Write-O-Rama Laureates

Laureates start Write-O-Rama early by fund raising and writing throughout the months before December 5, the next Write-O-Rama. They promise to raise at least $145 in pledges for Hugo House; in return we promise to provide writing support and lots of Hugo love. Every week we post writing prompts from our fabulous creative writing teachers on a special blog, where laureates can share with each other and get feedback on their writing. We invite them to Write-O-Rama pre-parties, shower them with prizes and feature them on our Web site.

To donate on behalf of the laureates, click the “Donate Now” button and write the name of your laureate of choice in the “Dedication” field.

Write-O-Rama Laureates

Brigid Anderson
Years ago, Brigid heard Frances McCue talk on the car radio about Hugo House writing programs for teens. She was inspired and went straight home to tell her own kid about it. Brigid's son eventually came to Hugo House and clicked, and now he's editing his college's literary magazine. Brigid mostly writes for work, but she goes to readings at the House and has taken a class. "You never know...," she says.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Too many people--and not just the school kids, like Frances said, whose teachers have made it into drudgery--think writing is for someone else. I love Hugo House because it helps create more writers (and readers and listeners). Support it so it's there for your kids...or your parents, your friends or even for you!


Nova Clawson
As a child, Nova didn't begin to speak until she could talk in full paragraphs. Ever since then, she's been telling stories, planting poems by word of mouth and engaged in a passionate love affair with language. Her favorite Hugo House series is "Cheap Wine and Poetry," where she enjoys the antics of the hosts and audience egged on by $1 wine almost as much as she enjoys the performances of fellow poets. Her blog is novabird.livejournal.com.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
I believe that Hugo House is a valuable community resource for all of us--even those who do not consider themselves writers. We all consume language in some form--shouldn't it be artful, nourishing language? Not only does Hugo House offer classes, a research library and a zine archive, but it's a fantastic venue for literary performance as well. We buy local food--shouldn't we also contribute to that food for the soul, local arts?


Josie Davis
Josie Davis is a Seattle-based literary artist, vocalist and teacher. Currently a mentor for Hugo Classes for Kids, Josie is honored to work alongside such bright, creative and engaging young writers. After completing two international residencies in music and literary arts, her most current writing includes short stories, performance prose, lyrics and poetry.  For information on current projects, music and words: josiedavisproject.weebly.com

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
The easiest time of day to write, for me, comes between bites of food.  Sporadically, here and there, tossed between Tupperware and peanut butter and the occasional macchiato. This is what makes Write-O-Rama so special.  Sporadic literary goods fired together for the benefit of always knowing there will be one more space between bites. Donations to Write-O-Rama help support ongoing classes, community events, readership and literary production at Hugo House.


Waverly Fitzgerald
Waverly had been teaching and taking writing classes all over town for years but felt she really found her home when a friend recommended Hugo House. Waverly has been writing novels since she was 13 and has written eight, three during National Novel Writing. Four have been published. She has also published a book on slow time and writes essays and memoir and family history and newsletters for her Web site, schooloftheseasons.com, and entries for her blog: livinginseason.blogspot.com.

Why should you pledge to Write-o-Rama?
Earlier this year I was listening to a pledge drive on KBCS and ended up pledging $240 so Hank Bradley would write a song for my dog, Chester. Then I figured I should give the same amount of money to three other organizations who represent my values. It was easy to pick: Hedgebrook for weeks of blissful writing, KBCS for the great variety of music, Nick Licata who represents my views on the City Council and Hugo House for hours of entertainment and support, inspiration and fun.


Cindy Gilbert
"I have a confession," says Cindy Gilbert. "I'm not a writer. I'm a mom and a social worker and a bunch of other stuff. But a writer? That's a mighty big claim." Cindy likes to fool around with words and has written numerous haikus and as many unfinished short stories. Cindy LOVES Hugo House for the classes, the support and the welcome. She says, "Maybe someday I will be a writer--thanks to Hugo House!"




Mickey Horwitz
Mickey Horwitz spent more than twenty years as a performing musician. After realizing how hard it is to make a living as a jazz guitarist, she decided to pursue a different track, one with even worse prospects for rubbing two nickels together: That of being a writer. Hurrah! But music still informs Mickey's sensibilities and she finds writing requires similar skills, like the use of rhythm and the beautifully appointed lyrical phrase. She focuses on creating stories about regular people who make big trouble for themselves. She grew up in California, moved to Seattle in the 1980s and spent one silly season in Boston before returning to the west coast. She's known about Hugo House forever and has particularly enjoyed classes with Angela Jane Fountas and Vikram Chandra. Occasionally, she makes a little dough on the side writing jazz articles and CD reviews.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Because Hugo House is a true community resource, smack dab in the hub of the city. It gives writers a place to learn, work, commiserate and get encouragement about the future. There are endless possibilities for interacting with fellow writers and staff members. Hugo House needs care and feeding just like any other arts nonprofit, and it's hard to think of one in Seattle that's more deserving.


Sarah Mackay
Sarah can't help herself; she can't get it off her mind and it's been with her since she was fifteen years-old. If she had known the natural high that comes with writing a short story Sarah would have started years ago. Fortunately she found Hugo House and its cozy classrooms not too long ago where she has taken Boot Camp for Writers from Cheryl Slean, a workshop with Aimee Bender, Rick Moody, Angela Fountas, so many to recall. Sarah has found mentors, leaders and inspirational words at Hugo House where, above all, she now has the courage and skills to keep writing.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
To help the writers in our community with the burning desire to write. To encourage the fifteen year-old writers in our community to write but don't know how and who would will be exhilarated and grow with the experience. Hugo House is a gem on 11th Avenue; it's a place where you can bring to life people, places, landscapes you can only imagine.

Tanya McDonald
"For as long as I've known how put words on paper, I've loved writing," Tanya says. Whether composing a far-fetched story about her pet chickens in grade school, scribbling note novels with her best friend in high school or dashing out tales about late night treks to 7-11 in college, writing always been Tanya's preferred mode of expression. Currently, she is in the process of writing and revising an urban fantasy novel about a young man's adventures with the Seattle-area faery courts. On the other end of the spectrum, Tanya also writes haiku and is an active member of Haiku NW.

You can read Tanya's blog at tanyamcdonald.livejournal.com.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
What I love about Hugo House is that it recharges my creative energies and gives me hope. Not just hope that my character will find his way out of the sticky situation I've written him into (sorry, Lucian), but hope for other writers, that they'll find inspiration and encouragement there, too. Maybe that woman who wants to write her memoir will take a class and be inspired to begin? Maybe that young man bursting with poems will come to a reading and learn there are others like him? There's magic to be shared at Hugo House, and I hope you'll help support it. Thank you.

Snotty McSnotterson
Snotty McSnotterson is the result of a tumultuous threesome between Eartha Kitt, George Carlin and Grimace from the McDonald's Playland characters. This makes her 1) sassy, 2) married to the F-word and 3) very confused. She runs a community blog for the Ravenna neighborhood and enjoys writing punch lines for her own amusement. Snotty is an amazing liar, yet terrible at fiction, so it's a good thing she sticks to humorous essays and nonfiction writing. Read her blog at www.sn0tty.com.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
This is the Sally Struthers portion of the program, and the kids in Africa need our help! Only we're the Africans, and you're the... what? Hold on. See, had I taken more classes at Hugo House, I would be much better at writing metaphors. The world needs better writers--as evidenced here--and we won't get better just by wishing it so. Donate money or innocent African children will die; it's your choice.

Arthur Ortiz
As a lawyer for ten years, Arthur devoted his writing to client advocacy. Opposing counsel called Arthur's work "baseless," "misplaced" and "utterly without merit." Clients called Arthur's work "excellent," "exactly" and "a lot less expensive than their mother-in-law's DUI lawyer." Now Arthur brings people together who are struggling with conflict to help them create their own resolutions. He joined Richard Hugo House to scratch the phantom writing itch left behind when he closed his law practice. 

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Disraeli said that he was depressed by the law but exalted by literature. That's the experience I'm having at Hugo. The freedom of mind and soul are palpable and apparent in every room regardless of the event. The talent is obvious and refreshing. Whether listening to a reading, taking a writing course or just having a conversation with someone who shares the same passion, my experience at Hugo has left me feeling... exalted.

Meredith Sedlachek
A poet and freelance writer, Meredith earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. In her spare time, she mentors young writers and enjoys events and classes of all types at Hugo House.

Read Meredith's first poetry collection (published in June 2005) here.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Hugo House is a rare place that embraces writers of every genre, age and level of experience, fosters growth and encourages a sense of community and support. I was lucky to be surrounded with incredible teachers and creative spirits as I came into my own as a young writer. Hugo House gives unsupported writers that leg up! Pledge now!


Philip Swanstrom Shaw
Philip Swanstrom Shaw is the Creative Director for Golden Lasso (which means he gets paid to write words that influence), and he has started an independent publishing company, editions p.s., (which means he is paying to influence others to read emerging writers whose work he thinks is important), and he comes to Hugo House to inform his own writing which has nothing to do with any of the above.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
You should come to Write-O-Rama because it is the best deal in the world! Where else can you come to be: inspired, find a voice, and listen to your voice in a new way, all while supporting the opportunity for others to be able to grow in the same way? And if you can't attend then pledge your guts out! It'll make you sleep like a baby!
 

Diane Steinmeyer
Diane is the happy progeny of two hippy-artist-nomads. She grew up creating kitchen messes, drawing on walls and playing in mud. These endeavors earned her endless praise and affection. At age five, she was producing such classic books as "The Giant Pear" and "Mr. Fox Enjoys a Vegan Lunch." Her grown-up creations have appeared in various publications and galleries, and she is currently concocting an adult-friendly book of illustrated poems.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Richard Hugo House, simply by existing in the way that it does, allows people of all ages to expose the beautiful cracks in themselves, the beautiful truths and illusions that make life interesting and vibrant. The House fills an intrinsic need for creative expression and creative voyeurism that we all (secretly or not) crave. Expose beauty in yourself and others. Fulfill your craving and mine. Make a pledge.

Elizabeth Stephan
As a lawyer, I spend most of my day with the Internal Revenue Code and the Revised Code of Washington.  As a writer, I create new worlds for speculative fiction stories.  (Only occasionally do I find myself confounded at the border between the two.)  I was introduced to Hugo House classes by a friend two years ago and I have taken as many classes as I can ever since.

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Most writers I've met have a full-time job and full-time life.  Hugo House classes allow us to focus on the craft of writing in a community of support.  But it's not just for writers.  My first trip to Hugo House was to see a play with a bunch of friends.  We laughed our way through the night.  Let's keep this gem alive and well in our community so we can all continue to benefit.


Jessica Stone
In her day job (teaching at the U) Jessica is stable, solid, steady, reliable, reasonable and respected.  However, in real life, Jes is a writer.  Among her publications are two volumes of short stories for children, two embarrassingly bizarre books on metaphysics, a commissioned biography and one paperback co-authored with a Border collie.  She meanders the planet searching for her genre.  www.doggyondeck.com

Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
The first moment I entered Hugo House I knew I was home.  How can you not love a place where T.S. Elliot reads Hip-hop, Surrealists slink the hallways and wine costs only a buck?  To support Hugo House is to support art, culture and the growth of civilization.  Supporting Hugo House also helps keep playwrights, poets and other related riff raff off the streets.


Edward Wolcher
Edward grew up and went to school here in Seattle and feels tremendous gratitude for what, he must admit, has been a really utopian life so far. He struggles to understand this in his writing, including zines, blogs and comic books, as well develop a style of humor that generates an infinite feedback loop of irony, thus creating a small black hole (a literary analog of the Large Hadron Collider). He enjoys cultural criticism, long walks on the beach and speculative fiction. In his spare time, you may see him playing music or making "performance art" which he does unapologetically.  

Read Edward's blog: edwardwolcher.wordpress.com
 
Why should you pledge to Write-O-Rama?
Reading and writing, we believe, maintains the continuity of our culture. If a technology will replace these activities, we do not yet know it, nor--risking sentimentality--do we anticipate its welcome. Hugo House serves a rare and wonderful role: a public center of these fundamental arts. Open to all and especially the young, it is simultaneously modest and profound, revolutionary and deeply democratic. Though much may now be uncertain, a meager investment in this institution flourishes as the health of our civilization.