NOVEMBER REVIEW & DECEMBER PREVIEW

A couple of weeks ago, poet and writing instructor Sandy Tseng read selections from her book of poems, Sediment, as well as some new work yet to be published. We were again situated in the main gallery of the BAC in Manitou Springs, where impressive oil paintings had been hung on every wall. Sandy's work orbited round two themes that are actually closely linked in emotional quality: tragedy overseas, and loss. Her volunteer work in Haiti shone through as strongly as her love for her ill and aging yellow lab, Hamlet.

I've always felt that the way a writer responds to animals, especially those closest to her, the ones she's cared for and let care for her, is one of the simplest indicators of how her creative process works. Our link to imagination is what we know through experience. Sandy's poems showed the November audience how her particular experiences with others, human or animal, became catalysts for poetic composition. Her book will still be available for sale at the December reading, in case you missed out on buying a copy!

December, the month of chilly green and white, of busy schedules and holiday baking, will shake things up a bit for the Writers Reading Series. At our next event, Friday, December 9th, at 7:30 in the BAC, the Open Mic list will be shortened to a maximum of three readers (still 3-5 minutes apiece) in order to accomodate our three featured readers: fiction writers Tim Christian, Michael Ferguson, and M.R. Hyde will be in the spotlight with short selections of their own works. These writers have just begun to publish their works more widely, and the audience will have a chance to support them. These are also the three writers that have attended CSWRS events most regularly, captivating us during their Open Mic readings.

I look forward to seeing everyone there. Spread the word about CSWRS, too, and bring a friend. Speaking of spreading the word... I'm going to be teaching an English 227 (Poetry Writing) course through Pikes Peak Community College in the spring, Monday nights from 5:30 till 8, if any of you Colorado writers is interested. You don't have to be a poet to participate, either-- in fact, I recommend poetry classes to fiction and nonfiction writers all the time. As a poet, I've learned a great deal from the prose classes I've taken in the past. So, if you know anyone who may be interested in this course, tell them to contact me!

See you on the 9th at 7:30!

Abby E. Murray
CSWRS Coordinator