Why I Remain an Active Member of Writer’s Block Party by Rachel Robinson
Since graduating from college eleven years ago, I have been involved in four different writer’s groups: including spearheading one in Punxsutawney, PA. In all that time, Writers Block Party (WBP) has stood apart from the others in several major aspects of my profession as a writer. WBP is based here in the heart of Brookville, PA, and has maintained an energetic momentum, mounting in monumental success within just the five/six years of its forming. This group has offered me the greatest opportunities to share my work and to progress as a writer.
When I joined WBP it was a new group with only a few members, despite being in its infancy, WBP was both welcoming and encouraging to me from the very start. I was accepted in all my wild and off the wall pieces and my derisive writing styles. WBP members are inclusive and supportive to each of its writers and artist. WBP quickly built on the enthusiasm of its members and the support of its community to form its headquarters at Watershed Books, (a nonprofit used bookstore and literary arts center). While the bookstore is the host site for WBP and PA Wilds Book Club and a variety of other events, it is a place where people can come share a passion and appreciation for beauty, be it written words or artistic expression. Or people can come just to find a quiet place to hang out, have lunch and enjoys books and art.
In the five/six years being a member of WBP, several of my works have been shared, whether read at events hosted by WBP or published in the group magazine (The Watershed Journal), with the help of its members. With the encouragement, support, and assistance of these people I was finally able to publish a book myself, after struggling half my lifetime to find motivation and resources. Now I can call myself an author and count myself among these great and successful people.
One of WBP and The Watershed Journal’s missions is to encourage, empower, and assist writers and artists to share their works. For me that meant achieving my ultimately goal, get published. In October of 2022, that it finally happened for me. My book, Faceless Expressions, book of short stories and collected poems of horror and dark humor was published.
WBP has been my greatest motivation and muse these past years. I have learned so much from this diverse group of writers, artists, scholars, and teachers. I consider many of its members valuable mentors for me. This group is has helped me improve my skills in the craft of writing as well as providing me with a platform to share my work. Out of all the clubs I have been involved in, I have stayed an active member of WBP the longest.
This is a writer’s group that has built its successful foundation with the supporting hands of its members and this ever-growing community, and those of this regional part of Pennsylvania who are entwined with WBP and The Watershed Journal, who continue to support us local authors and artists. Their success has been my success.
