Seniors of Tennessee

Senior Citizens Writing: A Workshop and Anthology, with an Introduction and Guide for Workshop Leaders

Description

The number of seniors in our population is burgeoning and will continue to grow. Seniors are eager to tell their stories, explain their philosophies, create fictions, and vent their anger at the injustices they perceive in the nation and the world. In SENIOR CITIZENS WRITING, renowned teacher and writer W. Ross Winterowd describes in his introduction how writing workshops for seniors not only provide an audience but also give them opportunities for the intellectual growth and engagement that everyone wants and needs. Included in this anthology are new poems, stories, and essays by Michelle Barany, Robert Barany, Robert "Bud" Brower, Irene Clifford, Royal L. Craig, Gerry Gooding, Vi Hinton, Mary Dickson Jenkins, Paul Sammy Larkin, Anna Pinter, and Arthur Weiland. ABOUT THE AUTHOR W. Ross Winterowd is the Bruce R. McElderry Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California, where he founded its PhD program in Rhetoric, Linguistics, and Literature. He has authored, co-authored, or edited many essays, reviews, poems, and books, including SEARCHING FOR FAITH: A SKEPTIC'S JOURNEY (2004), THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT: AN INSTITUTIONAL AND PERSONAL HISTORY (1998), and THE CULTURE AND POLITICS OF LITERACY (1989). He has been leading writing workshops for seniors in Huntington Beach, California, since 1997.

Reviews

Rating: 1 / 5
Date: 2009-05-14
Summary: "Senior Citizens Writing: A Workshop and Anthology, with an Introduction and Guide for Workshop Leaders, by W. Ross Winterowd"

I bought this book as an accompaniment to a writing class I was facilitating at an assisted living center, hoping that I would find some interesting anecdotes and helpful information about working effectively with the senior citizen population and writing in particular, but I did not. I also found the book's organization to be difficult to follow. The introduction goes right into the anthology without a clear explanation, the author's critiques are not clearly defined from the participants' works, and it is not clear if the author is speaking/writing to the reader or to the workshop writer. All of this continually raises the question..."what am I reading?" I can't think of a logical reason why there are not more clearly defined sections, unless it was just to save paper. I would not recommend this book, it clearly needs further editing.

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2007-02-06
Summary: "A Treasure Chest Of Precious Histories"

Bravo to W. Ross Winterowd for using his talents, knowledge and experience, to conduct writing workshops for Seniors, enabling them to put to paper their precious stories, so future generations may enjoy and drink in the history of their ancestors. And more praise to him for taking the time and energy to help put together this wonderful anthology of essays, contributed by the everyday people in his workshop.

As we get older(and there are so many of us 'Boomers' approaching the next phase of our lives), we may feel the need to leave a little something of ourselves, not just materially but so that our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all those to follow may know just who we were. "Senior Citizens Writing" is a book should be held up as an example to all who have even thought about writing their life stories, but didn't think they had it in them to be a writer. You don't have to have a degree in Literature or have been a person who's deeds changed the world to make a difference in someone's life by writing about your own. The contributors of this book are as diverse in their lifestyles and education as they are unique in their writing style. The selections for you to peruse and be inspired by are a marvelous mix of memoirs, poetry, and sometimes a story told in the form of a future autobiographical novella based on life's experiences. They are full of substance and emotion and may evoke a laugh, or a tear, and even some of your own memories waiting to be told. The thrill of first love, WWII through a child's eyes in Europe, growing up in a family of 10 brothers and sisters, making do, Holiday memories and many more.

It is certainly a book to inspire and motivate others to put their own stories down, but also serves a very important and invaluable 2nd purpose as well. In the introduction by Winterowd, you will find his philosophies on Senior Writing,that may put some at ease about their worries of the mechanics of writing, and also for anyone who may be inspired to lead a workshop of your own,you will find some great tips here, for example the value of feedback to the writers.

The read of these stories are most enjoyable, even if you are not planning on writing. Each writer has contributed up to 4 selections, and you really start to feel like you know them.

Among the selections are:
"Homeward"...Michelle Barany
"Coal Camp Entertainment"...Robert Barany"
"Morning Tour"...Bud Brower
"Andy"...Irene Clifford
"Fishing"...Royal L. Craig
"Our Cuban Prison"...Gerry Gooding
"VJ Day in Aruba"...Vi Hinton
"1937-1940"...Mary Jenkins (also includes some earlier years as well)
"Various Memoires"...Paul Sammy Larkin
"The First House My Dad Built"...Anna Pinter
"Hats"...Art Weiland ((includes some lovely photos of 'Stell' in hats for all occasions)

So as you can see, the subjects are diverse and all encompassing. As you read them, you will come to see each individual personality shining through. It is part of what makes these life stories so amazingly wonderful. Also have a look at the bios included of these retired but full of life writers. Their enthusiasm and energy is boundless.

The book is a treasure chest of precious histories and will provide you with the inspiration to write your own stories, as well as some enjoyable reading.Highly recommended.

What are ya waiting for?.. The world awaits your story! Start writing and enjoy the read....Laurie