By Rodney A. Franklin
 

          The Valley Writers, southwest Virginia’s oldest existing writers group, open to all who are interested in writing, will celebrate its 28th anniversary this spring at its current meeting place, the Unitarian Universalist Church in Roanoke.

          Valley Writers was formed in the spring of 1982 by several writers who had just completed a creative writing course instructed by David Barudin at Roanoke College. Several inspired by Barudin’s program thought similar sessions worth continuing. Artemis, a poetry group, existed, but nothing was available for those interested in nonfiction, the short story, novel, or drama. Recognizing the need for such, Helen Barranger, James Moore, Nancy Rock, Mary Jo Shannon, Ed Sandhaus, and I met at the YWCA on Jefferson Street on May 13, 1982 (the date of origin). At this meeting, we agreed that: we would call ourselves the Valley Writers. Our purpose would be to offer area writers a forum for exchanging and critiquing each others’ work. We would be an informal group with none of the standard organizational trappings, i.e., officers, committee chairmen, dues, etc. Subsequent meetings would be held at the Roanoke County Library on Electric Road. Though Nancy Rock, an employee at The Roanoke Times, had arranged this meeting, Ed Sandhaus would lead future meetings. When Ed moved to St. Louis a few months later, I became the group coordinator.

          In the summer of 1984, Valley Writers teamed with Artemis, the local chapter of American Association of University Women chapter, and representatives from Hollins and Roanoke Colleges to establish the first Blue Ridge Writers Conference. The Conference, first held in autumn 1984 held at Roanoke College, became an annual affair until the late 1990s when it was moved to Virginia Tech where after a couple of years it was discontinued.

          In the spring of 1985, the Valley Writers moved its meetings to the Parks and Recreation Building on Reserve Avenue. The group met there until it moved to Elm Park Estates near Tanglewood Mall where it met for the next nine years. From there, the group moved its meetings across Route 419 to Barnes and Nobles. In 2002, the group moved its meetings to St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Church, where it met through December 2008. In January 2009, however, we moved to Ukrops on Franklin Road. When Ukrops closed in October 2009, we moved to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, where we meet at present.

          I passed the gavel to Ernie Reynolds in 1989, who, in turn, passed it to Bud Feuer, in 1991. That spring, we invited Gordon Bennett from the Virginia Writers Club to speak at one of our meetings. Apparently, Bennett was impressed with our group because he invited us to affiliate with the Virginia Writers Club which has been in existence since 1918. On October 3, 1992, the Virginia Writers Club presented us our charter, making us until this year the westernmost chapter of the eight chapters around the Commonwealth. Bud Feuer became our first president under the new organization.

          Both Ernie and Bud have since passed away.

          Over the years, the Valley Writers has offered area writers many fine programs featuring writers such as Gordon Bennett, Amanda Cockrell, Grace Toney Edwards, Parks Lanier, Jim Minnick, Pinckney Benedict, Janet Poindexter, and Keith Ferrell. We have also conducted seminars and readings at area libraries and retirement centers. We have done public readings at the Roanoke Library on Jefferson Street, several area nursing homes, and a special dinner program at the Chateau Morrisette on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Leonel and Nancy Valle and Cinda Crawford arranged the Chateau Morrisette program.

          Why has Valley Writers survived when other writers groups have quietly folded their tents? The reasons, I think, are that we have kept our purpose clearly in mind, we’ve moved very little, we’ve had competent leadership, and we have provided a forum for those genuinely interested in developing their writing skills.

          At a typical meeting, we share information about opportunities for writers and about our own experiences, and we critique each others’ work. In our critiques, we try to be constructive, objective, and forthright in our reactions and suggestions. Before a work is read, the writer understands that final say as to whether or not suggestions offered are incorporated into a given piece is the author’s, that suggestions may be used only if the author determines such enhances and strengthens the piece.

          Over the years, we have held two meetings a month, except for December when, for several years we held only one meeting (we have since resumed the holding of two meetings in December). Our attendance has jumped from an average of eight to 14. (It is not unusual to have 20 attending a regular meeting. When we have a guest speaker, attendance is usually around 30.

          Of the several hundred who have attended one or more meetings since 1982, the serious writers have stuck with the group. A number have published books, won contests, and have written for local publications. Bud Feuer, with twelve books and over 500 articles published, has been our most prolific writer. Heather Froeschl, John Koelsch, Ed Mitchell, James Morrison, Becky Mushko, Dick Raymond, Wayne White, and I have authored books and/or appeared frequently in local publications, some of which are Prime Living, The Roanoker, The Roanoke Times, The Bedford Bulletin and The Smith Mountain Eagle.

          In 1998, Bud Feuer ceded the gavel to Jim Morrison who led Valley Writers until 2002. I followed Jim from 2003 through 2004. Chuck McCorvey, in 2005, became our seventh leader followed by Sharon Myers, the first woman to lead our chapter. In January 2006, Cinda Crawford became the second woman to serve as Valley Writers president. In January, Jim Morrison, again, became our leader. On 1 January 2010, the gavel was passed to Betsy Ashton who became the third woman to lead the chapter. Her officers include Donna Knox, vice president, Ken Thornberry, secretary, and Richard “Dick” Raymond, treasurer. Dick has been our secretary or treasurer—at times, both—since 1998, thus holding the distinction of being the officer having served continuously for 12 years.

          Some members of Valley Writers have helped form other writers’ groups in the area. In 2000, Jim Morrison founded the Lake Writers at Smith Mountain Lake, the literary branch of the Smith Mountain Arts Council. In 2006, Chuck McCorvey, Sharon Myers, and Cinda Crawford left Valley Writers and formed Blue Ridge Pens. As our chapter continues to grow, it may well splinter again. This is fine. Ours is to help writers at all skill levels hone their writing skills. If this end can be served by members splintering into smaller groups, our purpose has been served.

          Writers are a quirky lot. With egos jumping all over the place, there is no shortage of pop and crackle at meetings. That’s as it should be. But meetings must be controlled, else nothing gets accomplished, Betsy has done a masterful job in maintaining “theater discipline” at our meetings. Only one person speaks at a time, and then only when recognized. Our philosophy is each of us should leave meetings eager to get back to our writing.

          The most salient feature of a writers’ group is the repository of knowledge around the table at any given meeting. Our members come from the administrative, business, construction, education, engineering, health care, journalism, law enforcement, military, pet care, and sales, and other worlds are present. Whatever the background, or educational level—our members range from high school dropout to PhDs—we share one commonality: a passion for writing.

          In May 2010, we began our 28th year of continued service to writers of all skill levels. We believe each has a story to tell, and we’re here to offer encouragement and assistance when asked. Though none of us has written the Great American Novel, each has enjoyed a measure of success proportionate to effort.

          Our Group Motto: Reading to discover the worlds of others, writing to discover our own.

          Of the six founders, Rodney A. Franklin is the only active member.

          The Valley Writers meet the first and third Thursdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Road SW (near Patrick Henry High School). Published and aspiring writers are welcome. For more information, contact Betsy Ashton (by phone, 540-297-5495, or e-mail) or Dick Raymond (by phone, 344-0736, or e-mail).