Write A House bringing Renaissance to Detroit
I heard about the Write A House initiative about the same time that I heard about Amtrak offering train rides across America to writers. Both seemed like amazing opportunities, but I wasn’t sure that Detroit was a place I wanted to live for the time allotment required. Also, my friends will tell you that I am not the handiest person alive, so the prospect of having to fix up a home was a little daunting. I applied for the Amtrak perk and was turned down.
Here’s the thing – the Write A House program is amazing and it should be something that every writer has the opportunity to take advantage of. This non-profit in Detroit is in the process of creating a Renaissance type revival. Gathering creative people together and helping them get above the poverty line can only lead to some of the greatest writing to come out of one place since Walden Pond or Castle Rock.
This year, they’ve gone one better and the non-profit found a local Detroiter to give the house to! Retaining and accentuating the talent of someone who already knows what Detroit is like will help ensure that the author is able to stay there for the long term. It also shows a greater investment in the community of Detroit, which is a big part of the Write A House program.
Now, they are searching for funding to upgrade the electrical work for the house that they want to give to the poet they have chosen. It is something that we should all support. Human beings are all about storytelling, and we need to encourage our storytellers in new and amazing ways.
I am a big believer in putting my money where my mouth is, but I find myself in a tough financial position at the present – tougher than usual. I hope someday that I will be able to give more than I have, but until that time comes, I will look forward to providing a little visibility, and maybe, someone will find that this project is worthy to donate to.
When the next Write A House project becomes available, I will be applying. While it will be amazing to be chosen to get a place to live stateside, I will hope even more that they are able to find a local writer who can use the home as much or more than I can. (Maybe by that time, I will be in a better position to give more.)
Thank you to the folks at Write A House for supporting people who will advance our culture forward. I can’t wait for it to snowball.
Here’s the thing – the Write A House program is amazing and it should be something that every writer has the opportunity to take advantage of. This non-profit in Detroit is in the process of creating a Renaissance type revival. Gathering creative people together and helping them get above the poverty line can only lead to some of the greatest writing to come out of one place since Walden Pond or Castle Rock.
This year, they’ve gone one better and the non-profit found a local Detroiter to give the house to! Retaining and accentuating the talent of someone who already knows what Detroit is like will help ensure that the author is able to stay there for the long term. It also shows a greater investment in the community of Detroit, which is a big part of the Write A House program.
Now, they are searching for funding to upgrade the electrical work for the house that they want to give to the poet they have chosen. It is something that we should all support. Human beings are all about storytelling, and we need to encourage our storytellers in new and amazing ways.
I am a big believer in putting my money where my mouth is, but I find myself in a tough financial position at the present – tougher than usual. I hope someday that I will be able to give more than I have, but until that time comes, I will look forward to providing a little visibility, and maybe, someone will find that this project is worthy to donate to.
When the next Write A House project becomes available, I will be applying. While it will be amazing to be chosen to get a place to live stateside, I will hope even more that they are able to find a local writer who can use the home as much or more than I can. (Maybe by that time, I will be in a better position to give more.)
Thank you to the folks at Write A House for supporting people who will advance our culture forward. I can’t wait for it to snowball.