Gaithersburg Creative Writers

Great meeting of the Gaithersburg Creative Writers last night. Richard read an episode from his memoir that focused on his experiences as an orderly in a mental hospital during the summer of 1960, when he was beginning law school and preparing to launch what became a very successful Foreign Service career. Richard's writing is always deft, and animated by a wry, almost dead-pan tone that finds humor in daily life. Dan read a powerful reminiscence of his experience as a video editor for CBS News, reporting on the Lockerbie plane crash, which took place just a few days before Christmas. Dan has a just-the-facts-ma'am tone that, far from creating distance to the topic, makes his scenes come alive. Natalie and Bryan read haikus about Christmas. The group was in a festive mood and there was a lively convivial moment at the end of the session, with lingering side conversations before everyone made their ways home for final preparations for the Christmas and Hanukah festival observances. (12/17/25)