What am I doing here? Why did my friend Patrick send me that advertisement for a writing workshop? I am only a wannabe writer with a manuscript and a dream, sitting rather self-consciously among published authors. While others discuss completed books, I wonder whether my own story, Autumn Leaves Are Raining, will ever make it beyond endless revisions. Then our facilitator, Marsha, reminds us that every author begins with a single page. Her words quiet my doubts and strengthen my resolve that the true story about my childhood friend, Anna, must find a voice.
As the workshop unfolds, I discover that one of the participants has been shortlisted for a prestigious literary award. To my surprise, she is sitting only two chairs away from me. “Taliba,” I hear others call her. She has completed her debut novel, Tilt, and carries herself with quiet confidence that inspires rather than intimidates. Nearby, Wendy introduces Taliba to her own captivating work, Lorefolk, opening a fascinating window into the rich and mysterious folklore of our ancestors. Quietly, Arlene sits in a corner, unassuming yet accomplished. She has written at least three novels, one of them intriguingly titled Inside Arlene’s Head. I smile to myself. Perhaps if I could get inside Arlene’s head, I might discover the imagination, discipline, and persistence that have enabled her to transform her ideas into compelling stories.
I did not know then, almost two years ago that these women, who first seemed so accomplished and distant, would become more than fellow writers. They would become friends, collaborators, and members of a team of four, united by a shared passion for storytelling. Together, we now look forward to creating a website that celebrates not only our individual journeys but also the collective strength, encouragement, and inspiration we have found in one another.
