HPMEC hosts Creative Writer's Retreat

Those taking part in the creative writer's retreat at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Education Center included, from left: Front--instructor Roland Mann of Oxford, Miss., Ethan Baker of Piggott and Bob Jones of North Little Rock. Second row--Linda Wyss of Piggott and Faye Williams (Wanda) Jones of North Little Rock. Third row--Monica Moore of Piggott, Christine Henderson of Searcy, Carol Griffin of Bernie, Mo., Rita Dortch of Rector, Joseph Hargrave of Rector and Pat Lester of Benton. Back--Phyllis Rhodes of Everton, Mo. and Elizabeth Foster of Hot Springs Village. Not pictured--Deanna Dismukes, education coordinator for HPMEC.
(photo provided)

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Born from the event was "The Works Writers Create" a collection of stories and poems by the 12 writers who attended.

When 15-year-old retreat participant, Joseph Hargrave of Rector, was asked what he hoped to accomplish as a writer he said, "When I read I get really immersed in the book; I want to be able to do that for someone else someday."

Roland Mann, B.S. in Creative Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi, M.A. in English from the University of North Alabama and currently pursuing an M.F.A. from Spaulding University, Louisville, Ky., was the instructor/mentor for the retreat. Deanna Dismukes, the Center's Education Coordinator, served as director.

The first annual Creative Writers' Retreat was held in June 2002. In 2008 the schedule expanded to include retreats in June and November at the local museum's educational center.

Writers in attendance at this year's retreat included Bob and Wanda Jones of North Little Rock, Elizabeth Foster of Hot Springs Village, Ethan Baker, Monica Moore and Linda Wyss of Piggott, Joseph Hargrave and Rita Dortch of Rector, Pat Laster of Benton, Christine Henderson of Searcy, Phyllis Rhodes of Everton, Mo., and Carol Griffin of Bernie, Mo.