Welcome to the official blog of ‘A Team Darkly’. We’re one of eight teams of writers taking part in this year’s Clarion Write-A-Thon.
The Clarion Writers’ Workshop, in case you were wondering, is a 100% bona fide SF institution. Currently housed at the University Of California, San Diego (not to mention its sister Clarions in Seattle and Australia), Clarion has been helping aspiring writers of science fiction and fantasy since 1968 . Over six weeks, students receive instruction and inspiration from professional authors, and at least nine metric tonnes of constructive criticism from their peers during daily workshop sessions. They go in soft as dough and come out as steel-hard qwerty-pounders with laser eyes and printer ink for blood. How do I know this? Because I went there back in 2011 and I’ve never been the same since. But, you know, in the good way.
But none of it comes cheap. That’s where the Write-a-Thon comes in. ‘A writey-wha?’ you ask? Well, the website explains:
It’s just like a walk-a-thon. But instead of walking, we’re writing, and instead of making pledges per mile, we’re making pledges per word, chapter, or story. Writers get support, encouragement and motivation, and the option of joining a team with a writing mentor! Those who care about the writers in their life get a way to show their support.
It’s my immense honor to have been asked to lead one of these teams, which I’ve called ‘A Team Darkly’ in a nod to the classic novel (I pray the Dick estate won’t mind…).
What could top such an honor? Why, I’ll tell you; getting the chance to help/ encourage/ convivially hound several of the writers who’ve stepped up and took part in this year’s ‘thon. I hope I can do right by them.
Who are they? You’ll have to tune in tomorrow to find out. But I’ll tell you this much- A Team Darkly is a most formidable beast.
-James Worrad
A Team Darkly 