Writers group still scribbling

ONE Thursday evening each month, the Sebastopol Library becomes the meeting point for an all-inclusive LGBTIQA+ writer’s group for people to share ideas and express their creativity.

Launched on IDAHOBIT Day in 2017 by queer advocate and writer KL Joy as the planned inaugural Rainbow Writers branch, the group now exists as the Ballarat sQribblers helmed by facilitator Luke Donehue.

Mx Joy said the idea grew out of a visit from then-gender and sexuality commissioner Ro Allen’s Rainbow Regional Roadshow, which sought to get a better understanding of queer needs in rural communities.

“We filled two whiteboards with what Ballarat already had queer-wise, and I realised there was nothing for people under 25 who didn’t want to go out drinking or to a drag show,” Mx Joy said.

“I was missing my writer’s group I had in Melbourne so I took that style and brought it here to create that space where people could share what they’re working on and really develop.

“It was there to foster connection in regional communities and I intended for Ballarat to be the first branch before creating one in Geelong and Bendigo.”

The original meetings ran fortnightly at the Ballarat Library with a core of about 12 regular attendees, featuring lesson plans from Mx Joy and guest speakers from writes like Quinn Eades and Nevo Zisin.

Following Mx Joy’s discontinuation of the events due to health reasons, the group was dormant until early 2022 when Mr Donehue revived it initially through the Ballarat Libraries’ Libraries After Dark program.

He said the new incarnation of the group’s meetups is less focused on enhancing abilities.

“It’s more of a relaxed atmosphere and less structured or skillsets-based class. It’s more about having fun writing,” he said.

“It’s been a real benefit for some of us. We did a letter-writing session and it got one of our members thinking about the allies in her life.

“We’ve had sessions where people have been crying and sharing really raw things and others where there’s been uproarious laughter.”

The group can be found via the Wrainbow Writers – Ballarat sQribblers facebook page.