Pay It Forward
By Daniel Stallings, East Sierra Branch
Writers form communities. Whether it be by genre, style, or even just for the love of storytelling, writers have come together throughout the ages to support fellow wordsmiths. It’s a tradition we at Ridge Writers – and the California Writers Club – have worked to maintain as we help our members grow as authors and give them encouragement and opportunities to make that transition from “Associate” to “Active.” We want our members to succeed. Across history, writers have been helping other writers through brainstorming, critique, networking, and connections that have shaped and preserved the art of writing for generations. In a way, we’re paying it forward, one generation helping the next, one member helping another to continue our traditions as storytellers.
For instance, recently I have learned of the passing of CWC member of the Writers of Kern, Dan McGuire. This came as quite a blow to me as Dan was the man who spearheaded my doing a show for the Writers of Kern. In 2015, he was an honored guest and judge for our Weird Storytelling Competition for Weird Weekend. He came to see Hello Out There, written by C. R. Rowenson and myself, and when the show ended, he came up, shook my hand, and said “We have to bring you to Bakersfield.” In
February 2017, we made it come true with Murder at the Broken Heart Mine. Although I am saddened by his passing, I recall with a smile how much work he put into giving me the opportunity to expand my fledgling business and share it with his beloved club.
No doubt in Dan’s past there were people who gave him a chance, and he was paying it forward when he offered me one. I try to remember that and offer any opportunities I know I can give to my fellow word-weavers. This year, in fact, C. R. Rowenson, who has collaborated with me on two previous mysteries, is going solo for this September’s Weird Weekend. It’s all his own story and concept, and I’m so excited to not only see what he produces, but also to have been able to give him an opportunity to really shine like the star he is. I’m paying it forward.
This tribute to Dan McGuire
first appeared in Daniel’s president’s column
in the July 2017 Ridge Writers newsletter.
Ridge Writers is CWC’s East Sierra Branch.