Building a Writing Community

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of watching Lacombe’s writing community flourish. Nestled in central Alberta, our town has been steadily nurturing an environment where writers, readers, and literary enthusiasts can come together to share stories, ideas, and inspiration. It’s been a collaborative effort, with the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) taking the lead in offering spaces and opportunities for creative growth. The LPAC has emerged as a dynamic hub for artistic expression, extending its reach to include writers alongside its vibrant lineup of music, theater, and visual arts. I’ve had the joy of contributing to this growing community by running eight-week writing bootcamps. These intensive sessions are designed to help emerging writers hone their craft and develop the confidence to share their work. For those looking for something less structured, our Brave New Writing program offers a stress-free environment where writers can simply show up, put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded creatives. LPAC has been instrumental in creating opportunities for writers to share their voices. Regular open-mic nights now allow local storytellers to stand before a rapt audience of friends, family, and community members, bringing their words to life. This past year also marked several milestones, including our first-ever writer retreat, where participants spent the day immersed in creativity and learning, and an unforgettable evening with Ali Bryan, a celebrated Alberta author, who shared her insights and inspirations. I believe that everyone has a story to tell. In a world that often feels disconnected, stories remind us of our shared humanity. But it sometimes takes more than just courage to put words on a page; it takes a safe space and a supportive community of allies to help those words meet the world. That’s why building bridges between writers and readers is so important. When these two groups come together, magic happens. Writers feel heard, and readers discover new perspectives and voices. This exchange strengthens the fabric of our community. Here in Lacombe, we’re not just building a writing community—we’re creating a space where stories can thrive, voices can be heard, and connections can flourish. And I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

The joy of a staged reading

My play EDEN—about a kidnap and a murder, faith and truth—had its first audience recently. The excitement took place at a staged reading in Red Deer, with an audience of about 75 enthusiastic participants. Now that I’ve had time to reflect, I can honestly say, it was an experience like no other. I’ve been writing prose for years, but nothing can match the thrill of seeing your work come to life in such an immediate and tangible way. When you send a short story or book into the world, you cross your fingers and hope that your readers absorb at least a part of what you intended. But in this venue, intent and reactions are all smooshed together. I got to see my characters breathe, hear their lines spoken, witness the audience leaning forward, and discuss afterwards how they felt. It was exhilarating. For those who might not be familiar, a staged reading is where the actors, seated or standing in front of an audience, read the script aloud with minimal or no staging, sets, or costumes. The focus is on the words and the performances, allowing the text to shine and the audience to engage with the narrative and dialogue in a direct and powerful way. This whole experience, from the rehearsals to the reading to the talk back, has given me so much to work with going forward. It has reignited my passion for the story and inspired new ideas and directions. I am incredibly grateful to Red Deer Players, our brilliant director, Evan McLeod, our talented actors, and our wonderful, insightful audience. Lucky me.