Member Bio: Donna Marrin
Donna Marrin works as an advertising/corporate communications writer and editor, most currently as the Senior Copywriter/Editor for a leading Canadian retail chain.
Donna established the Markham Village Writers’ Group in September of 1999, for the benefit of adults sharing her passion for writing. The group’s mission: To inspire each other to write regularly.
In 2004, Donna arranged a collaboration of the Markham Village Writers and the Markham Group of Artists to produce an anthology of short fiction and full-colour, juried artwork, The Collected Works, distributed throughout York Region and catalogued in Library and Archives Canada.Donna also volunteered for three years as editor and contributing writer for the Markham Arts Council publication, Arts In Motion.
To celebrate the MVWG’s 10th Anniversary in 2009, Donna launched the ezine-style website, www.markhamvillagewriters.com. The site showcases the work of members, provides an ongoing directory of literary events taking place in Markham and surrounding areas, and features interesting information and helpful resources for writers.
Donna’s publication credits include creative non-fiction, informational articles, poetry and short fiction published in the Canadian Writer’s Journal, a Prevention Magazine special edition book, the 2008 and 2009 business editions of Superbrands Canada coffee table books, CanadaOne.com business ezine, Absolute Write ezine, Mocha Memoirs literary ezine, and numerous other publications. Donna is currently working on a variety of writing projects.
Mackie Award Winner, 2010 Markham Arts Council
At a reception held at the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville on Sunday, April 11th, Donna accepted her Mackie Award, which she won for her contribution to literary arts in the community.
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Get to Know Literary Ontario, with Donna Marrin of the Markham Village Writers: An Interview
Donna Marrin, founder of the Markham Village Writers, talks to Open Book about the writing group, their on-line magazine and her own creative projects… Read the interview here at: http://www.openbookontario.com/news/get_know_literary_ontario_donna_marrin_markham_village_writers
A Day in the Life of this Writer
By Donna Marrin
I slouch before my PC screen.
Fresh document. So bare. So clean.
I itch to write a simple line,
But not a thought will come to mind.
I usually have too much to say.
Damn brain; it’s shooting blanks today.
My need to write’s a gnawing ache…
Grey matter, please! It’s time to wake!
O! Woe is me! I think I’ll try
To spark things with a nip of rye.
Alas! She’s back—O heav’nly brain!
Back in the saddle, I am, again.
Thoughts a-flame; hair’s on fire,
I’m higher than a frequent flyer.
?Of this writing life, I’ll never tire.
June 7th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Loved this story the first time I read it and I loved it again! Besides, it makes me somewhat “famous” too! Love, Sue (the nextdoor neighbour)
March 29th, 2010 at 7:23 am
Hi Donna- is there no end to your talents? I read a couple of your pieces and one or two poems and I’m filled with envy that you can evoke such emotion. I’m not going to read any more. It’s bad enough at our meetings, when I have to suffer being exposed to the vast pool of talent around the table, and I feel the sinking in the pit of my belly as my turn to ‘expose’ myself draws nearer. As a writer I cannot help but relate to your account of letting the latest baby go ‘out there’. I am about to release my precious infant to the cruel world of critics, but who knows? There may be some positive feedback to- which brings me another relevant point- are we critiquing each others’ work enough in our group? I notice the couple of writer’s stories I read didn’t have any comments, even though they have been posted for quite a while. Let’s hope the reason is we’re all too busy writing!! Once again, you have my admiration and thanks for such entertaining, innovative and clever writing!
April 15th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Hi Donna, I just read ‘Together Again’ and I’m stunned. The description of her reaction to Pete entering the kitchen is sheer brilliance and the masterful building of the fear and suspense has me speechless with envy. What a craftsperson you are. Don’t dare to tell me you haven’t been published, but I do want to know where I can buy more of your work. Sincerly, Betty