Rowethorpe group on the write track

Each fortnight, an industrious group of established and budding scribes gather to compare stories at the Rowethorpe Writers Group.

Members come up with a new topic at the end of each meeting, then head off to their respective writing settings to craft an entertaining tale they can share with the group two weeks later.

Long time Rowethorpe RetirementLiving Community resident Michelle Denise has become a fixture of the group for the past 13 years and keeps everything ticking over.

“It’s so interesting, the diversity of what stories come out of the subjects – it’s amazing,” Michelle said.

“The person that writes the story, always reads it best.”

Meetings prove a great communal get-together for village residents with the resulting stories ranging from the hilarious to tearjerkers.

The self-described “baby of the group” Fran Roberts who joined about a year ago, appreciates all the laughs and camaraderie that the group provided and said it had helped her become more creative.

Along with sharing her short stories with the group, published author Kisane Slaney took parts of her latest novel The Heiress to meetings while it was taking shape to gather valuable feedback.

Group member Bryan Hughes said he enjoyed how writing about such a diverse mix of topics stimulate the grey matter, and he always looks forward to sharing his latest yarn.

A bigger audience for the group’s stories might not be too far away with plans to develop a half-hour show for community radio.

“We’re always looking for new members, even if they just want to come along to listen, it’s a lot of fun,” Michelle said.