Observations From Hadleyville: THE SABLE QUILL AWARD

Thursday, December 8, 2011

THE SABLE QUILL AWARD

Next week the High Desert Christian Writers will meet for our annual Christmas party. Each year we award the coveted "Sable Quill" to the member of the group we deem to have accomplished the most as a writer. It's a group vote by ballot cast at our November meeting. I (insert maniacal laugh of power) am the only one who knows who this years recipient is.

There are at least three valuable reasons to be part of a writers critique group. FELLOWSHIP: as a writer, you know what is is to be different from the other children. You need to find others, like you, who look at a gorgeous sunset and think primarily of strong verbs. CRITIQUES: Iron sharpens iron. Writers help each other hone their craft. The big writers conferences are where the macro lessons are learned. A local critique group gives that input all year long. ACCESS: You need to meet and network with other writers, agents and editors in the business. As a member of a writers group you will network with others, sharing information and contacts. I highly recommend you find or start your own group.

If you plan to be in the Antelope Valley next Tuesday morning and you'd like to attend, be our guest. Email me and I'll give you the GPS coordinates. (that's address, for those of you over 50)

UPDATE: this year's award winner is Stephen Hutson.

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WORDS OF WISDOM FOR WRITERS

The secret of becoming a writer is that you have to write. You have to write a lot. You also have to finish what you write, even though no one wants it yet. If you don't learn to finish your work, no one will ever want to see it. The biggest mistake new writers make is carrying around copies of unfinished work to inflict on their friends.

I am sure it has been done with less, but you should be prepared to write and throw away a million words of finished material. By finished, I mean completed, done, ready to submit, and written as well as you know how at the time you wrote it.
-Jerry Pournelle

WHAT'S THIS HADLEYVILLE THING?

Those of you familiar with Mark Twain’s works might recognize my blog title. As Samuel Clemons grew older, he became increasingly disillusioned with humanity. Towards the end he began referring to the Damned Human Race; employing the secular and religious epithet at one stroke.

I find I’ve not reached that level of despair myself. I still believe in redemption and I still see signs of nobility even among we fallen, damned creatures. So, I could not bring myself to call this blog “On the Damned Human Race.” I do however, resonate with another of Clemmons stories; “The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg.” And viola, there you have it. “Observations From Hadleyville.”