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RI CAN Writers Hope To Get Published
Originally published in the Charelstown Press on 10/21/10
By Patricia Ann Chaffee

From left rear: Adriana Vinas, Shirley Richardson, Dr. Dave Oliver, front: Christine Smith, Robert Miller, David Andrews, Rosemarie Hunt. Missing from the photo: Judy Kaplin and Cheryl Goeway.

CHARLESTOWN - Rhode Island Center Assisting Those in Need is always looking for new ways to support the people in its community. Earlier this year two volunteers came up with the idea to form a writing group to create a venue for people to share their stories.

Shirley Richardson and Judy Kaplin founded the group, with the intention not only to support the cathartic process of writing, but also to raise money for RI CAN by publishing an anthology of the collected works of the group.

They approached Robert Miller, who had a background teaching English literature, and thought his experience might be just what the group needed to guide its way to publishing.

"I enjoy reading other peoples writing and had written some poetry myself," says Miller, who seized the opportunity to increase his volunteer efforts with the organization.

The group began meeting last February and continues to meet every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Cross’ Mills Library at 4417 Old Post Road. There are several regular attendees, as well as others who drop in occasionally. Each of them has varied backgrounds and diverse writing interests.

Original plans to fill the group with food pantry patrons went awry when they realized patrons of RI CAN had difficulty getting to the library in the evening.

"It turned out our audience became primarily volunteers at the pantry," says Miller. "We have a few patrons but mostly volunteers. The original idea transformed itself, growing beyond the patrons of RI CAN."

One patron, whom Miller knew from tutoring at the Education Exchange, has an interest in writing fantasy literature. David Andrews of Westerly has been attending since the group started and is writing a fantasy novel. It is his first attempt at writing and is based on a story that has been "in his head a long time." It is now finally finding its way to the page.

Regarding the group, Andrews says, "I love it. We’re like a family. We tell each other how it is… in a nice way; which is good because it makes our writing better."

Christine Smith has been attending for several months and she writes her story with wit and humor that entertains the group.

Dr. David Oliver has a Ph.D. in physics and he brings some "very developed and expert poetry" to the motley crew of writing talent. Another woman is a former Rhodes Scholar and is working with an autobiography written by her grandmother.

Cheryl Goewey is a volunteer at RI CAN who monitors door control at the food pantry. She heard about the group that was forming. She had already published two mystery novels and is working on her third.

"Rob goes over our grammar and spelling. It’s wonderful that we have him there to do that. Everyone in the group is doing something different," says Goewey. "Everyone enjoys the camaraderie and they have helped me immensely with support and encouragement."

Adriana Vinas is a RI CAN patron who had never attended a writing group before and saw the flyer about the group and jumped at the chance. She first shared emails she sent to her boyfriend which led to sharing her story which is becoming a screenplay called "Delusions."

Vinas is now looking for someone to produce it. She is from the Dominican Republic and English is her second language. She has worked her way through a two-year degree at Community College of Rhode Island and is encouraged by the group.

"When you go to that group, they really listen to you," says Vinas. "You can do it," they tell me. They never tell me it is a crazy idea. This group is better than the best psychologist in the world."

Ultimately, the goal beyond sharing their stories was to create an anthology from which the proceeds would raise money for RI CAN. Some finished work is ready and available for the project and they are looking for a publisher who will donate services or a sponsor who will provide funding to publish.

The group would then like to hold fund raising events where the authors could present readings and sell books.

For more information call (401) 377-9020.