Ablank page. The cursor blinks, the clock ticks, fingers drum on the keyboard or tap a good ol’ pencil. Thoughts wander to snack time, bedtime, and perhaps even laundry time. Think. Think! The writer’s quest for the perfect words can continue for hours and hours.
Writer’s block – we’ve all been there.
Yet, the world brims with writing: TV shows, novels, songs, Broadway performances, and stand-up comedy routines— all are born from the minds of creators who likely pulled out a hair or two in the process.
How do some local writers confront the blank page and bring their stories to life?
Carol Dannhauser, an award-winning journalist and writing professor, shares her advice. “Writers need to immerse themselves in the process and forget the fear of rejection,” she says. Dannhauser is the co-founder of the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio and Fairfield County Story Lab, conveniently located in downtown Fairfield, and has been supporting and teaching writers for years.
Nietzsche once said, “A good writer possesses not only his own spirit, but also the spirit of his friends.” Dannhauser agrees – she believes that while writing is solitary, it doesn’t have to be lonely. On any day at The Lab, there is a diverse mix of genre writers, such as novelists, children’s authors, and memoirists. Some write in the solitude of private rooms designed for quiet work while others choose group seating arranged like a cozy living room for collaborative brainstorming.
“There is a beehive mentality, the buzz of the newsroom that I’ve always missed,” Dannhauser says. “It is a space where writers can get feedback if they want and then go face the wall to work if they prefer.”
The Lab’s membership extends beyond the writing space. It includes events and workshops such as Write-Ins, First Page Fridays, Memoir Wednesdays and Just Hit Send, a session which encourage writers to pursue publication. Dannhauser celebrates every writer’s achievement, big or small.
Alison Morretta has written an armload of nonfiction books and is now focusing on fiction writing. She can be seen most mornings at the Lab working on her novel or a short story to escape distractions at home. Morretta’s trick to keeping the words flowing is to juggle one or two projects. “It may slow down the process, but it’s less frustrating when I get stuck,” she explains. “Then I can return to my work with fresh eyes.”
Morretta appreciates that the Lab has a good creative vibe with a balance of dedicated writers to bounce ideas. “People are excited to talk about your work, but there is respect for quiet,” she says.
Sharing space with the Lab is the Fairfield County Writers’ Studio. The Studio offers in-person and online classes for both seasoned and beginners looking to refine their skills. These classes cover various genres, including craft writing, memoirs, fantasy, sci-fi, children’s literature, and a newly introduced class on short film scripts.
In Dannhauser’s popular craft class, she encourages her students to dig deep, find their unique voice, and create compelling stories. “Nobody is going to write Stephen King better than him or Toni Morrison better than Toni. Everyone has their own thing. You fail a lot in writing, but you need to keep trying in order to get better,” says Dannhauser.
Are you a plotter or a “pantser,” Dannhauser may ask. Do you plan out your story or fly by the seat of your pants? Whatever the approach, each writer in class has time to share their work and receive gentle and honest feedback. But writers beware, Dannhauser will madly and intentionally slash all unnecessary adverbs! “If your verb is strong enough, you shouldn’t need an adverb,” she says.
Gaby Pirro is a new Lab member and student in the craft class. She is a chemical engineer by profession and recently turned to writing. “This is back to learning for me. I’m here putting in the effort and Carol has been essential to me,” Pirro says.
On a recent afternoon at the Lab, Pirro bravely read an excerpt from her memoir. The room was silent as several writers listened teary-eyed. “I want to honor my life’s story and it needs to be told,” she says.
Lots of people have a story to tell – sometimes it takes lots of people to help you tell it. For more information about Fairfield County Story Lab or Fairfield County Writers’ Studio, please call 203-374-8343 or visit fcstorylab.com and fcwritersstudio.com
“Saying Goodbye,” a homework assignment from Craft class, was later published on 101words.org. •
