Grand Junction Writers Cooperative

Grand Junction Writers Cooperative writers' promotion an avenue to market and promote local writing talent outside the immediate area.

02/01/2013

Hey, writers and other hobbyists! I just ran across an old quote from Garrison Keillor. Read and think on it. "I think that book publishing is about to slide into the sea. We live in a literate time, and our children are writing up a storm, often combining letters and numerals (UR 2 1derful)...The future of publishing: 18 million authors in America, each with an average of 14 readers, eight of whom are blood relatives. Average annual earnings: $1.75."

12/17/2012

Here is an opposing view of the Holidays from one of our favorite wits, Jeff Dershem. Read and enjoy in two abridged installments.

The Not So Happy Holidays

We all have certain people we hear from only during the holidays. The rest of the year they might as well be residents of another galaxy. Call them, e-mail them, try as you might you won't get a response. For some reason though, come Thanksgiving of Christmas, they suddenly feel the need to reconnect.
This would be fine and dandy except that the chosen method of reconnection is the lengthy holiday letter. We've all received them. We all dread them. They all start, "Dear friends and relataives of the Fudd family," and go on from there so all the writer has to do is make the appropriate number of copies.
Next comes a very detailed account of everything that has happened since the last holiday epistle. Now when you used to see these people, they never showed a hint of being the kind that would subject someone they cared for to this kind of torture. They seemed like normal people. Now that some distance separated you, however, they feel comfortable in showint their true colors.
I recognize these types of letters without even opening them. And without knowing the writer I can recite their letter almost verbatim because they all follow the same tried and true formula. The opening line is always something like, "Hope the holidays find you in the best of health," and then the author goes on to describe in excruciating detail every accident and illness that has befallen their family in the last year.
"Doctors tell us there is little hope that our precious boy Elmer will ever outgrow his speech impediment. He may also have to give up his dream of becoming a barefoot kicker in the NFL after having an anvil dropped on his big toe. We're still not clear on the particulars of this little accident. All we got out of Elmer at the hospital was something about a 'waskily wabbit,' whatever that is."
After continuing for seven more paragraphs, the writer goes on to tell his stupefied audience how all this suffering doesn't matter, particularly at this time of the year because family memberw will get their just reware come the end of days. Next follows a list of all the altruistic deeds family members have performed that ensure the family's place at the foot of the throne in the hereafter.
"Even though we had our share of troubles, the Fudds rejoine in the knowledte that our good deeds assure us a place in heaven. We have just returned from a mission to the head-hunting pigmy tribes of New Guinea. We are happy to say that as a result of our efforts, the number of heads taken is at an all-time low. Now they just send each other nasty tweets like civilized people."

12/05/2012

Coming into the Holiday Season, here are a few weekly selections. They feature opposing views on the subject. First, enjoy this poem by Evalon Shires.

Christmas, for me, is . . .

I have heard some people state,
"How silly to see here on display
in retail stores this Christmas stuff.
There's trees and bells and sleighs.

"Why, Halloween is yet to come,
And summer chores aren't even done."
They cluck their tongues and shake their heads.
"The autumn time has just begun."

Those around them also nod.
"It's such a rip-off, such a chore.
Christmas is so commercialized,
I just don't bother anymore."

But I consider it a joy,
A banquet for the eye.
To see Christmas any day,
Even the Fourth of July.

What could be more magical?
Enchanting to the max.
A gathering of evergreens,
Of holly, wreaths, AND SNACKS.

The whole world, it seems to me,
Gleefully joins in song.
Everywhere a person looks,
The party's going on.

Beyond the hype and the outward scene,
Is the most meaningful ingredient of this melange;
The uplifted heart, the soul filled with affection
For everyone else, of man.

You see, Christmas isn't commercialized.
It's for the affluent, the impoverished,
The middleclass masses.

If you turn from the season,
Don't see it or hear it,
You may keep your money,
But you'll be poorer in spirit.

10/23/2012

What's bubbling at GJWC? The next writers' competition will be for elementary, middle school, and high school grades ages. We have gotten such good participation in the past from these ages, we'll do it agian. If you want an entry form and submission requirements packet, e-mail [email protected].
Also, if no one volunteers to be a featured writer for a month, you may have to suffer through another poem by Evalon Shires.

09/04/2012

If anyone would be interested in being one of our featured writers for a month, please let us know. All that is needed is four short excerpts from anything that you have written.

08/07/2012

Our featured writer of August is Jeff Dershem.
Jeff Dershem is a native of Grand Junction, CO. He has always liked playing with words and the infinite combination of meanings and emotions they can produce. He holds a BS in Physics from Mesa State College (now CMU) and his main genre is non-fiction, but he occasionally writes fiction as well. His work has been published in Colorado Country Life, Grand Valley Magazine, and Things To Do.

07/31/2012

The last in the series written by Evalon Shires, a poem on the death of a sister.

(untitled)
Now let me depart
From the fun and good will
To the dark side of heaven,
The side that is still.

No talking, no contact,
No viewpoint, no plea,
Will ruin a friendship.
There'll be no more 'we'.

That's happened in my life,
My sister and I
Lost years of closeness
From being, not shy,

But offended and angered
By unwise advice
Meant to make better
With no sacrifice.

She never did say,
She never would hint,
And let me take back
What she thought I meant.

Then finally she talked
To unburden her mind
Of grudges that festered.
She knew it was time.

She wanted to live.
She wanted to stay.
But she knew that her life
Was slipping away.

I said 'sorry' to her.
She said 'sorry' to me.
We got some things settled,
But not completely.

Now she is gone.
The veil has been crossed.
We mourn for her soul and
The time that was lost.

Address

Grand Junction, CO
81503

Telephone

+19702419178

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Grand Junction Writers Cooperative posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Grand Junction Writers Cooperative:

Shortcuts

Share

Category