Writers' Village University

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STAFF

Harry Hobbs

ICQ#: 60454029

I wouldn't start a biography with the line "I was born." In my thirty years of experience as a school teacher librarian I know that is the favorite opening of most students when they have to do that dreaded biography assignment. Reading most student biographies is like watching home movies. These may be important moments to family members, but to an outsider they mean nothing. 

Any good writer will tell you that you need to give your central character a name straight off. My legal name is Henry but I've always been known as Harry Hobbs. I was given the exact same name as my grandfather. Writing is in my genes. Both my grandfather and father were writers. My grandfather enjoyed far more success with his craft than did my dad. There are still dusty copies of my grandfather's imperialistic impressions of India (written in the mid-to late 1800's ) in a few libraries (including at one time in the Library of Congress). My father was a journalist and a freelance writer and had some success marketing articles to newspapers. 

I began writing at an early age. My first stories were derivative usually stimulated by a good book or good movie. The summer before I was 12, I wrote and edited a weekly newspaper and sold it to 50 homes in our neighbourhood. As the pressures of school work increased I had to abandon the paper after about a year of operation. The paper included news stories, local interviews and some feature articles. This was back in the mid 1950's before modern photocopiers. Each page had to be printed using a jelly hectagraph pad. 

In high school, I was extra-curricular editor of the yearbook and at university wrote occasionally for the student newspaper. My crowning achievement was having a poem published in the Tridentine, the prestigious literary magazine on campus. Any writing accepted for this publication came under the scrutiny of a discriminating editorial board and I felt really honoured to have my work included. 

I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree and continued my education with a degree in Education and one in Library Science. A library school report became the basis of an article that was later published in a professional periodical. My experiences as a school librarian in a small community in North Central Manitoba later became the basis for a second article to be published in another professional journal. 

My real creative writing "awakening" came in 1972 when I had the privilege of studying this craft under Dr Maara Haas. She taught her classes that every writer has a hangup or driving force that motivates them to write. Learning what this is can enable a writer to embark on a journey of self-discovery and awaken potential they didn't know existed. 

I believe if I have been given a gift in the writing field then I should share it with others. My wife and I helped start a Writers' Organization in our community. Writers in this group meet monthly to share and critique each other's manuscripts. Workshops are also an important part of our writers' group. Through the 15 years of the Guild's existence I've given at least one workshop per year on a wide range of topics on themes of editing, writing non-fiction and various topics concerned with fiction writing, as well as poetry and, most recently, historical journal writing.

I worked as a teacher-librarian until I retired in 1999. My interest in literature, writing and communication saw my job evolve into more than just that of a teacher librarian. I was actively involved in the editing of students' essays, reports and short stories. My school had had several courses for adults in the vocational field. I designed and taught a course in oral and written communication. 

This interest has evolved from my experience in the Toastmasters organization. I've been involved in Toastmasters for over30 years, served on club, area and district executives and achieved recognition as an Able Toastmaster - Bronze and a Competent Leader I am currently an area governor. I believe good communication begins with crafting the written word. Speaking is one method of delivering that word. Writing so a reader can savour and appreciate your ideas is an even more effective method of communication. 

My Toastmasters experience has allowed me to explore other communication opportunities. I have written and delivered sermons during the absence of a minister at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. As well I had two poems accepted for publication in the church newsletter. 

I'm just starting to become involved in Web pages and have one called Harry's Helpful Hints for Writers and Speakers. 

I believe that anyone can become a good writer with practice. The main quality of a good writer is willingness to work at the craft and accept criticism as being suggestions for improving the work and not as a personal attack. I really enjoy editing people's work because I feel improving a piece is what makes it come alive. 

My wife, Glennis, took writing courses from Writers' Village University and was so enthused that I became a volunteer. I was very impressed by the set-up of the courses and how the study groups allowed for individuals to interact. I visited a few of the fiction and poetry rooms first, then became a mentor for Fiction 401 and later Fiction 98 and Fiction 99. I am co-facilitating Poetry 100.

Harry's Helpful Hints for Writers and Speakers

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