Manhattan Beach writing group publishes book
- Gwen Binegar, Sandra Reilly, Ann Gere and Nell Gillis are members of the Older Adults writing group in Manhattan Beach. The group just published a book of short stories called, “Everyone Has a Story.” PHOTO BY ALENE TCHEKMEDYIAN
A handful of elderly women sat around a table one recent morning in the community center of the Manhattan Senior Villas with printed-out poems and short stories laid out before them among plates of muffins, crackers and mugs of coffee.
“I brought a poem — I’m going to read you the poem,” said Gwen Binegar, the group’s leader, as she passed around copies of her poem, “Florida Afternoon.”
“Look at the sky; it’s going to rain./The blue sky was gone,/no fluffy white cumulus–/ just dark grays – ominous,” she read, as the group followed along.
“Kaboom, boom!” she bellowed, a few verses later. The group chuckled. “A near-by thunderous clap.”
She finished her poem.
“Nice,” said Ann Gere, a 50-year Manhattan Beach resident and 8-month member of the group.
“Very nice,” added Sandra Reilly, a new member.
“The ‘kaboom’ in the middle, that’s great,” Gere continued.
The writers are part of the city’s Older Adults Program writing group. The group recently published a collection of short stories, “Everyone Has a Story,” which is available at the Joslyn Community Center in Manhattan Beach.
Binegar started the group three years ago with Nell Gillis – the group currently has about nine consistent members, men and women. Discussing everything from how to spell “surreptitious” to the death of a spouse, the members support each other as they pen their memoirs and experiences, or simply just their quirky stories.
Members say they come back because it gives them structure and keeps them writing.
“I wouldn’t write if I were just on my own, just like I don’t exercise if I’m left to myself,” said Gere, adding, “It’s been encouraging.”
Reilly enjoys seeing improvements in her writing. “I like the critiquing part,” Reilly said. “I think the harsher it is, the better it is for me to learn and get better. Otherwise, I feel like I’m constantly treading water. And I don’t want to tread water. I want to get to the other side.”
Binegar, however, is careful when critiquing because she insists on preserving the writer’s voice. “I’m reluctant to change wording to what I think might be better because it interferes with their thinking,” she said.
“That’s where we’re complementary because I don’t have any trouble doing that whatsoever!” Gillis said, laughing.