Why did I join the Clarion Writeathon? It’s a valid question, I think. I have never applied for Clarion. I don’t have any plans to apply for Clarion. Still, I drool over the prospect of staying in a dorm with a collection of amazing genre writers. The thought of Neil Gaiman just stopping by the house, or George R. R. Martin leading a writing exercise, or Ursula K. LeGuin critiquing my story is surreal. I need a giant towel for all the salivating. This is too good a thing to actually exist in the world. I can’t wrap my head around it. Except that I can, because it is happening right now in San Diego.
Clarion is wonderful not just because their teachers are my idols (although that is certainly part of it). There are so little resources out there for those of us who do write genre that it is a small miracle to find people who teach it. The fact that Clarion teaches it with aplomb is greater than miraculous. It is unique, and magical. Much like the writing of the participants.
I haven’t applied because of work constraints. I like my paycheck. Six weeks without one just isn’t possible, even if they did cover tuition for me. I am one of the few for whom Clarion just isn’t possible. But there are hundreds of people each year who apply, and tens of people whom get this magical gift of six weeks in Writer-land.
Clarion is a gift, and I want to be the giver of that gift.
So, I am posting a short story per week – six stories in six weeks all together – on the Clarion website. Like my stuff? Go check it out here: http://clarionwriteathon.org/members/profile.php . It’s all new, and very magical (also, hastily edited). If you like it, consider donating to help someone’s dream come true next year. All the money raised goes to scholarships for the class of 2015. As Neil Gaman’s wife, Amanda Palmer, says, “Donating is Loving.”
The gift of writing is the best one ever, especially if you are giving it to someone else. I promise.
Casey E. Hamilton 