 Writing Women Go Wild—By Serena Bartlett Published: May, 2007  Carla King, one of the original five founding members of Wild Writing Women, has travelled across three continents on her motorcycle. Carla dedicated many childhood years to learning how to fix machines. Cathleen was raised with Southern values below the Mason Dixon line. Pamela's nose was always in a book about some exotic land. Jacqueline dreamed of the Paris she saw in films. Lisa studied 17th and 18th century explorers and mythical animals and plants. Today their diverse paths cross in San Francisco as a groundbreaking literary group: The Wild Writing Women. It all began at a travel writing class at the Ritz Hotel in the early 90s. Cathy Miller found herself surrounded by experienced writers and she wanted to be one of them. She offered to cook full course dinners, complete with champagne and patÈ, so these professional writers piled into her home to form what would become the Wild Writing Women. What these talented ladies have done is formed a supportive and creative environment not only for one another, but for the Bay Area's writing community at large. For instance, when Miller was traveling alone in Africa, her fellow Wild Writing Women were just a phone call away — and came in handy with helpful tips and encouragement. On the first Wednesday of every month, presenters from every corner of the business, from agents to editors, authors to publishing experts, arrive at the welcoming lobby of the Monticello Inn to share a glass of wine and their pearls of wisdom. This free monthly salon is open to anyone, beginning writers or professionals, men and women. Each of the five Wild Writing Women take turns hosting the salon, inviting a different guest each month. "We are completely committed to creating and supporting a writers community in the Bay Area," says Lisa Alpine, who took her first journey to Paris at 18 when she was encouraged by a family friend who said, "Write Blondie, write!" "Our event is free and our speakers are fantastic, plus we provide schmooze time before the speaker goes on which allows writers to connect," she says. In 2000, the largest incarnation of the group, at 12 members, put together an anthology of their travel tales, each in their own unique voice. Pamela Michael's son had been to Europe three times before she finally went. In the last decade she's been to more than 30 countries, traveling solo to places like Beirut and Peru. "The truth is, most people are to be trusted, especially if you treat them with respect and are genuinely interested in their cultures," she says of her experience. They collaborated talents — Alpine was a model for the cover art, Carla King worked on the technical side of things — until their self-published book, Stories of World Travel was complete. | ||
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