What began eight years ago at a local coffee shop with casual conversations between frequent customers evolved into a realization by several of us that we had a shared interest in books and in writing. And before we knew it others who eavesdropped into our conversations from nearby tables asked to join us in our talk about books and writing. Thus, the birth of the “26 Tiny Paintbrushes” writers guild launched by then resident Naomi Tapia and yours truly.
Of course, with growth comes challenges and our growing numbers made us realize that we’d outgrown space in the coffee shop and needed a bigger venue. As a result, we started holding monthly meetings at the Vine Café & Market in downtown Douglasville where we shared publishing tips, blogging strategies, critiqued each other’s work and hosted external authors and speakers on topics of interest. Before we knew it our membership blossomed to 35 members of accomplished and aspiring writers along with folks who relished being part of the creative juices that writers generate.
We were on a roll like no other. Then came a double whammy, the first of which was that our co-founder Naomi Tapia moved to New York and second, COVID-19 blindsided us. With those two factors taken together we saw a sharp decrease in participation in face-to-face meetings. We gave Zoom meetings a try and held several at the home of a member yet felt adrift like a boat at sea without an anchor from the homebase we once had at the now closed Vine Café & Market.
Enter guild participant Gene Unterschuetz, co-author with his wife Phyllis in the incredible book, “Longing Stories of Racial Healing,” who along with former Douglasville Book store owner Teresa Rice and others continued to meet on the first Wednesday of every month at a local coffee shop.
Which brings us to where we former guild members and recent additions are today and, as the late baseball’s Yogi Berra once said, “Déjà vu all over again.” (26 Tiny Paintbrushes 2.0?).
So, who are we, why do we meet and what on Earth do we talk about from 10 am to noon on the first Wednesday of every month? Good questions all three.
First, our group consists of a diverse mix of authors of many books, a columnist, a college professor, a poet, a blues singer, a real estate specialist who’s also a deep thinking futurist, the brother of a fallen NASA astronaut, a didgeridoo player, a clinical social worker, gardeners, and a husband and wife pair of musicians who find time to raise chickens in Lithia Springs; all of whom share a common interest in unfiltered dialogue abetted by a courageous willingness to deep dive into tough contemporary issues facing us today.
Plain and simple, the group’s Modis operandi are to first surface a burning issue, question it to the hilt of ad nauseam, take a break then pivot without the burden of consensus to the next issue. Our “buckle your seatbelts” agenda is free flowing, fluid and flows uninterrupted in a direction decided by the interests and energy of the group.
Several members say that the group is cathartic, a rare opportunity to meet face to face away from global craziness, the lure of social media, cellphones and, ahem, dysfunctional situations and toxic relationships and the trappings of isolation and loneliness.
We don’t have rigid rules for engagement, nor are we about judging and changing minds and opinions but, rather, just listening to better understand. Basic respect is a given and no topic is off limits or taboo. Our objective is to share insights into contemporary issues and let participants decide their individual next steps and takeaways.
I’ll bring this narrative to an end with a snippet from an activity from our most recent meeting, our popular “conversation starters,” (situational analyses). By sharing them here I encourage the reader to roll up his/her sleeves and grapple with them as well:
- What are you thinking and maybe worrying about these days?
- What in sequential order are your top three life priorities this year and how may they have to be reordered based on unforeseen circumstances beyond your control?
- What are at least three of your most prized possessions, without which your life would be difficult to sustain?
- What are the terms, conditions and parameters under which you would consider allowing someone back into your circle of family, friends, etc., who hurt or otherwise betrayed you in some manner?
- What techniques do you employ to communicate with people who hold sincerely held beliefs and opinions that sharply differ from yours?
- Share a quote or cliché that resonates and aligns with your current perspective and overall experiences in life.
So, in the end, what do we call ourselves? ……26 Tiny Paintbrushes 2.0.? …..First Wednesday Road Warriors? Something else?…I haven’t the foggiest idea.
Well since words and titles are restrictive by nature, your guess is as good and as valid as mine.
Happy New Year!
Photo by Tom Hermans on Unsplash
- The legacy of Dr. Gladys West – by Terry Howard - February 1, 2026
- 26 Tiny Paintbrushes 2.0? Well not so fast! – by Terry Howard - February 1, 2026
- Recharging African and Jewish American Dialogues – by Terry Howard - January 27, 2026