For Janice Nicholas, writing brings joy.
The retired Hahnville woman continually adds to a book of her work, and while admitting she’s not a writer with longtime experience, it’s an outlet for her thoughts and a skill to continually sharpen. But in another way, she finds it all a bit saddening.
“I do realize that nobody’s going to see any of this until I die,” Nicholas said. “When they find the book of what I’m writing, it’ll only be after I’ve passed away that they’ll see what I have to say. And that’s very depressing.”
There aren’t idle complaints, however: Nicholas hopes to do something about this, and hopes along the way to help others like her who would like nothing better than to share ideas and bond over creativity.
She hopes to recruit others who enjoy writing to form a group that can meet regularly to share their written works, trade feedback, tips and ideas and otherwise just enjoy the company of those who share a passion for writing – or even those starting out who hope to get better.
“I’d like to get a group together – I have a place to meet,” she said, noting she’s gotten the OK from the Hahnville library to be a place to hold the meet ups. “If you have a craft, you want to learn more about it if possible, to express yourself and share with others. The only way I know to do that is to talk to other people who do it and can lend an ear and give you tips.
“Other people might go about things a different way, have a different style, and you might just be able to take something from that and vice versa.”
Nicholas added that ideally, the group would from time to time invite a writer of note to come speak to the group and offer insight.
She said she’s looked to find an existing group to join but has had no luck to date in finding one locally, hence why she’s interested in beginning her own.
Her interest arose one day when she decided to try to write a song.
“It’s honestly easier said than done,” Nicholas said with a laugh. “It didn’t really turn out to be a song, more like poetry or journaling.”
But in any form, it represented her thoughts, observations and feelings at the time – good in and of itself, but she still hoped for something more.
“Realistically you can’t call people and expect them to have that much interest unless they (write) themselves,” she said. “There’s not going to be that same enthusiasm.
“I figure there have to be others like I am (looking for an outlet to share) … I feel sometimes like I’ve been in a chair of no existence for a long time. I want to do something, be around people, share ideas. I love to talk and I have a lot to say. And I’d like to make a difference.”
Nicholas has a name in mind for the group – Writer’s Nest. Everything else is something of an open book – she’s looking for feedback from anyone interested as to what shape the club ultimately would take.
Those interested may call (985) 722-5392.
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