Marsha: Tonight I'm interviewing my friend Phyllis Dugan, the President of Wyoming Writers, Inc. I'm so happy you could join me, Phyllis.

Phyllis: Thank you. I'm happy to be here.

Marsha: Tell us a bit about your journey as a writer. Did you decide as a girl you wanted to do this, or was it something that came later?

Phyllis: I've been writing ever since I can remember, beginning with a diary that was a Christmas present when I think I was about 10. Since then I have filled up boxes of diaries, journals, and the ever present notes. In 1990 I took a creative writing class because it was a freebie for taking two art classes, and began actually writing for others to read then. I started out with fiction and poetry, then nonfiction too. I prefer fiction, of course, because I can make up my own world, but I have more luck publishing with nonfiction. I wrote articles for a local newspaper for years, took photos, and covered events, but journalism really isn't my thing. I have recently begun writing essays and opinions, but haven't had many published as yet. I'm a pretty opinionated lady.

Marsha: Wow, your story sounds like mine--journalism when you want to write fiction. You've told me you're working on three books?

Phyllis: Yes. Only, two them are in my mind.

Marsha: How does that work for you, holding the stories in your mind?

Phyllis: I have to write down the bits and pieces that I want to include, or remember the way I put the words together. Then, when I actually try to make a story out of those bits and pieces it either works or stinks. But I have a file of sentences that I like, and work them in if they will fit. This works great with poetry, as you can write a whole poem around one phrase that catches your imagination.

Marsha: I think that's how I work, too—jotting down the sentences, phrases, tidbits that sing.

Phyllis: Yeah, but, your brain is always working and you never know when something will grab you. I have to remember to either pack a pen and paper around with me, or remember what it was I want to write down by the time I get back upstairs. Maddening.

Marsha: That little interval between the thought and the pen often is my undoing any more. My memory used to be so good!

Phyllis: Ha. My brain is turning to mush. But, I have little inspirational sayings tacked up all over the place, and keep them simple, because if I have too much going on, I have to slow down and concentrate completely on what I want to do or say or write in order to keep it going.

Marsha: Tell me about Wyoming Writers. You're the new president this year. How long have you been a member of the group?

Phyllis: I've been a WW, Inc. member for about six years, I think. I actually started out the year as Vice President, then the real president resigned because of illness in her family, so I had to step up.

Marsha: The hazard of being the VP, huh? How many members are in the group?

Phyllis: There are over 200 members of Wyoming Writers, Inc. Pretty good for a small population, huh? Wyoming is a state without a huge population. In fact, our whole population is about a quarter of the population of Denver, CO. WW, Inc. is a strong organization, and I think this is its 26th year.

Marsha: You're right. That is a strong group. How is it organized? Do you have local chapters? Meet only on a state-wide basis? or...?

Phyllis: WW, Inc. is a state wide group that meets once a year at an annual conference. There are local writer's clubs in Wyoming, but individual members belong to WW, Inc. not all the locals. We work with the Wyoming Arts Council, the Mountain Plains Booksellers Association, and have a lot of WWA members also in WW, Inc

Marsha: How long is your conference?

Phyllis: Three days, the first full week end in June of each year. We hold the conferences in different cities, but places big enough for all members are few.

Marsha: Phyllis, your topic tonight is about the value of joining writing groups for suppost and encouragement. Why should anyone join WWI?

Phyllis: To enjoy the company of other writers. We have a great batch of writers in Wyoming, and a huge network of writers all over the state that stay in touch by e.mail.

Marsha: Email is a God-send, in my opinion. Do you have critiqueing groups via email?

Phyllis: Oh yes, and I agree, it's wonderful. We mentor, sympathize, encourage and congratulate all by email. There are some critiqueing groups by email, but I'm not in any right now. I snail mail pieces to a fellow member who is an expert editor, and she emails me with corrections to make on my copy.

Marsha: Phyllis, is there anything else you want to tell us about joining writers' groups?

Phyllis: You can't beat writers groups for encouragement and inspiration—not to mention people to talk to who know what you are talking about. Watch some of them though; not everyone is good to talk to, and you have to have a good rapport with them.

Marsha: I agree wholeheartedly. A writer friend knows what you feel. You do have to be in a comfortable place, though.

Phyllis: Isolation isn't conductive to creativity. Especially when the wind blows cold and the snow covers the ground—or the wind blows hot and dry, and no one is around for miles.

Marsha: About the conferences, what sort of things do you do in those three days?

Phyllis: Well, lets see! There are workshops in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and this year writing for young adults/children, an editor's panel, a four-category writing contest with critques available, dinners of course, an awards luncheon, a scholarship program (which is rare in writers groups of any kind) and much fun. There is a lot of information about WW, Inc. on the web site, which is http://www.wyowriters.org. You can find out lots of stuff from that, including an application for scholarships!

Marsha: I was going to ask about the scholarships. Are they for members or students? And what do they fund? Also, is the conference open to the public?

Phyllis: Scholarships are for anyone who really wants to come to the conference and can't afford it. It pays registration fees. And the conference is open to the public. Hey, the more the merrier.

Marsha: That sounds great! Especially since I'm headed to Montana this summer. LOL!

Phyllis: I ought to tell you that this year our poetry presenter is W.C. Jameson, fiction is Ken Rand, nonfiction is Page Lambert and young adult is Suzanne Barchers, editor of Read Magazine, a subsidiary of Weekly Reader for kids.

Marsha: Good lineup. Do you have editors who come?

Phyllis: Editors this year will be Suzanne Barchers (in addition to her workshops), Charles Levendosky, Chuck Ballou, Nancy Curtis, Gaydell Collier, and Linda Hasselstrom.

Marsha: Thank you so much, Phyllis. Linda, do you have any questions for Phyllis?

Linda: Yes, do you have a lot of people who write cowboy poetry? I've read some of that I really enjoy.

Phyllis: Oh yes, a few very good ones. At the conference we hold an open mike session and get some great cowboy poetry along with everything else.

Linda: Do you have to be resident of Wyoming to be a member of WWI?

Phyllis: The answer is no; anyone can join WW, Inc. We have lots of out of state members.

Marsha: Thank you, Phyllis. Any last words to share with us tonight?

Phyllis: Thanks for the opportunity to speak, and I'm sure many writers will tune in to the posted transcript and learn about WW, Inc., and how important it is to have that contact with other writers. Thank you for sharing my words and please don't hesitate to get in touch at any time.

Marsha: Phyllis, thank you for sharing your ideas, opinions, and thoughts. Thanks for being here, Linda. Goodnight, everyone.

Phyllis: Thanks Marsha and good night to all.

Marsha: This chat will be posted soon on the Marsha_Ward Yahoo! group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Marsha_Ward.