Sedalia newcomers put thoughts on paper in writing class

John and Bea Warder can find inspiration for their creative writing in their families’ histories, their feelings on procrastination or the simple pleasures of enjoying open-air breakfasts on the deck at their home.

After living and working in Minnesota for much of their lives, the couple moved to Sedalia last year to help care for Bea’s mother. Since then, they have discovered a new outlet, as well as talents they never knew they had, through taking creative writing classes at the Sedalia Senior Center.

“We initially were interested in the class because I was encouraging John to write his memoirs, and we thought we might get advice for that,” Bea said.

Before getting involved with the class, their writing experience was mostly limited to penning work-related documents. Once they retired, John started writing more recreationally while Bea edited some of his work.

But both were quickly intrigued by the class, and are now enjoying the chance to channel their creativity through their writing.

“She got into it. She loves it, and I love it too,” John said. “We get to express things we’ve forgotten for years and years.”

The Warders said in addition to helping everyone in the class improve their writing, Fayrene Mayes, who teaches the creative writing class, gives examples from some of her own writing, recommends books and provides assignments that challenge the inventiveness of those in the class.

When assigned to weigh the pros and cons of procrastination, John and Bea learned they came out on different sides of the argument. They said their creativity and approach to writing also was tested when they faced writing an entire essay without using the letter “e.”

For assignments in which they are given more freedom in selecting their topics, the Warders draw on a variety of personal experiences for their works.

Mayes said the Warders’ personal stories provide unique and interesting insight into some of the history of the area, calling the couple “a great addition to our class.”

For John, recalling conversations with his grandfather about his encounters with desperadoes, wild animals and thieves while working in the early 1900s on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, called “The Katy,” inspired a story about the experiences leading a crew of railroad workers known as gandy dancers.

Mayes said while some of the more dramatic encounters gave color to John’s writing, she was most impressed by the vivid details he recounted from his grandfather’s stories.

“The whole class enjoyed his story. In fact, we had him read it before the class a second time when we had more people attending,” Mayes said. “It is an excellent story. He even had the chant the gandy dancers did as they were laying ties.”

In part of his essay, “The Gandy Dancer Doesn’t Dance Anymore,” John wrote:

“If you could observe the gandy dancers working, you would see two men working side-by-side tapping a railroad spike into wooden ties. These wooden ties are approximately 8-by-8-inch creosote planks which hold the tracks in place. You would also see men working to the sway of chanting — alternately hammering a steel spike to the syncopated rhythm of a song. For example:

Pick and shovel ... huh
Am so heavy ... huh
Heavy as lead ... huh
Heavy as lead ... huh
Pickin and shovlin ... huh
Pickin and shovlin ... huh
Till I’m dead ... huh
Till I’m dead ... huh

There were different tempos for different tasks. Slower tempos were used for unloading, stocking and handling ties.”

Bea, who was raised in Sedalia, has drawn inspiration for her works from topics ranging from the unexpected pleasures associated with the small joys in life to the challenges her family faced while she was growing up in modest conditions. She said reflecting on those topics for her writing has provided her with a new perspective on many things.

“One of the interesting things about coming back home is that my mother passes on to me stories about her life,” she said. “I write a lot about things like that, but it’s different after coming back after so many years. It can be humbling to look back.”

Along with having the creative outlet to learn more about themselves, the community and writing, the Warders said the class also helped them meet new people and get involved in other local groups, whether it is learning to play bridge with a new club or participating in Whiteman’s Base Community Council.

“It’s a really diverse class with many good writers,” Bea said. “It is such an outlet, and it’s a great way to meet new people and get involved in the community.”