by Harold Fox

Do you dream of writing the Great American Novel? Or is it a screenplay, short stories, or magically crystalline verse that tickles your fancy? Do you ache to cast off the strictures of your job in Tech Comm and unleash the savage beast of creativity within you?

Did you know that Robert M. Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, once labored as a technical writer? Did you know that Sharon Short, author of four mystery novels and a humor columnist for the Dayton Daily News, was formerly a tech writer for Lexis-Nexis? Maybe you dream of following their example. Maybe there is an intermediate step that doesn't require you to cast off the safety net of a regular paycheck.

If you think that looks familiar, it may be because you have read it before. That was the beginning of an article in Between the Lines that introduced the launch of a Special Interest Group (SIG) for creative writing. For two years the Creative Writing SIG operated to the great enjoyment and stimulation of those of us who were able to attend and participate. Last year the SIG ran aground on the shoals of scheduling, despite the poll results that showed there was interest in continuing.

There is interest in making another try, so consider this the announcement of that attempt. This SIG is meant to provide mutual support and stimulation to those members sharing an interest in writing that is different from what they do in their jobs. Different genres are welcomed-for example previous participants shared readings from poetry, essays, short stories, periodical articles, and novels.

I now call for all of you who are interested in the Creative Writing SIG to express that interest to me by e-mail (hfox@juno.com) or by telephone (937-275-1622). In that message, please specify (1) any strong preference you may have for a meeting time and date, (2) any dates that you now know are impossible for you, and (3) suggested meeting places. I will distill the best meeting time, date, and place I can from all that information and announce the organizing meeting.

Note that the Creative Writing SIG is a Chapter SIG, not one of the Society SIGs. Therefore, there is no reason to sign up for it in your Society membership, and it requires no payment of money.