Writers' Roundtable Lets Authors and Poets Share Their Wares

By George Walsh, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Whether you aspire to compose the great American novel or just enjoy sharing poetry with those who appreciate it, getting involved with a group of people who have similar interests can do wonders to keep the creative juices flowing.

If you're looking for support and a bit of friendly criticism for your writing projects in the Tri-Valley area, the local Writers' Roundtable might be just the peer group you're seeking. Writers' Roundtable members have been meeting for the last four years in San Ramon at the home of one of their fellow writers. At 6:00 pm on the second Tuesday of every month, the group shares a pot luck dinner. Then, around seven, members pass out copies of their writing to the 10 to 15 members of the Roundtable for critique. If you so desire, you can also read your poem, short story, or novel excerpt to the other members of the group.

The Roundtable, formerly known as the Across the River Writer's Roundtable, was assembled nearly a decade ago by founding member Rick Griggs, who has since moved to Colorado. Being a writer and publisher, he became frustrated by the fact that he had to travel to San Francisco to find other writers, so he put an ad in the newspaper and started having a potluck dinner in the East Bay to get local authors and poets to support one another.

The Writers' Roundtable puts on literary evenings several times a year, the most recent of which took place on October 11th at the Pleasanton Library. The event was presented to celebrate the works of John Steinbeck, with authors performing works about the dustbowl era.

Another event is typically presented in April to celebrate National Poetry Month. The Writers' Roundtable also presents a poetry open mike night on the third Friday of every month at Coffee Roast Express at 780 Main Street in Pleasanton. The gathering begins with an open mike at 7:00 pm, followed by a guest poet at 7:30 pm, then resuming the open mike readings at around 8:00 pm. For more information about the Writer's Workshop, contact Cynthia Bryant at (925) 461-8740.

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