Command the subversive, taunt the dangerous, and engage the mysterious-all with words. Beware: neither writing nor reading is for the timid. Joan Didion, novelist (The Year of Magical Thinking, 2005 National Book Award) and essayist, said writing is "an aggressive, even hostile act."
So forget the old sticks and stones ditty, words carry potency. Are you ready to climb into Tucson's best writing and reading organizations for a daring ride? While the University of Arizona (english.arizona.edu) and Pima Community College (Pima.edu) are obvious, you might not need a degree or grade pressure. PCC sponsors the Pima Writers' Workshop, May 29-31, where you'll meet writers, agents, and editors, have your manuscript reviewed and learn writing tips.
Or try The Writers Studio (WriterStudio.com). Pulitzer Prize poet Philip Schultz created TWS over 20 years ago in New York; he'll be visiting Tucson for a March 26 reading at Tucson High School Library, 400 N. 2nd Ave. from 7 p.m. to 9p.m., in part to celebrate his new book, The God of Loneliness. The local TWS branch was started by Eleanor Kedney in 2005 after she left the corporate job that brought her to Arizona.
"I knew the method and wanted to teach it. I wanted to support other Tucson writers who were not in a degree program and who wanted more than a weekend workshop."
Offering 10-week sessions for all writers, its method emphasizes the writer's connection to the persona narrator and development of craft, "just as you would develop for painting or playing a musical instrument," says Alan Frolich, a physician, who's spent over a year in the program. Even taking a few sessions was valuable for JoAn Stafford, realtor and now full-time mom, who says she experienced a "safe, nonjudgmental environment to explore and experiment with writing techniques." Kedney teaches a free introductory class on March 23. For more information, email eleanor@writerstudio.com or call 743-8214.
If you're writing sans class, and hope for time and quiet to explore writing's aggressive nature a la Didion, then Casa Libre en la Solana (CasaLibre.org), 228 N. 4th Ave., may be for you. Founded in 2003 as a writer residency program, it's had to scale back for lack of grant funding during the economic downturn. But make no mistake: the organization is alive, vital, and rejuvenating itself according to TC Tolbert, Casa's Assistant Director. All five suites are presently rented. Casa encourages writerly connections through monthly reading salons at its library where guest writers talk about process and craft. February saw Casa partnering with a Seattle writing group that helped support poet Camille Dungy's workshop, and in April, Casa plans a non-residency storytelling workshop with Penelope Starr, Odyssey Storytelling Series founder.
Casa also hosts the Tucson chapter of the national Editorial Freelancers Association (The-EFA.org); its mission is to enhance the performance and skills of said professionals. Erin M. Wilcox is the local coordinator and facilitates the group's meetings on the third Tuesday each month. (The-EFA.org/chp/?chp=Arizona)
The Society of Southwestern Authors (SSA-AZ.org) promotes writer friendships and mentoring, recognizes members' achievements, and helps writers get published. SSA holds monthly forums for members and their guests; each September, it hosts a public Writers' Conference. Taking place this year from September 24-26, you'll find over 30 workshops and one-on-one interviews with agents, editors, film directors, and publishers. Penny Porter, Membership Chair and former SSA President, says previous conference speakers have included such notables as Ray Bradbury and the late Tony Hillerman, along with Alan Dean Foster, J.A. Jance, Clive Cussler, and Elmore Leonard (whose writing tip at one conference was: "leave out the parts that readers skip").The organization also sponsors a yearly writing contest (June 1 deadline), which, Porter says, receives as many as 300 entries in four categories.
Besides being occasionally sociable at salons or lunches, writers must be readers. Luckily, you'll discover plenty of books and authors at the second annual Tucson Festival of Books (TucsonFestivalofBooks.org), March 13-14, on the University of Arizona campus. It's all free-workshops, readings, 175 booths (TWS, SSA and EFA will all be there), author signings, and even parking. This year, over 400 authors are slated, including Dan Balz, Alice Hoffman, Phil Caputo, Michael Gelb, and Elizabeth Gunn. Over 50,000 attended last year. To manage the festivities, Peggy Dewald, co-chair of the TFOB Volunteer Committee, says over 1,200 time-slots with 775 volunteers will help.
Following the book festival is the 28th annual Tucson Poetry Festival (TucsonPoetryFestival.org), being held at Club Congress (311 E. Congress St.) and Tucson High Library (400 N. 2nd Ave.) April 2-3.This year's theme is "Poetry Where You Are." Executive Director, Lindsay Miller, says panel talks and slams ("biggest slam ever") are free; the rest nearly so: readings, $10; workshops, $5; or all-weekend pass, $25. This year's poets are Linda Russo, Manuel Paul Lopez, Gypsee Yo, and Sonya Renee. Be brave-submit your work to the contest or register to slam! Details are available at the website.
Local booksellers will also keep you in the literary loop with their frequent events. Antigone Books, 411 N. 4th Ave. (AntigoneBooks.com) has in-store readings and book-group discussions. Bookman's (Bookmans.com) also supports community events and organizations relating to literacy, education and the environment at all three locations (1930 E. Grant Rd., 6230 E. Speedway Blvd., 3733 W. Ina Rd.)
