I knew about the Mt. Diablo
Branch of CWC for some time before joining. I had already been commercially
published in the 1980s—a three-volume nonfiction work under the series title,
Adult-to-Adult (Winston Press, Minneapolis, MN). Today, that title might sound
sexy. Not then. The series was meant for Christian discussion groups. Since they
sold well, I thought, “This writing/publishing thing is easy.”
I still didn’t think the
series stamped my ticket as a “professional writer.” To be a real writer I undertook the task of
writing a real book, a . . . drum roll . . . novel. It took eight
years of writing and editing to arrive at a finished product and secure a
literary agent. More editing delays. Finally, the book sold to a mass-market
paperback house in Canada.
Any writer who knows the
thrill of ripping open a box and seeing the cover of that first published
book—although this wasn’t—will identify with my gut response. There it was! A Love Forbidden. A novel. A real book.
With my name on the cover. I don’t mind telling you that I cried tears of authorial
pride—and relief. I had finally met my own artificial standard for joining CWC.
I soon learned that, during
those years of solitary labor, I would have benefitted greatly by association
with a professional writing community. Such influence would have improved the
quality of my writing. Just walking into the room for our monthly gettogethers,
I am energized by the creative vibes electrifying the atmosphere. Dozens of novels
and short stories buzz around inside the attendees, all in various drafts and phases
of development. Memoirs, biographies and, of course, the imaginings of talented
poets in our midst further ratchet up the voltage. I always leave having experienced
a revival of my own creative juices. Over the years, dozens of my professional
colleagues in CWC MD have also become dear and valued friends.
So, whenever I’m asked why I
belong to the California Writers Club and faithfully attend almost every
meeting . . . and why I have given back by serving two terms as president and still
do as a board member, I reply with sincerity: “This is about the only place I
can go every month where people understand the Writer-Me. When we converse
about aspects of our creative calling, they know what I’m talking about.” Every
writer needs this kind of affirmation.
Note: To date, I have published 12 books and adapted three of my
seven novels into screenplays, which I currently market on InkTip.com. My most
recent book is The
Soul of Art (nonfiction). Another nonfiction work-in-progress is
grinding its way through a tortuous first draft.
(c) 2017 by Alfred J. Garrotto
All rights reserved
All rights reserved
