Forty-five area writers were honored Sunday at Austin College. They were recognized for submitting prize-winning stories in the 19th annual Telling Our Stories autobiography contest.

Pictured below are the three top winners who shared $225 in prize money: (l-r) Julie Brown, Gordonville; Henri De Wet, Whitewright; Ruth Scrivner, Ivanhoe; along with Telling Our Stories director, Dr. Jerry Lincecum.

A free workshop on “Writing to Heal” will be offered by Dr. Lincecum at Austin College on May 29 and June 3, from 6-8 p.m.

TOS is also soliciting stories by local writers for a book on the theme “Contemplating Cancer: Stories of Love, Laughter, and Loss."

For more information, call 903-893-6041 or email: jlincecum@austincollege.edu.

 What is "Telling Our Stories"?

First-Born, Middle Child, Caboose: Stories about Birth Order and Family Relationships (2007) is the sixth book of stories published by "Telling Our Stories," a humanities project at Austin College which provides support and training for individuals who want to write personal stories and family histories. The project has offered monthly classes and annual contests for elderwriters since 1990.

Co-directors of the project are two Austin College faculty, Dr. Jerry Lincecum, Professor Emeritus of English, and Dr. Peggy Redshaw, Professor of Biology. Members of the advisory committee from the community are Judge R. C. Vaughan, Norma Jean Fry, Evelyn Low, and Sam Lusk.

The first book, entitled Grayson County Reminiscences 1846-1996, was published in February 1996, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of Grayson County. Texas Family Secrets, published in 1997, was the second book. Appearing in 1999 was the third book, entitled Texas Millennium Book: The Way Things Used to Be. More Texas Family Secrets (2003) included an appendix on "How to Write Your Life Story." The fifth book, Remembering School Days, has stories by 48 authors plus an index to Grayson County Common Schools of the early 20th Century. Volume 6, entitled First-Born, Middle Child, Caboose: Stories about Birth Order and Family Relationships includes stories by 47 authors. Copies of the last five books may be purchased from Big Barn Books, 608 N. Cleveland, Sherman, TX 75090. Telephone: (903) 893-6041.

Funding for "Telling Our Stories" has been provided by Austin College, Sherman Council on the Arts and Humanities, the Summerlee Foundation, and private individuals.

Class Format

1. Each member is encouraged to bring a 2-4 page life story on a specific theme to each meeting and read aloud his/her story. This short story may be complete in itself, or be a starting point for a longer story to be developed later, or it may be a synopsis of a story that has already been written. The reason for specifying a 2-4 page limit is to insure that each group member has time to read and receive comments.

2. A list of sensitizing questions on each theme will be provided to help you get started. These questions are meant to stimulate thinking and to guide but not to structure or limit one's thinking. Try to write freely and simply without much concern for grammar, punctuation or style. Later revisions can address matters of clarity and correct form. The first concern in verbalizing your memories.

3. Interaction in the group is promoted in a nonjudgmental atmosphere of acceptance and support. It is essential that we create and maintain an atmosphere where every member feels welcome and able to share her/his memories and stories.

4. Each class will have a different major theme and class members are encouraged to write a story on that theme. Sensitizing questions for each of these themes will be provided in advance. However, you are always free to bring a story on any theme.

Annual Contest

Each year local writers in Grayson and adjoining counties are invited to submit an autobiographical story of 750-1500 words on a chosen theme. The deadline for entries is March 15, and in addition to each story being ranked as Gold, Silver, or Bronze, there are cash awards for the best story by a Super Senior (age 80 or more), Senior (age 60-79), and Adult (18-59).  Earning a ranking of Silver or better makes one eligible to submit a story for the next book.

Contact Information
Leader: Dr. Jerry Lincecum
Professor Emeritus of English, Austin College
Telephone: 903-893-6041