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After earning her 1985 BFA in creative writing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Sally J. Walker founded the Nebraska Writers Workshop under the sponsorship of the Ralston Public Library. Interested people began meeting weekly on Wednesday evenings to discuss topics of interest in various areas of writing and to read from fledgling works in progress. Over the next three years the regular attendees chose to have brief, researched presentations by members in the areas of Poetry, Scripting (stage and film), and Fiction. Since it was a matter of "writers-helping-writers," no fee has ever been charged, but a "good will" offering is collected to thank the library for their meeting space. A variety of professional speakers have added programming spice including a film editor, a small publisher, a theatrical director, an actor, and various topical experts. From an irregular attendance of 3-5 writers, the around-the-calendar meetings now have 10-20 people gathered for the non-credit continuing education, industry updates, and motivational support of reading and critiquing one another's works. Once committed to an active membership, people are invited to join the closed e-mail list the group maintains through Yahoo. A cycle of traditional social events provide variety to the gatherings including, a party in April to celebrate Shakespeare's birthday and works, a June picnic with readings in the Ralston Park, the annual weekend writers retreat in October, and the Holiday Party in December where everyone reviews their year's writing accomplishments and sets goals for the coming year.
Other writing organizations represented in the membership include the Nebraska Writers Guild, Romance Writers of America (RWA), Western Writers of America (WWA), the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), the Police Writers Association, the Dramatists Guild, the local Theater Arts Guild and the Omaha Film Festival. Several members are actively working toward eligibility in Mystery Writers of America and the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America. The film industry locally and in Hollywood is familiar with many of NWW's screenwriters. Most of the poets are actively publishing, involved in the reading circuit and competing in slam events.
The common thread running through NWW is the members are seriously committed to succeeding in their craft through education and practice.
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