You Can’t Revise a Blank Sheet of Paper
By Bob Isbill, High Desert Branch
A panel of four first-time book authors, all members of the High Desert Branch of the California Writers Club (HDCWC), spoke to a Hesperia Library audience about the challenges and rewards involved in writing and publishing a book. The event was emceed by HDCWC President Dwight Norris and featured author-members Mary DeSatnis, Debby Detering, Elizabeth Pye, and Emma Hill. All had published a book since June of 2016.
At one point when Norris asked the panel how it felt when they were able to hold their book in their hands and realized the dream had been accomplished, DeSantis asked if he wanted a demonstration, and then clutched her new novel and jumped up and down excitedly.
The authors noted how helpful it was to have the support system provided by membership in the century-old nonprofit organization, and advised that in order to write a book, you need to just write. Don’t worry about how good the writing is, just write it. Your story can change in re-write, but author Detering observed that you can’t revise a blank sheet of paper.
The panel is the first meeting of a series of writing-related events co-sponsored by the HDCWC and the Hesperia Library to encourage the public to improve their craft by using the resources of both the public library system and the HDCWC. The meetings are open to the public at no charge.
Bob is the newest Ina Coolbrith honoree of the California Writers Club.
The CWC bestows this award for outstanding contributions
to the entire organization statewide.
The article first appeared in the July 2017 newsletter of the High Desert Branch.