Mary Charles encouraged her audience to write down snippets of life experiences. The moments can be big or small, but they are moments in time that deserve to be remembered. Charles is an essayist, memoir writer, President of the Gulf Coast Writers Association and an award-wining author published in the Fort Myers Florida Weekly newspaper. She developed her love of storytelling at Tamiami Tale Tellers where the art of storytelling thrives.
She invited her audience to write their own life experiences to share with family members young and old. Before the first word was ever scribed on paper, storytelling was passed down generation to generation. Those stories are still remembered today. Charles gathered together tales of heroism and humanity found in dozens of memories shared by people who lived through Hurricane Ian. She put them together into Story Storm a book that became a bestseller on Amazon. Story Storm is a collection of work by the Gulf Coast Writers Association containing 80 stories of survival. Charles said, “The idea was to help people heal from Hurricane Ian. Everyone has a story to tell.” Charles smiled when she said, “Your grandchildren probably won’t be interested in your stories today, but as they get older, your voice will become their prized possession.”
There are no hard and fast rules on how to write a memoir. Simply start. As your story builds, develop your characters and setting. When you write, there are no deadlines or grades given. You are sharing yourself in real life. No one else can write your story.
For writers looking for a community, Gulf Coast Writers Association Inc. (GCWA) provides a forum of fellowship, education and information for writers, editors, and associates. Based in Fort Myers, GCWA attracts members from throughout Southwest Florida. The association offers prominent speakers and dynamic workshops at monthly meetings (in-person or via Zoom). Expert advice on writing techniques, publishing, and marketing is freely shared. The literary genres run the gamut from poetry, adult fiction, and nonfiction to children’s books, young adult, historical fiction, romance, mystery/thriller, memoir, essay, and screenplays. Members include new and established writers, corporate professionals, teachers, and business owners, working or retired.
Each year, the Gulf Coast Writers Association holds a writing contest. Writers may submit work in three genres: fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. First place, second place, and third place prizes will be given in each genre.
There is no limit on the number of entries, but there is only one prize per author. In addition, the winners will be published on the website and possibly in Fort Myers Magazine. The contest for 2026 is accepting submissions from November 1, 2025, to March 15, 2026. The only way to submit is through our website by completing the entry form. Enter as often as you like, but you must pay a separate fee for each submission.
And there’s more…
In addition, GCWA is proud to participate in the Fort Myers Reading Festival on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Myers Regional Library.
GCWA will host a booth at the festival featuring 12 of our member authors as well as over 24 famous authors. The event is completely free to attend, members, future members, and the community are welcome to enjoy the fun, meet local writers, and celebrate the love of reading. To learn more visit: http://gulfcoastwriters.org
