RANCHO SAN DIEGO –
Rita Ryan Micklish has always relished the written word.
When she was 10, she wrote letters to everyone she knew and soon started creating poems. She published her first short story in 1962, and her work has appeared in numerous publications since.
Micklish taught creative writing at San Diego State University's Extended Studies program for 17 years, though she never attended college herself. She wrote a children's book called “Sugar Bee” that was published in 1973 and has self-published 19 other books.
“I've always loved words, always loved writing,” said Micklish, a Rancho San Diego resident. “Words can begin wars, and they can end wars. They are more powerful than weapons.”
For eight years, Micklish, 78, has been sharing her love of the written word with members of a writing group that she formed. The group started at Hooley's Irish Pub in Rancho San Diego, then moved to the Rancho San Diego library when it opened in 2002.
Branch librarian Brenna Ring said Micklish's writing group provides a valuable service.
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Rancho San Diego Library writers group
Meeting days: Every first and third Thursday of the month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and/or 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Rancho San Diego branch library, 11555 Via Rancho San Diego
Admission: Free
Leader: Rita Ryan Micklish, (619) 670-6858
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“I think it's wonderful,” Ring said. “It's very popular with the customers.”
The group is free, and Micklish volunteers her time as the leader. Micklish is open to any genre of writing, but there are ground rules: Members give and receive positive feedback and encouragement, “slash and burn” criticisms aren't allowed, and reading one's work is optional because it's an environment of open sharing. She also wants to know people's responses to the work.
“We don't want readers. We crave listeners,” Micklish said.
Her goal is to help writers connect with one another.
“Writing is a solitary pursuit. It's seldom appreciated,” she said.
Some members have been with Micklish through her tenure as group leader, and others come and go, but Micklish always admires the creative process.
“I'm amazed at the quality of the work that's been produced,” she said.
Some have hit upon publishing success. Group member Keith Jones wrote a mystery called “The Mayan Equinox” that took the San Diego Mystery Book Award. He has followed it with a sequel called “The Mayan Key.”
Flo Rose is a group member who has been writing poetry off and on since the third grade. She taught sociology and English in community colleges but said she is rediscovering life through her poetry.
“It's become important to me now,” Rose said.
Micklish praised Rose's poetry.
“She has a power in her verse that just floors you,” Micklish said. “Flo writes poetry that sings. (She) has the heart and soul of a poet.”
Diana Kam, who's been with the group since 2004, is working on a historical novel for teens that revisits Pearl Harbor. Kam had dreamed of writing since she was a youngster and contacted Micklish about her idea for a book. Micklish told Kam to write it.
“I see (Micklish) as a mentor and a gift to me,” Kam said. “She draws out the best in us.”
