“I love the process of writing. I can’t wait to get together with them!” That’s the sentiment felt by retired Local 44 propman and MPTF resident David Quick about The Grey Quill Society, our campus writing group which gathers weekly for residents and volunteers to explore their creativity and document their lives. Grey Quill has just published Volume 5, its latest collection of work. 
Begun in 2013, the group meets weekly to share and refine their writing regardless of their level of experience. A Local 44 member since 1973, David, who got his start on TV shows like Cannon and movies like All the President’s Men and The Last Tycoon, had tried his hand at writing a memoir years ago but never considered himself a writer – until now. “The ability to share and get feedback and give it back is so wonderful,” he says. “The people are extraordinarily helpful, and I’m growing and feeling more confident. There are people who never wrote a thing and suddenly they’re writing every week and exchanging questions.”
The Grey Quill workshops are facilitated by MPTF supporter and filmmaker Victoria Bullock, who oversees the creation of their books every two years. In fact, it takes about a year to build each one, working with each writer to select the pieces they want to include and refining the work. It also includes arranging an original cover for the volume, with the most recent one by Ed Gaskew of The Animation Guild. “They surprise themselves with how much they can do,” Victoria says of the Quills. “There’s a fear of writing and putting your words on paper. When they learn their work is valid and appreciated by others, it’s a really big deal. The new members are bringing a boldness that also inspires some of the veteran members.” As for the new book, she feels, “It’s got all of your classics – stories to make you laugh and cry, and some really great pieces about how amazing it is to work in entertainment.”
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