Hundreds with the desire to polish their skills and increase the power of their prose gathered March 7-8, in Berlin, Ohio, for the Plain Community Writers Workshop held at Dayspring Mennonite Church. Through classes, sessions, and fellowship, attendees learned new ways to sharpen their writing.

Plenty of eager writers attended who were able to learn valuable skills. However, as one attendee noted, better than learning about adverbs, adjectives, and pronouns, was being inspired to put themselves out there as writers and become better.

“Write plain so others can run with it,” encouraged keynote speaker Ivan Keim of Dundee, Ohio.

He challenged attendees to look back to the twelve men who sat with Jesus and contemplate how they would have reacted and what they may have written if given the opportunity. Keim noted that there are many purposes for writing, ranging from encouragement to education and entertainment to endearment.

“Don’t get caught in the web of procrastination,” he said. “Make the time, even if it is the forenoon of the second Saturday of each month, and take the time to write.”

Pointing out that it takes practice to be a good writer, Keim said, “It is easier to reign in a wild horse than to beat a dead one to life.” While there are countless ways to get started, Keim reminded the crowd that in order to get better at anything, one must start. “It’s okay to start poorly,” he said. “You just have to keep going.”

It was Jonathan Yoder who reminded the group on Friday night that God’s word is where power comes from. “God created man who can not only reason, but think — the only species that can do those things,” he explained. “We can write history, but we can also plan for the future.”

Anna Marie Bontrager encouraged attendees to invest in themselves to be the best writer they can be, but to keep it simple. “Write about what you know and are passionate about,” she said.

Daniel Miller agreed. “The person in the driver’s seat is you,” he said. “You’re the one making it happen. Trust your instincts. Don’t overthink it. Write from your perspective —who you are.”

A host of breakout sessions were offered both Friday night and Saturday morning that allowed attendees to learn about specific topics ranging from The Budget scribe letters to writers’ groups and everything in between.

Plans are already being mulled over for 2026. But for now, attendees and presenters alike, are making plans to go forth and write.

A slightly different version of this article originally appeared in the March 12, 2025 edition of The Budget. Used with permission.