“I write with WCC because it is the most honest and healing place I find myself.” – Aldonna Stremecki, WCC Staff
In celebration of our return to Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA), we are pleased to introduce Aldonna Stremecki, WCC Special Projects and Strategic Partnerships Associate. Behind the scenes at WCC, Aldonna inspires and brings to life tremendous opportunities for our community of writers such as TIFA programming, and our Wildfire Write series.
This month, we invited Aldonna to reflect on her experiences as a WCC writer, facilitator, and team member.
ALDONNA: Having recently retired from teaching Drama, I was approached by WCC Executive Director Doug G. to work with him at The Storefront in Scarborough on a “page to stage” project that would have WCC writers reading their work under the spotlight. We got so close to sharing our collective piece when COVID struck. Silver lining: having been so awed by these writers, I welcomed the opportunity to train virtually as a facilitator!
My first amazing facilitating gig with Writers Collective of Canada – then named Toronto Writers Collective – was with mentor extraordinaire Marion K. I had found a place to engage with others in a creative endeavour but it was oh so much more as I would discover! 
Meanwhile the team was looking for a part-time staffer to support special events, and I was approached because of my work as a school director. A virtual fundraiser was one of my first assignments. We included a write that night: imagine seeing all of those writers on screen, then watching favourite lines populating the chat – wow! Feedback from new writers? “Ah. Now I get it!”
And so thought, what if we were to create an opportunity to introduce newcomers to the WCC process in a way that could engender a deeper understanding of the impact of diverse voices sharing, being heard and positively affirmed in a brave, egalitarian space in the shape of a workshop series? Could we create a chance to witness a magic which is hard to explain but so breathtaking to experience. Our quarterly Wildfire Writes series was the answer.
Our collaborations with TIFA also provide a chance to further broaden our reach. We have celebrated WCC storytellers both virtually and in person onstage. And we have been facilitating writing workshops at TIFA’s lakeside event space excited to guide people to understanding our work by experiencing it! This year we are thrilled to hold an immersive panel discussion with WCC writers and published authors onstage to have a conversation about why we write.
I feel so blessed to have found this deep listening space where I have learned to listen better. To appreciate the many journeys that are bravely shared. I write with WCC because it is the most honest and healing place I find myself. I am so grateful for this!
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Thank you, Aldonna, for creating inspiring and courageous opportunities for the WCC community over the years. We can’t wait to see you at TIFA!
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