Mourning Bob Isbell: The High Desert chapter of the California Writers Club remembers a wordsmith

Bob Isbell was a pioneering force behind the High Desert chapter of the California Writers Club. He quickly assumed leadership roles after his induction in 2009 and contributed to the organization's growth.

During his involvement with the club, he created and directed seven "Howl at the Moon" writers conferences, organized a writing workshop with inmates at the High Desert's Federal Prison Complex, and established the Dorothy C. Blakely Memoir Project.

Isbell's legacy lives on through the pages of the Writers Club authors. Mike Apodaca, president of the club's High Desert branch, described Isbell's aspirations for the club during his celebration of life Monday, July 29.

Isbell viewed all members as "professionals in process," Apodaca said, adding that he regarded each member as a famous writer, whether they were an award winner or a near miss.

Apodaca also shared an anecdote about his late friend's glass eye, warming the crowd to saddened smiles with the tale of the legally blind Isbell assuming the role of photographer for The Inkslinger club newsletter. To much of the club's surprise, he recalled to the group, the photos always came out clear as day.

Isbell suffered a heart attack at the end of May and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery, friends said.

California Writers Club - High Desert branch

The California Writers Club is a century-old non-profit with more than 20 branches throughout the Golden State. The High Desert branch was founded in October 1990 and has more than 100 active members.

Members take turns learning and teaching the skills and techniques of writing poetry, screenwriting, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, biographies, memoirs, romance, historical novels, journalism, fiction, and non-fiction.

All genres and writing interests are encouraged by club leadership.

"The (Writing Club's) encouragement, critiques, suggestions, and help were more valuable than gold," member Robert Foster said in a written statement. "I had to move five and a half hours north of Apple Valley. Yet, I continued to attend my critique meetings twice a month. The value I received exceeded the hours of driving. I was able to publish my book this year."

Member Hazel Stearns said she also owes much to the club. She wrote in a testimonial that she's nearly certain that without the writers club, her book would have remained in the procrastination closet.

"I encourage anyone with a desire to write to join a writers' group as soon as possible," she said. "The camaraderie with like-minded people is wonderful. They are supportive, encouraging, and helpful. And a bonus is, they never roll their eyes like other friends do when you say, 'I'm going to write a book.'"

The High Desert chapter meets on the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Church at Jess Ranch in Apple Valley and is always open to accepting new members.

For more information, contact President Mike Apodaca at mrdaca.ma@gmail.com.

McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Mourning Bob Isbell: The High Desert chapter of the California Writers Club remembers a wordsmith