Friends of the Library, along with Poets and Writers magazine, sponsored Susan Wooldridge, a poet and teacher who conducts workshops nationally as well as in the California Poets in the Schools program.

Susan hosted a poetry workshop on April 29 at the Quincy library, and is the author of the books “Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words,” “Bathing with Ants,” and “Foolsgold: Making Something from Nothing (and freeing your creative process.)”

Woolridge spoke about her experience working with (often troubled, in juvenile hall) youth, and the positive impacts poetry has made in transforming people's lives, and the experiences she has had inspiring students through the art of language. She expressed how when people observe inner reflection, how then it transforms into an ability to observe their outside reality from a more positive perspective.

Woolridge's free-spirited approach to wordplay and her enthusiasm and passion for the written language was evident within the first few minutes of the class. She taught different exercises through writing prompts, in order to accomplish what she said is the reason why she teaches in the first place, to invoke personal self-expression in everyone, which is exactly what she accomplished.

Lunch was provided by Quincy food provisions, and there were a large number of attendees. We hope she can return soon, and perhaps in more libraries in the Plumas/Sierra County region!