Serendipity By Debbie Meeks-

It started with a kernel of an idea by a former schoolteacher to encourage women to write their personal stories. She started a discussion group where women could learn more about the craft of writing. With a base of operations at the Madison County Library, news spread by word of mouth and budding writers came. Some have dropped out and others have joined, but nearly three years later, the group has settled into a core group of seven who call themselves The Guild. The group comes from different occupational backgrounds, from homemaking to healthcare, business to teaching. Some are previously published authors, and others are writing creatively for the first time. But all share, and have come to love, the art and form of writing. Many forms of writing have been covered during their journey, from journalism, short stories, fairy tales to mysteries. Local authors have been invited in to share their expertise and words of wisdom. When the art form of poetry led to an interest in writing song lyrics, the group went in search of a musical mentor. They found musician Nathan Sheppard. Nathan is a local singer, songwriter and producer. For close to three decades, Nathan has played and toured regionally as a solo artist, with The Nathan Sheppard Band, and as opening act with Leon Russel, The Neville Brothers and Jefferson Starship, to name a few. Nathan agreed to share his talents with this group of budding songwriters, and much to his surprise, became very interested in the idea. He volunteered to write music for the lyrics and a project was born. Working with Nathan for the last two years, The Guild learned about copyrighting, finding singers, designing CD covers and other music industry mysteries. Calling themselves “7&1” the group is in final production to release a CD, titled “Almost, Not Quite.” The title reflects the variety of musical genres in the collection that border on country, rock, folk and reggae. Born of an idea, nurtured in the backrooms of the Madison County Library, a group of women and one musician have created a collection of songs that none of them could have imagined a few years ago. It was a little…..Serendipity.