A few years ago,
TCU Press sponsored a collaborative novel called Noah’s Ride. (I was part of the planning team, and to my great joy,
I have the original artwork for the cover hanging in my office.) Each of
several authors—I can’t remember how many right now—contributed a chapter, with
the late beloved western novelist Elmer Kelton leading off. I was left to
follow Elmer with the second chapter—the second time I followed his lead in a
collaborative novel and, believe me, it was intimidating. Of the remaining
authors several were journalists, one a new writer, several seasoned novelists.
In the blog I
read, the blogger, Jean Henry Mead, interviewed Mike Kearby, retired
high-school reading and English teacher and the author of seventeen novels. He
talked to Elmer Kelton and James Ward Lee about the project and decided a
collaborative work would be a great way to involve kids who dreamed of becoming
writers.
Mike came up
with two goals: students would understand that schools could be collaborative
and not always competitive, and small-town students would understand that they
could write as well as their peers from larger schools. The program was a
success.
In 2010 Western Writers
of America took over the project, calling it the WWA Youth Writing Project,
with Mike Kearby as the coordinator. They produced a work titled simply, Anthology. Although Mike retired as
coordinator, the project continues under the auspices of WWA. I can’t help but
wonder how many students have participated and been inspired to new confidence.
If a handful go on to become writers, it’s a remarkable success.
Like the ripples
from a small stone thrown in a stock tank. Thanks to Mike Kearby for his innovative
idea, and to Jim Lee, Jeff Guinn and others for spearheading the original book.
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