Srsly. Clarion West is a non-profit organization that thrives on volunteer hours and donations to provide not only an outstanding six week long writer's workshop but, through scholarships and outreach, makes the workshop available to people who might not otherwise be able to afford it. 

For the next six weeks (June 21 through July 31), the members of the Write-A-Thon (all CW alum) will be shadowing this year's class as they progress through the Workshop here in Seattle. 


 The purpose of the Write-A-Thon is twofold:

1. to motivate the participating writers (including yours truly) to make and meet some ambitious writing goals by reminding us of what amazing things we are capable of. After all, we survived Clarion West, didn't we? Joking aside, there has never been a single point in my writing life where I have been more inspired, encouraged and productive than those six weeks in Seattle. Which brings me to #2


2. As participating writers, we are asking our friends and families (that means you guys) to sponsor our progress. Don't worry moms, it's not ‘cause we're starving. The money we raise through donations and sponsorships goes back into Clarion West to keep the workshop running. Your donations are tax deductable and will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Okay, we'll hold off on the fuzzy bit, I know some of you are allergic. 


As past CW attendees we all recognize the important place Clarion West had in our lives and careers. Without it, our writing lives would be much different.  We participate in the write-a-thon so that others will have the opportunity to benefit from the Clarion West experience for years to come. 

So how do you play along? 

Well you can start at the Write-A-Thon main page to find out more about the organization and participants. 

Or if you'd like to sponsor my effort to meet my writing goals and raise $100 for Clarion West (a modest amount I hope to surpass with your help) you can go directly to my Write-A-Thon page. It's shiny and has my name all over it.  It also has a sample of my writing from my week one Clarion West story "Strange" and a big PayPal button for you to make a contribution. 

My goals this year include
1. To finish my YA novel by completing 2 chapters a week. All going according to the outline that brings me to a finished first draft. Sweet!
2. Find a better title than "Horses in Space," cause that's good for a laugh, and very little else at this point. And the horses aren't really in space. Well, not for long, anyway.
3. To complete an overhaul of "Strange," cause it needs some love.

I'll be posting here with a weekly update on my progress.

The Bottom Line: In a way, this is like PBS, cause you can follow along without giving a dime (cheers are always appreciated in the comments section). But like PBS, you will be periodically reminded over the next six weeks that Clarion West can't do what it does without people like you. 

Lovely, wonderful, generous, kind people.
Like. 
You.

Donate here: http://clarionwest.org/events/writeathon/RashidaSmith and I'll get out of your hair. 

Signing off,
Eds

PS. Don’t take my word for it. Lots of other really cool writers are doing it too: http://clarionwest.org/events/writeathon/2009