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What is this website about? It’s about reaching out to other writers with encouragement and resources, including information about my upcoming writing groups and retreats. (see come write with me). It will be about what I read – books, magazine articles, essays. And what I am writing – memoir pieces, essays, book reviews and now and then perhaps a prayer. Why a web site? One wintry January night, when I was feeling more than a little discouraged about the writing life, my son-in-law said to me “Why don’t you start a web page? Your family and friends, your writing group, we’d be interested in hearing what you've been reading and musing about.” So here I am – discovering this new way and a new reason to keep on writing! Who writes these pages? Colette Volkema DeNooyer. Too big a handle I know. Done to prove a feminist point. But what is the point? Both those last names belong to the significant men in my life. So from here on out I’ll just be Colette. Nice literary ring to that anyway. In this second half of life I’ve turned toward a first love, writing and it’s prerequisite – reading, reading, reading. I read novels and poetry, children's picture books and non-fiction on subjects that fascinate me like writing, leadership, dialogue, spirituality, psychology (see good books.) I read and save lengthy magazine and op-ed articles about hot button social, political and religious topics. And quirky information about nature and science too. A progressive living in what feels like an increasingly conservative culture, I am committed to building bridges. We don’t solve any of the truly moral questions by standing on either side of the world's pain brandishing ideological swords. Though ordained in the United Church of Christ and in ministry for almost 20 years, I have chosen, in this second half of life, to follow a dream, to live life in “a cabin by the stream” – walking, writing, reading, reflecting. And from this vantage point, I am committed to making a difference in the world - through writing, through loving, through voting! So – I hope, now and then – you'll take a moment to peruse and enjoy “a few words... for writers and readers.” |
