A pair of Quesnel writers are carefully curating stories of why we are who we are.
The Community Stories Project has been launched by the Quesnel Wordspinners and includes a weekly writing bee.
There is no criteria when Evelyn Galbraith and Rose Scott meet with other writers of all levels at the Spirit Centre boardroom Tuesdays at 1 p.m. for writing and sharing.
“There is no experience needed and everyone is welcome,” Galbraith and Scott said.
The second component of the project involves the gathering of community stories.
Storytellers sometimes share a precise moment or experience in their life with Galbraith and Scott, who, with their permission, capture their words, shaping them on paper before it is anonymously shared.
Galbraith and Scott believe as we get to know one another we heal as a community with “eyes on the whole of us.”
“To this end, we listen for, encourage and even prompt the writers to go out into their daily lives and gather life stories,” they said. “As snippets of life are recorded, we share them anonymously on the Community Stories Project on Facebook.”
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Galbraith noted the Quesnel Wordspinners were collecting stories of pioneers and felt there was a need for another category on stories of the community.
She had found inspiration from Pat Schneider, the founder of Amherst Artists and Writers.
“Schneider opened one up in New York and went into women’s shelters and did pretty much exactly what we’re doing,” Galbraith said.
Scott said they are not asking people for their life stories but single events that have helped shape them.
“Even though they might not be writing the story, they’re still giving us permission to write it, and then we’re putting the author is anonymous because we want people to feel OK with telling a story that might make them feel more comfortable,” Scott said.
‘There have been some real personal ones.”
Galbraith and Scott hope the Community Stories Project, supported by the Quesnel and District Community Arts Council, will foster a society that nurtures empathy.
“We believe getting to know one another is the only way forward,” Galbraith and Scott said thanking groups such as the Rotary Club of Quesnel for promoting the project.
For more information, visit the Community Stories Project on Facebook or email cariboostories@ gmail.com
(Note: This story has been edited for clarity following its online publication Friday, May 6.)
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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