The Write Way to Make a Difference

   I wanted to change the world,” said Geri Taran, “and I realized that writers have more power than anyone else to do that, so as a gift to the state of Georgia and the writers who live here, I started Georgia Writers as a support organization for people who write.”

   “The written word is so powerful. It sets things in motion and the writer has no idea of the exponential result,” said Taran as I transcribed her words in the amber and jade green dining room of her Lawrenceville home.

   Taran is one writer who has experienced at least a little of that exponential feeling.

   “I was managing apartments and wrote a monthly article for the local apartment association magazine. I wrote about topics like water and architecture. Then it was picked up nationally.”

   Taran went on to write for professional publications and Coca-Cola invited her to an international convention to write about their strategic planning.

   But it’s creative writing Taran loves best. And it’s creative writing she wants to inspire in others. In her 11 years with Georgia Writers, she’s provided both accomplished and aspiring authors with encouragement and opportunities such as writing contests, job leads, workshops and social events where writers can share their expertise—or at least their experiences. (www.georgiawriters.org)

   New president, Vally Sharpe of Lilburn now heads up GW. Taran has taken a step out of the limelight and has stepped into a more personal support role for writers. Her newest venture, Everyone Has a Story, is a memoir-writing class, inspired by her Aunt Esther who wanted to write her stories but had no one nearby to give her the guidance she felt she needed.

   “When she passed away in 2003,” said Taran, “all those wonderful memories, stories I longed to hear, went with her.”

   Aunt Esther, like many people, thought only “writers” can write. Taran insists, “Anyone can be a writer. Writers are people who write.” 

   Not everyone can make a living at writing or become well known for writing. In fact, very few people do. But anyone can take pen to paper, peck out words that don’t even have to be spelled correctly into a computer, or stuff wedding napkins and ticket stubs into an envelope to recharge their brains as their stories begins to flow.

   Groups of any age or interest that would like to know more about Everyone Has a Story can contact Taran at director@georgiawriters.org

   Geri Taran, like any other writer, doesn’t know the exponential results of all her written words. Has she changed the world? If enhancing it counts as changing it, then I’d say she’s done more than most. 

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