Gulf Coast Writers Association and Alliance of the Arts collecting stories about local Hurricane Ian experiences

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc, and the Alliance for the Arts are working together to help the community share their Hurricane Ian experience either through an oral, or written story, which will be shared during the one year anniversary this September

Mary Charles with Gulf Coast Writers Association, Inc, said when she was meeting with her association, she mentioned she wanted to do something regarding Hurricane Ian

“I began to write about it for my own therapy,” she said, which led her to asking the other members if there was any interest in putting it out to the public to collect stories “I learned almost immediately that the Alliance for the Arts had a similar initiative ”

Gulf Coast Writers Association and the Alliance for the Arts decided to collaborate Both would harvest the stories, with one being verbal stories and the other written

“Our job would be to put together an actual book We would collect the stories and publish a book in time for the anniversary,” Charles said “We said let us be responsible for the printed book ”

Those who would like to provide an oral submission can call 239-744-3047, a line dedicated to the project by the Alliance for the Arts, and leave a threeminute story anonymously If more time is needed, the storyteller can call back and continue The oral submissions will continue to be collected past the written deadline The Alliance also has an online form at https://www artinlee org/stormstories/

Both the published book and oral subm i s s i o n s w i l l b e s h o w c a s e d d u r i n g a month-long exhibit, and listening booth, a t t h e A l l i a n c e f o r t h e A r t s d u r i n g September In addition, artworks inspired by Hurricane Ian will be featured by F l o r i d a a r t i s t s a n d d o c u m e n t a r y - s t y l e photography by Kinfay Moroti

Charles said so far they have received a dozen stories, with some in poetry form S h e s a i d s o m e a r e r e a l l y d r a m a t i c accounts individuals with water up to their necks in their homes, not knowing if the water was going to continue to climb Another story was from seasonal residents who were away when the hurricane hit, which offered a different perspective as they learned about the impact through the internet and on TV during the storm

“We have a few dozen We want a few dozen more,” Charles said

The book is intended to provide an opportunity for people who experienced Hurricane Ian to share their experience, while becoming published writers as a result of having written their stories

“Everybody has the opportunity to tell their story and have it published in some form Gulf Writers will have a committee to look at each story and help by offering editing advice We will back them up with the editing and that makes people feel a little more comfortable,” Charles said

There are no fees, age restrictions, or a word count limit to participate Submissions should be made at www gulfwriters.org by April 30.

“We just want people to tell as much as they are willing to and feel comfortable telling and sharing it with their immediate neighbors and county and maybe further,” Charles said

Although six months have passed since Hurricane Ian left a path of destruction, the impact is still very close to the surface f o r m a n y T h i s w a s a p p a r e n t w h e n Charles conducted a memoir workshop in her community, leaving many sharing their stories still in tears

“People need to get it out,” Charles said “As important as getting published, (it's about) getting it out All of this has really been stressful for so many people Getting it down on paper, or doing a three-minute barf, I hope it will be therapeutic.”

Charles said she has extended an invitation to other writer groups around the state to also put together a book with public submissions, as Hurricane Ian damage went beyond Southwest Florida

Those who have questions can email Charles at mary@marycharles com

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