Meet the Members: Will Holcomb

“Having a network of writers helps me grow as a writer. We do not “succeed” in a vacuum. We are all part of the success of others. “

— Will Holcomb

A member of the Writers’ League since 2016, Will lives in Smithville, TX.

Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?

Will Holcomb: Most of my current writing is what I would categorize as inspirational fiction. When people ask what I write about, I say “human potential.”

Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?

WH: Robert Pirsig, author of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. My first question would be, “What do you want to talk about?” and then I would just listen and see where the conversation goes. I love unscripted, free flowing conversation with thinkers and dreamers.

Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?

WH: The Dummies Guide on How to Build a Satellite Radio from Coconuts. But if you’d give me a second book, it would be Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. There are so many books I want to read, and I have very little time to read. I’ve read Zen twice and I’m thinking about reading it a third time.

Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?

WH: Connections and collaboration. Having a network of writers helps me grow as a writer. We do not “succeed” in a vacuum. We are all part of the success of others.

Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?

WH: I fell into writing simply because I started writing. When I started writing, the stories that formed in my head first were very strongly directed towards the future of humanity because that’s something I am excited and worried about at the same time. I’m not a planner. I just let what happens happen. I have a couple science fiction stories started, a superhero graphic novel, a rock opera with about 20 songs, another one-act play, and much more. I’m not running low on ideas yet.

Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?

WH: Just one? Although they didn’t come out in the last year, I enjoyed two authors whose books take place in Texas. Catherine Chagra’s memoir, Dirty Darlings (2015), tells about her life growing up as the daughter of the biggest Marijuana dealer in the US in the 1970’s. Tim Bryant’s book, Dutch Curridge (2010), is a 1950’s noir taking place in Hell’s Half Acre (Ft. Worth area). It is a very interesting view into that period of Texas.

Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion! 

 

WH: I’ve completed Part III of my novel series, The Infinite Jeff, and all are available for sale on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Will-Holcomb/e/B074F14K6P). My two-act play, Clinically Un-Depressed, played at the Bastrop Opera House last August for three weekends and was the highest grossing show of their 2017/2018 season. My one-act play, The Puzzler, was performed at Frontera Fest in 2017 and we are working on dates for dinner theater. I’m working to have the fourth, and final, part of The Infinite Jeff done soon, so I can focus on my other writing projects. People can learn more about me at on author site, http://willholcombauthor.com and by following me on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/willholcombauthor/ and https://www.facebook.com/theinfinitejeff/.

 

Will received a Pen & Fork scholarship to the 2018 Writers’ League of Texas Agents Conference given in the name of Eva Marie Gonzales, who embodied joy, championed individual expression, and continues to inspire us all. She lives on in the hearts of the Pen & Fork writing support group members, including (among others): Beth Sample, Rodney Sprott, Gina Springer Shirley, Betty Lew Bewley, Sue Cleveland, Dixie Evatt, Gogi Hale, Rosemary Hook, Sherry Lowry, and Ilene Markowitz Haddad.

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Thank you, Will!

If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!

Meet the Members: Kerry L Stevens

“The WLT is like a chest filled with treasures of classes. I’ve learned much about the craft and business of writing.”

— Kerry L Stevens

A member of the Writers’ League since April 2016, Kerry lives in Leander.

Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?

Kerry L Stevens: My debut book is a memoir about my maverick mother, and our unique relationship. It’s called Forever Herself: A Son’s Memoir of a Remarkable Woman.

Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?

KS: I would relish spending time with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. One of his earlier books, Strength to Love, changed my life. My first remarks would be to offer him my sincerest gratitude for the work he did and the inspiration he’s provided to so many people. Then we’d discuss how we could collaborate to continue to change the world.

Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?

KS: I don’t believe I’d need a book to keep me sane. I enjoy my time alone and exploring the world. I’m certain a deserted island would also hold many secrets waiting to be revealed. I seldom read the same book twice. So repeatedly reading the same book may add to my insanity, rather than detract from it. I’d desire to have a detailed reference book about the flora, fauna, geography, astronomy, and other scientific facts for islands in the region which I could use to survive and improve my life.

Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?

KS: The WLT is like a chest filled with treasures of classes. I’ve learned much about the craft and business of writing. The knowledge gained shaped the memoir I wrote and provided the energy to see it completed, then help prepare me to publish and promote it.

Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?

KS: The next phase is promoting my memoir, Forever Herself, released in October. It was written to honor my mother, a prolific writer who died without achieving her dream of sharing her words in a published book. It’s a fusion of her poetry and prose with my memories of our relationship. My next project may be publishing an entire book of her poetry or one of her Middle Grade novels. If I can find the right illustrator, I’d also love to publish one of her children’s books.

Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?

KS: I’ve only recently read one Texas-related book. It’s called Soul Love: How a Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again. It’s a raw memoir of despair and hope written by a friend, Teresa Q. Bitner.

Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion! 

KS: Shaped by childhood adversity in an impoverished, fatherless home during the Great Depression, my mother grew into a strong woman who embraced life on her terms. But when she dared to be herself in our rural community, she endured ostracism and loneliness, finding solace in her faith. You may learn more about Forever Herself: A Son’s Memoir of a Remarkable Woman at my website www.KerryLStevens.com. Because my mother is a contributing author, her dream is now fulfilled.

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Thank you, Kerry!

If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!

Meet the Members: Lori Duran

“I have learned there is a wealth of information here in Austin about the craft of writing and there is great support available at the Writers’ League of Texas.”

— Lori Duran

A member of the Writers’ League since 2017, Lori lives in Austin.

Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?

Lori Duran: Nonfiction history.

Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?

LD: Isadora Tattlin, and I would ask, “What are your most prominent memories of Cuba during the 1990’s and the time you lived there?”

Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?

LD: I would bring Black Night, White Snow: Russia’s Revolutions 1905-1917 by Harrison Salisbury.

Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?

LD: I have learned there is a wealth of information here in Austin about the craft of writing and there is great support available at the Writers’ League of Texas.

Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?

LD: I would like to continue writing and I am interested in writing about a local politician and his family.

Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?

LD: I could not put down Indelible Austin: More Selected Stories by Michael Barnes.

Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion! 

LD: My book titled “Austin’s Travis Heights Neighborhood” was released on October 8. The book includes 185 photos that highlight the history of the early south side of Austin. I also write history pieces for Society Diaries magazine. I am also serving on the Board of Directors and work as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Austin History Center and the Oral History Committee. History has been a life long passion for me and it is all around us, everywhere.

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Thank you, Lori!

If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on!

Meet the Members

We are proud to introduce our new series ‘Meet the Members’! For our inaugural post, we have Mary Black! Mary joined the Board of Directors as an interim member. She will begin her 3 year term in 2014.

In what genres do you write?

Mary Black: Historical fiction and archaeological mystery

What authors would you like to have coffee or beer with?

MB: Wow, how to choose?  Well, I’d like to chat with Richard Adams, author of Watership Down (1972), a beautiful fantasy novel.  I love the world he created, and I’d like to know how he did it.  It was his first novel, by the way.  I’d also like to talk to Deborah Harkness, history professor at the University of Southern California, and author of A Discovery of Witches (2011) and Shadow of Night (2012).  I can’t wait for the third book in the trilogy!  I would like to know how she managed to write these books and still fulfill her responsibilities at the university. I don’t think I could do it. I would let her order wine for us, as she also writes an award-winning blog, Good Wine.If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to keep you sane?

MB: Hard one.  First, I’d just sit mesmerized by the sea for a long time each day, I’m sure. Then I would watch the stars at night as they move across the sky.  As for a book, I might wish for Tale of Two Cities because it’s the longest book I can think of.What have  you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?

MB: I’ve been to a lot of classes that have been very helpful, and I always pick up something new at Third Thursday events.  I was clueless about marketing and how the publishing business actually works, and I’ve learned a lot about those aspects.

Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?

MB: As soon as I finish the historical novel I’m working on now, I have three archaeological mysteries planned that build off the world in the novel.  I also have a series of romance mysteries planned that I will write with a collaborator.  This will keep me busy!

Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?

MB: Yes.  I hope everyone will visit my companion blog at www.marysblack.wordpress.com to learn more about the world of my novel, and my Facebook page www.facebook.com/maryblackwriter for archaeology news.

Make sure you stay tuned as we bring you another member each week!