Writers' group offers forum, publishing tips
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Bill Durfree, right, listens and reads along as Tabitha Caswell recites one of her poems about the serenity of nature. The South Santa Rosa Writers Group will have published author Dann Wallis speak at their next meeting, March 13.

"When I first came here all I did was write poetry. I listened to these short stories and novels and thought 'I want to try that.' Now I have two [novels] going."

- Bill Durfree Retiree turned Author

There is one place in South Santa Rosa County where androids that resemble Capt. James T. Kirk and psychotic war veterans who harbor romantic feelings for their sniper rifles can co-exist. These characters exist on the pages of literary creations from local writers who meet bimonthly to share their stories, resources and experiences.

Every second and fourth Tuesday the South Santa Rosa Writers meet at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Navarre. The meetings usually last from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and feature the talents of writers from all walks of life. The group is eager to hear many different types of literature. Members are encouraged to bring their short stories, poems, novels or memoirs from all genres to read and offer constructive criticism to others for the enrichment of all present.

Wallis

Bill Durfee is retired and used the open, amicable atmosphere of the group to help him recover from a stroke.

"Some of us are here just for the fun of it, just to hear the variety of writing," explained Durfee. "When I first came here all I did was write poetry. I listened to these short stories and novels and thought 'I want to try that.' Now I have two [novels] going."

Virginia Brown remembers the first time a nervous and still recovering Durfee came to the group.

"One of the most poignant I'd ever seen was when Bill first came to us," said Brown, a technologically savvy, 79- year-old, retired nurse. "He brought a poem and was stumbling through it. Someone asked if he wanted help and he said 'No. I need the practice.' Since then, he's relaxed and become part of the group."

The group's member ship includes retirees from a variety of backgrounds and younger members who work as pharmacy techs, beauticians, and journalists. The diversity of the organization adds to the sundry of tales being discussed every other Tuesday night.

"We want to further the literary aspects of Santa Rosa County," said Joyce Porter, who has been apart of the group since a month after its inception three and a half years ago. "We want to e n c o u r a g e writers. We want to help each other meet our goals."

One way the group helps novice authors meet their goals is by discussing the different aspects of the publishing industry. With that line of thought in mind, the South Santa Rosa Writers welcome a guest speaker, published author Dann Wallis, to their next meeting, March 13.

Wallis, who currently lives in Niceville, Fla., has published short stories, poems and articles before writing his novel, "Burnin' Daylight," which was recently published by Authorhouse in 2005.

For more information about Wallis, visit www.dannwallis.com. For more information about South Santa Rosa Writers meetings, call Nancy Forester at 850- 936-6889 or email her at lilysmom49@mchsi.com.