By Rose Picón, staff writer

Are you a creative writer or a poet? Do you have a non-creative job and want to express your creative voice? Ever dreamed of writing your own novel? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then read carefully: Opportunities await you at the YMCA’s Downtown Writer’s Center.

This year, the Downtown Writer’s Center (DWC) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of its mission to bring together a community of writers in Syracuse. This achievement could not have materialized without the help of Phil Memmer, executive director of the Arts Branch, an initiative of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse and under which the DWC is housed. In 2000, when Memmer, a writer and poet from Columbus, Ohio, became the executive director, he was interested in starting some sort of creative writing program, but he wasn’t sure exactly what it could be.

“I talked to some people and realized that there wasn’t much going on in the community with writing – nothing outside the collegiate setting.” After tossing around ideas with fellow writers and arts enthusiasts, Memmer decided to start the Downtown Writer’s Center. The DWC was a hit from go, instantly attracting more people than expected. “We originally thought that we would do a dozen workshops a year, a couple of readings, you know, maybe a maximum of four or five,” Memmer recalls. “By the time we finished our first year, we had hosted about 30 workshops and had had about 15 authors come in for readings. We’ve been expanding ever since.”

The DWC now hosts 50 to 60 workshops and brings in 20 to 25 authors a year! About 1,000 people attend readings or other DWC events. “It’s getting to be a sizable group of folks. Of course, we’d love to see it double, triple or even quadruple, because there are a lot of writers in the area who still don’t know that we’re here and still don’t know we’re doing something they’d like.”

While the Arts Branch focuses mostly on afterschool arts and music programs for children, the DWC isn’t really a program intended for the little ones. Though the DWC is beginning to do some work in elementary schools, the intended audience for the program ranges from recent college graduates to senior citizens, and the content is just as broad. Students can study poetry, fiction, or creative non-fiction. Some of the programs, like DWC Pro, are more intense and demanding than others. Memmer describes DWC Pro as a graduate program without the degree. “That particular course asks students to write a thesis, which is about two-thirds of a published book. It’s great for working adults, retirees or empty-nesters that have always wanted to write a book but haven’t come around to it yet. You earn a graduate-like experience without moving across the country or paying an arm and a leg.”

If you don’t feel there’s an ounce of writer’s blood in your veins, but you enjoy listening to poetry and creative writing, then consider soaking up the lyrical words of authors at one of the DWC’s monthly readings at the downtown YMCA, located at 340 Montgomery Street, just steps off the Connective Corridor bus. All readings are free and take place in a small, Tudor-style room that offers an intimate environment straight out of the Shakespearian era.

The poetry readings are a great way for you to listen as your friends and peers share their stories. Memmer reflects, “One of the great things about writing is that it’s an accessible art form. All you need is a pen, a piece of paper and a little bit of time.” To learn more about the programs that the DWC offers and information on this month’s readings, check out the YMCA’s website.