Milspeak

Warriors, Veterans, Family, and Friends Write the Military Experience

Writer’s Gallery (MCWS1 – 6) Ø “Always Faithful” Ø “Here Today” Ø “Open Wounds” Ø “Hymn” Ø "Remember" Ø “Confession” Ø “The Fez” Ø “Time” Ø “Swallowing Clay” Ø “Life by Dream” Ø “Giant” Ø "The Gray" Ø "Orion" Ø "Drudgery" Ø "Leaving the Service" Ø "Remembering Ming" Sally’s CWS Journal Sally’s Proposal Writer’s Toolbox Links About Sally Writer Mentors: Stephanie Greene Leslie Staub Ian Pounds Tom Sheehan Guest Writers: Richard Peabody Warren Slesinger Lisa Annelouise Rentz

Milspeak Creative Writing Seminars is a series of workshops developed for military people who want to write about their experiences. Milspeak is a volunteer program developed and led by writer Sally Drumm. CWS began in September 2005 as an outreach program focused on using narrative writing to assimilate the wartime experience. Since everyone has a war story to tell, be it a story from the front or from the homefront, MCWS has evolved to include military personnel, retirees, family members, and civil service workers. During the five-week workshop, seminar participants write nonfiction stories about important moments in their lives. Most participants begin the seminar without formal creative writing training. The only requirement for participation is a desire to tell a true story about military life. Sally guides MCWS writers during five Saturday morning workshops. During the first Saturday workshop, writers are taught the basics of creative writing and creative critiquing. On second-Saturday, a guest author is invited to speak to MCWS writers about the writing life. Between workshops, MCWS writers exchange each draft of their works-in-progress via email. At home, MCWS writers critique the work of others within their pods, while Sally critiques each draft for all writers. During third- and fourth-Saturday workshops, critiques are discussed and suggestions for revision are offered. Fifth-Saturday is Celebration Saturday. MCWS writers gather at the MCAS Beaufort Officers Club for a potluck breakfast and a read-aloud of final drafts. The end result of MCWS writers’ hard work is compelling writing that fosters understanding about military life between writers from different branches of the military and between generations of veterans who gather to write together. Hopefully, the works produced by MCWS writers also provide the civilian community with a clearer idea of what military life is really like for those who live it by choice or by familial tie. One of the best things about the program is that MCWS has no overhead and no income. We’ve operated for three years at no cost. From the beginning, David Ellard, MCAS Beaufort Education Officer, and Marine Corps Community Services have supported MCWS. David gets the word out and ensures meeting space is available. All patrons of MCCS are eligible to participate in MCWS, free of charge. Writer’s Gallery links lead to work produced by seminar participants during CWS. Sally’s CWS Journal links you to the story of CWS as it evolves. Writers of MCWS 7 15 March – 12 April 2008 L-R: Jack, Nancy, Bernard, Stacy, David, Fred Not Pictured: Charlotte (14 August 08: A note from Stacy, MCWS7) Hi Sally!!! I wanted to share something ironic with you. My older sister, the one I speak of in my story, found my story on the website. She and I have always had a rocky relationship and actually haven’t spoken since 2006. Well, she found my story and emailed me just YESTERDAY. She said that she was really happy she had inspired me and we both agreed to mend our relationship. It was very touching that she found it and absolutely wonderful to hear from her. I am glad she liked it. I am also grateful that I took the time out to write it and thanks to you have it posted for others to find...especially my sister. Thank You! Stacy Stories by MCWS 7 Writers "Bright and Pressed" by Stacy Atkinson "First Convoy" by David Charles "Just Breathe" by Moe Haagensen "Let Me Take You on a Sea Cruise" by Fred Siedentopf "Hey Ya" By Charlotte Brock "Hayes for the Defense" by Jack Hayes "Old Warrior's Lament" by Sally Drumm Congratulations To all MCWS writers! Your stories have captured the attention of a publisher. Press53 of Winston-Salem, NC, has offered to publish a collection of MCWS stories and the story of the workshop. I am proud of each of you and I will enjoy putting your stories and the workshop story together for a larger audience. The anthology will include stories from MCWS 1-7. A July 4, 2009 release date is planned. MCWS8 will begin October 4, 2008 First Saturday: 04 OCT/0900-1200 Second Saturday: 11 OCT/0900-1200 Guest Writer Third Saturday: 18 OCT/0900-1200 First Draft Fourth Saturday: 25 OCT/0900-1200 Second Draft Celebration Saturday 01 NOV/0900-? Chow & Read If you would like to participate in MCWS8 or if you are an established author who would like to be our Second-Saturday guest writer, please contact Sally at postmaster@milspeak.org MCWS in 2009 Two new Milspeak projects are in the works: a workshop for children of deployed military members and a guided journaling workshop for spouses of deployed military members. Both workshops will be offered during Winter 2008 at the MCAS Beaufort, SC library. Children will create storybooks with words and art about their time apart to be shared with their deployed parents upon homecoming. Participant spouses will use journaling to create a story about separation during deployment. Happy Writing! For more information, contact postmaster@milspeak.org Updated 16 August 2008 ©2008 MCWS Notice: Authors retain all rights to their work. Contributors to MCWS Development David Ellard Bob Cowser Jr. "Crime Scene Photo" Lisa Kahn Schnell "Circling" Jillian Schedneck "Teaching Errors" Rebecca McClanahan "Orbit"& Word Painting Kathryn Rhett

Links Tara Crooks Interviews Sally Drumm (Mp3 file download) Virtual Workforce Information for Military Spouses Since 1999 Staffcentrix, LLC, has assisted more than 4,000 people from 65+ countries around the world find their place in the virtual workforce. Visit Staffcentrix.com for more information on the Military Spouse Virtual Assistant Program and how to become part of the virtual workforce. CinCHouse.com- The nonprofit community of military wives and women Follow Your Dreams While You Follow the Military™ www.militaryspousehelp.com Workshops and Writings for Military Spouses by Military Spouses Holly Scherer and Kathie Hightower Field Problems:Solving the problems of Army families where it matters most...in the field. Tara Crooks & Starlett “Star” Henderson provide real-life, researched solutions to the issues (aka “Field Problems“) many military families face. Links to Army Wife Talk Radio. Visit the Arts Council of Beaufort County web site for up-to-date information for artists and patrons in Beaufort County, South Carolina.