Past Events & Activities
Fifth Mondays
2010 - 2016
A near-monthly gathering where members came together around a shared theme and let their creativity take the lead. Each session offered a fresh theme to spark the imagination, giving writers of all levels a low-pressure space to explore new ideas, experiment with their craft, and share what they had written with the group.
December 13, 2016
Cocoa-Loco Fireside Holiday Celebration
Presented by: Jen Sweete Owens & Maria Weber
The annual holiday gathering celebrated the close of the year with writing, reflection, and community
2016
January 25, 2016
Coloring into the New Year
Presented by: Maria Weber
Maria used coloring and artistic inspiration to launch a new year of creativity and writing.
March 7, 2016
Point of View
Presented by: Jane Provorse
Jane guided writers through first-, second-, and third-person points of view and how perspective shapes storytelling.
June 20, 2016
Crafting Characters
Presented by: Kate Bell
Kate used prompts and exercises to help participants create memorable and compelling characters.
July 11, 2016
Finding Wisdom Within
Presented by: Marcy Adams
Marcy used exercises from The Gate: Finding Wisdom Within to encourage self-discovery and creativity.
August 15, 2016
Writing Haiku for Fun and Introspection
Presented by: Laurel McHargue
Laurel introduced participants to Haiku poetry as a way to inspire reflection and creativity.
September 24, 2016
Fictionalizing True Stories
Presented by: Doris Dembosky
Doris explored techniques for transforming real experiences into compelling fiction.
October 24, 2016
Building a Time Capsule
Presented by: Bar Scott
Bar guided participants in creating a miniature time capsule book filled with memories and ideas.
November 14, 2016
Snapshot Storytelling Toolkit
Presented by: Nicole Parsons
Nicole used photographs and images to help writers connect with stories they wanted to tell.
2015
January 19, 2015
Digging Deeper for Stories Within
Presented by: Susan Tweit
Susan used mapping exercises and sensory techniques to help writers uncover meaningful stories. (Salida, CO)
February 21, 2015
Variety of Writing Prompts
Presented by: Marilyn Miller, Jane Provorse, Nancy Walters, & Maria Weber
Four facilitators shared a range of prompts and activities to inspire creativity and writing exploration. (Buena Vista, CO)
March 23, 2015
Dialogue as Character
Presented by: Laura Hendrie
Laura offered guidance on creating and revising dialogue as a powerful expression of character. (Salida, CO)
April 27, 2015
Shake Loose Your Mind
Presented by: Marsha Sherry
Marsha challenged writers to push beyond ordinary thinking and discover unexpected creative ideas. (Buena Vista, CO)
August 24, 2015
Seeing Through New Eyes
Presented by: Laurel McHargue
Laurel used visual art to inspire fresh perspectives and strengthen creative observation skills.
September 21, 2015
Expanding Vocabulary
Presented by: Barbara Ford
Barbara encouraged participants to use dictionaries and thesauruses to broaden language choices and expression.
November 7, 2015
Music, Mood, and Perspective
Presented by: Jennifer Sweete
Jennifer used music and sound effects to explore mood, character development, and plot.
December 15, 2015
Cocoa-Loco Fireside Holiday Writing Session
Presented by: Jen Sweete Owens & Maria Weber
Participants gathered for a festive and reflective writing experience centered on the winter holidays.
December 8, 2014
Images and Music as Inspiration
Presented by: Ron Slaughter
Ron used photography and live guitar music to spark ideas and inspire creative writing. (Salida, CO)
2014
January 27, 2014
Separation – Initiation – Return
Presented by: Nancy Walters
Nancy introduced participants to Joseph Campbell’s story structure model and explored how its pattern can shape compelling narratives. (Buena Vista, CO)
March 3, 2014
Exercises in Exploring the Five Senses
Presented by: Joan Hannie
Joan guided writers through sensory-based exercises inspired by Sol Stein’s Stein on Writing. (Salida, CO)
April 14, 2014
Plot Twists and Endings
Presented by: Audrey Smith
Audrey encouraged participants to imagine unexpected twists and create new endings for published stories. (Buena Vista, CO)
May 12, 2014
Freeing the Pen
Presented by: Jane Provorse
Jane led simple but engaging exercises designed to get ideas flowing and pens moving freely. (Salida, CO)
July 28, 2014
Power of the Other Hand
Presented by: Annie Livingston-Garret
Annie introduced creative exercises using the non-dominant hand to unlock imagination and overcome writer’s block. (Leadville, CO)
August 25, 2014
Sensing August
Presented by: Carrie Unkelbach
Carrie encouraged participants to reflect on August through an alphabetical exploration of sensory experiences. (Buena Vista, CO)
October 20, 2014
Nature Writing
Presented by: Paul Goetz
Paul led writing exercises focused on observing and capturing the natural world. (Salida, CO)
November 17, 2014
Creating Characters
Presented by: Brian McCabe
Brian explored character creation techniques inspired by Elements of Fiction: Characters and Viewpoint. (Buena Vista, CO)
2013
March 4, 2013
Picture This
Presented by: Pat Clark
Pat led an entertaining session using visual prompts and imagination to inspire creative writing. (Buena Vista, CO)
April 1, 2013
Humor Writing
Presented by: Barbara Ford
Barbara encouraged participants to bring examples of humorous writing and create original pieces of their own. (Salida, CO)
May 15, 2013
Writing is in Our Heart
Presented by: Barbara Munyon
Barbara guided writers through reflective prompts exploring how writing can be both a passion and a struggle. (Salida, CO)
July 8, 2013
Common Threads
Presented by: Kate Bell
Kate discussed the common threads of powerful writing, including image, rhythm, voice, implication, and meaning. (Leadville, CO)
August 19, 2013
Letters of Life
Presented by: Jane Provorse
Jane explored the fading art of letter writing and its personal connection to storytelling and communication. (Salida, CO)
September 23, 2013
Music, Light, and Action
Presented by: Marge Dorfmeister
Marge led participants down memory lane through prompts inspired by music, light, and memorable moments. (Buena Vista, CO)
October 28, 2013
Future Travels & The Future of Travel
Presented by: Carolyn Barnett
Carolyn encouraged writers to imagine future journeys by describing destinations with vivid sensory detail. (Salida, CO)
December 9, 2013
Discovering the Space Within Reach
Presented by: Stephanie Frykholm
Stephanie guided writing exercises focused on exploring the spaces and possibilities around us. (Buena Vista, CO)
2012
January 16, 2012
New Beginnings
Presented by: Cary Unkelbach & Joan Freeman
Cary and Joan prompted participants to explore both positive and negative approaches to the New Year through writing.
February 27, 2012
Every House Has a Story
Presented by: KM Joffe
Using word prompts, photographs, and music, KM led participants in writing about houses and the lives imagined within them.
April 2, 2012
Landscapes
Presented by: Stephanie Frykholm
Stephanie encouraged writers to use descriptive words to explore natural settings, personal environments, and the landscapes of relationships.
May 14, 2012
A Surprise Topic
Presented by: Lisa Marvel
Lisa shared two unrelated stories and challenged participants to creatively combine themes from both into their writing.
June 11, 2012
Revisiting Natalie Goldberg
Writing Down the Bones
Presented by: Ann Cogswell
Ann inspired laughter and creativity through writing exercises influenced by Natalie Goldberg’s style and techniques.
July 16, 2012
Short Non-Fiction Story & Publishing Possibilities
Presented by: Laurel McHargue
Laurel shared insights from teaching writing and discussed opportunities through publishing syndicates.
September 24, 2012
Swimming in Your Imagination
Presented by: Debby Cason
Debby used prompts inspired by her book Swimming with Glory to encourage imaginative and creative storytelling.
October 29, 2012
Open the Gate
Presented by: Marcy Adams
Marcy guided writing exercises centered around the theme and possibilities of opening gates.
December 3, 2012
Show Don't Tell
Presented by: Tom Rampton
Tom demonstrated this classic writing advice and explored the quirks and nuances of language.
2011
January 24, 2011
Who's Reading and Why?
Presented by: Nancy Walters
Nancy explored techniques for identifying audiences and understanding the readers and characters that shape a story.
March 21, 2011
It's a Surprise!
Presented by: John Skinner
John led a creative session filled with unexpected prompts and activities designed to spark imagination.
April 25, 2011
Seasons of Comedy, Tragedy, and Romance
Presented by: Maria Weber & Audrey Smith
Maria and Audrey guided participants through writing exercises inspired by three classic literary genres.
May 23, 2011
The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts
Presented by: Marcy Adams
Utilizing visual prompts , Marcy encouraged creative connections and inspired new story ideas in our members.
June 27, 2011
Writing Books for Children
Presented by: Kathy Keidel
Kathy introduced the world of children's literature and discussed writing for young readers.
July 25, 2011
Body Parts
Presented by: Jessica Saunders
Jessica used playful quizzes and familiar expressions to inspire creative writing through language and humor.
August 29, 2011
Inspired by Nature
Presented by: Pat Clark & Nancy Walters
Pat and Nancy combined nature and writing with a field trip designed to spark observation and creativity.
September 26, 2011
Heading Out from Home
Presented by: Doann Houghton-Alico
Doann encouraged participants to explore travel, journeys, and the meaning of place through writing.
October 31, 2011
Shades of Halloween: The Telltale Art
Presented by: Maria Weber
Maria blended spooky themes, Horrorscopes, and Edgar Allan Poe-inspired prompts for a hauntingly creative session.
December 5, 2011
Opening Pandora's Armoire
Presented by: Barbara Ford
Barbara guided participants through imaginative prompts that transformed personal experiences and memories into creative stories.
2010
March 29, 2010
Meeting held at Salida Cafe
Presented by: CCW Members
A foundational gathering at Salida Cafe where local writers met to share work, discuss goals, and imagine what First Thursdays would become.
May 3, 2010
A Sense of Place
Presented by: Nancy Walters
Nancy led exercises and discussion on how to ground stories in vivid, specific settings that feel alive on the page for fiction and non-fiction.
June 7, 2010
Writing Living History
Presented by: Amy Frykholm
Drawing from her book Julian of Norwich, Amy explored blending research, empathy, and imagination to bring historical figures to life.
July 19, 2010
Armchair Adventures
Presented by: Jane Provorse & Lori Hardin
Jane and Lori guided writers through journeys of the mind, using prompts and discussion to travel far without leaving the chair.
August 23, 2010
Shortcut to Lookout Point
Presented by: Barbara Ford
At the Buena Vista Public Library, Barbara used a playful metaphor to help writers explore risk, surprise, and discovery in their work.
September 27, 2010
Writing Your Journey
Presented by: Maria Weber
Maria shared exercises from her book I'll Be There to Write the Story: A Mother-Daughter Journey Beyond Death, inviting writers to shape their own life journeys on the page.
October 25, 2010
Writing the Museum
Presented by: John Skinner
After a tour of the Salida Historic Museum, John offered a list of prompts and topics to guide writing inspired by exhibits and local history.
December 6, 2010
Holiday Perspectives
Presented by: Jane Provorse & Cary Unkelbach
Jane and Cary led seasonal writing exercises that invited participants to explore holidays from fresh, surprising points of view.