BY KAREN BOSSICK

Overcome writer’s block with the help of The Community Library’s newest writer-in-residence Margaret Meehan.

Meehan will hold court from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 17, in the Idaho Room of the library. Those who wish to attend must register at https://thecommunitylibrary.libcal.com/event/10451524.

“The blank page can be scary, because we often don’t know how or where to start. Even the most seasoned writers panic at the dreaded blinking cursor—you’re not alone! Writing can feel like fumbling through a dark, unfamiliar room, but, good news, that’s part of the magic of great storytelling.” said Meehan.

Meehan, who lives in New York, is bringing a wealth of experience in writing and teaching to share with the community while working on several exciting projects, said Martha Williams, the library’s director of programs and education.

“This topic of writer’s block is one that writers at all levels struggle with, so we’re excited for Margaret to share what she’s learned with us and to open up this conversation among those writing here in the Wood River Valley,” she added.

Meehan will teach how to fumble confidently, even joyfully, toward the light. She’ll also discuss practical steps for creating and sustaining a writing practice.

Margaret Meehan is the 2023 Writing by Writers Writer-In-Residence at the Hemingway House. Her  short stories have been published in Fence, Joyland and Electric Literature’s Recommended Reading.

She received her MFA in fiction from Columbia University, where she was awarded the Felipe P. De Alba Fellowship and taught in the undergraduate creative writing department. She won fifth prize in the 2020 Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Competition. In 2018, she was a Tin House Scholar.

She works as a fulltime copywriter while completing a short story collection and a novel.

Writing By Writers (WxW) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a rigorous, compassionate and inclusive environment to learn the art of reading and writing from accomplished authors. WxW hosts multi-day writing workshops for people interested in writing fiction, nonfiction, memoir and poetry. The workshops are taught by nationally known, published authors, who are adept at teaching the craft of writing to all levels of student. In addition, participants learn how to read other’s work critically and apply those lessons to their own writing. 

“WxW also connects writers with residencies around the country,” said Williams, “offering upcoming writers the significant opportunity of time and space to develop their creative work. We hope that all of our residencies offer this, but the WxW partnership is a special opportunity to invite talented and upcoming writers to the Hemingway House and to connect them with our community.”