joke architects, who lay out stringent books. The Manheim Township Writers plans for their books and then folGroup meets for 90 minutes to two low them precisely, and gardeners, hours on the first, third and fifth who “get an idea, throw it in the Tuesdays of each month at the ground and see what sprouts.” “I write for myself,” said Newmin, Manheim Township Public Library. “What we do is take three writ- the author of two published science ers and have them submit their fiction novels. “When I stopped trywork to the other members of the ing to guess what people wanted, I
Girls on the Run (GOTR) is always active, always evolving, always moving forward. A national initiative designed to support the development of girls in the third through eighth grades with physical activities like running, GOTR has a mission that is seasonal in nature. On the heels of a successful spring campaign, the Lancaster chapter of GOTR is currently gearing up for its 10-week fall season, which will get underway on Monday, Sept. 11. In addition, Girls on the Run recently assigned new positions and responsibilities to employees Jennifer West and Kylie Homan. “While Girls on the Run has two seasons, it is a year-round effort to ensure the success of each season,” said West, GOTR’s new executive director. “As a staff, it’s our responsibility to set up our coaches for success. Then it all starts again. We’re always thinking of how we can engage the community more. We know how important it is for girls to have a safe place to land.” Registration for GOTR’s fall campaign will run from Thursday, Aug. 10, through Friday, Sept. 15. The season will conclude on Sunday, Nov. 19, with GOTR’s inclusive and celebratory 5K run at Millersville University. “My job is to ensure our program is up and running so we can serve as many girls in
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