By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor 

  The writing community in Henry County is alive and well thanks to the Heritage Writers Group, which has been bringing creative writers together for nearly ten years.

Heritage Writers Group members Bruce Bailey, Betty Moss, Peggy Renfroe, Merle Hardu and Don Sweetenham.          Special photo

  Local author and Heritage Writers Group founder, P.J. Renfroe, said that the group has a variety of participating writers and board members are continually try to attract new members.

  In fact, Renfroe, who has published several books, spends a good bit of her time encouraging other writers on how to fine tune their craft. She recently published a book titled “Writing the Almighty Hook” as a how-to guide for writers. The guide is intended to teach writers how to find a hook when writing and how to become better writers in the process.

  “It tells you how to be a more exciting writer, and most writers can be that,” she said.

  Renfroe said she encourages anyone who is interested in writing to attend a meeting to see what the Heritage Writers are all about. She would like to see more people join, particularly younger writers, and said that in recent years, it seems the Heritage Writers has been given a reputation as a group for older or experienced writers and that simply isn’t so.

  “We started with approximately 30 writers and throughout the years, some have moved away, people tend to come and go, but we encourage all ages and genres to come out to a meeting. We welcome everyone, but if you have written something already, feel free to bring it,” she said.

  She said the feedback and advice that members share can be invaluable, particularly for new or aspiring writers. She said she encourages people to come with several copies of a few pages of something they have written so that the group can offer insights and constructive criticism.

  “I tell everybody to leave their egos at home. Only God is perfect. They rest of us need editing,” said Renfroe.

  She said in addition to the advice and information, the group has fun.

  “It’s interesting because anytime you get a creative bunch of people in one room, it’s fun and there will be laughs,” she said.

  Many members of the Heritage Writers have had books published and through their process, they share how to avoid certain pitfalls, how to navigate the publishing process and how an author can protect his or her work.

  Don Sweetenham, a local author and columnist is a longtime member of the group who said he has benefitted from the editing and writing advice he received from Renfroe and the other members. Renfroe recently helped Don put together an eBook of his columns that is available on Amazon.

  Sweetenham is also the current president of the group and said that he encourages people to come out to a meeting.

  “Even if you haven’t written anything, but have always wanted to, the Heritage Writers is great for a little encouragement or the push you need to get started,” said Sweetenham.

  The Heritage Writers meet the first and third Saturdays of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Church of Christ Educational Building, located at 400 Lake Dow Rd. in McDonough. For more information, log on to www.heritagewriters.com or contact Betty Moss at 770-957-4992.