A MESSAGE TO THE WRITERS’ GUILD
Our writing mirrors the pain and joy of our experience. In knowing who we are and writing from it, we help the world by giving it understanding. We reach out and let our concerns be known. We speak out against injustices. We fulfill our function… and we can do so, more effectively, not just as an individual but as part of the community.
The Writers’ Guild is one nurturing community. Our own. Within which, you’re accepted, understood, trusted and respected as a valuable being; where one is encouraged to learn and grow. As members, we have a responsibility to write as truthfully as we can, and to live as truthfully as we can. We don’t confine ourselves to works of arts and literature but extend to humanitarian works. We expand our boundaries. We create The Guild’s projects — benefiting not just our small community but the much larger communities as well. When you’re in The Guild. You know you’re not alone. In times of personal adversity, The Guild is one support system… where friendships deepen, bonds strengthened, and human respect heightened.
One other very special thing about The Guild is that, it’s “powered” and well-supported by wonderful, loving, kind souls — our mentors, advisers, publishers and benefactors. We thank them profusely for making our voices be heard. I had long since wanted to thank one beautiful angel but I never got around to doing it so I now take this moment to say, “Thank you so very much, dear Mrs Marden. Cathy’s article of you made me love you even more. And since I couldn’t possibly give you a thank-you-hug, I just kissed your lovely photo on True Friends Newsmag! Namaste, abu, sweet lola.” {Namaste: origin:India, meaning: I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides.}
Dear Cathy, they can never put a good person down. When your intentions are good, no matter how you’re forcibly pushed under water, you’ll be that cork in the ocean, always rising to the surface. I admire you and Mr B for the calmness you maintained when you and The Writers’ Guild were viciously attacked. I cringed at the nasty words thrown your way. I cried a river for the name-calling and bad-mouthing flung at you. It pained me witnessing it. You must have then entered buddha state– profound calmness –to withstand the turmoil. Such is a trait of a good leader. Hats off. You are Super Grace Under Extreme Pressure. I say the same about Mr B –steady. He won’t be blown by the winds of arrogance and anger.
Big Thank You, Ms Catherine Kaldy, for welcoming The Writers’ Guild in the pages of your Newsmag. I am very grateful. Mr Mernie and Ka Freddie, it’s a thrill to write on the same paper with you.
My tribute, “On Mentors and Fathers”, is devoted entirely to my mentor, the avid supporter and one of the advisers of The Guild –Mr B. Abu. Before I met Mr B, I was a gloomy, silent, shy, ugly diarist. Now I’m a perky, babbling, proud, cute (!) writer, writing her heart out. I evolved. My writings evolved. It’s a real great honor to be part of The Writers’ Guild.. I feel I, finally, belong.
To The Guild, I pass this on to you from Natalie Goldberg, “We are important and our lives are important, magnificent really, and their details are worthy to be recorded. This is how writers must think, this is how we must sit down with pen in hand.”
Our details are important. Write on… unafraid, uninhibited, uncensored! It’s freedom. It’s the greatest high.
*a message for The Writers’ Guild’s Oath-Taking ceremony on June 22, 2008 as read by Mr B –the editor
*published in TF Newsmag (July 2008 issue)
