CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Bernie Toy selects a classic to read for the Tumbleweed Tales Society meeting. CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Andy Alberti holds forth at a recent Oasis Writers Guild meeting. Advertisement

For those pursuing literary talent and who like some company, Pahrump abounds with talent and enough enthusiasm to support not one but two lively literary groups, both of which are vying for public attention and new members.

Tumbleweed Tales Society and the Oasis Writers Guild have much to offer writers of any professional level, whether published, would-be, or those who just enjoy jotting down their thoughts from time to time.

Members from both groups support and encourage fellow writers to stimulate creativity and sharing.

The Tumbleweed Tales Society is a more theatric group.

Since 2003 it has been sponsored by the Pahrump Community Library, thanks to the persistence of Vivian Owen. There is no membership fee. Members meet the first Saturday of the month at the library from 10 a.m. to noon to read either original or selected works round-robin style.

They meet several other times during the month as well to enjoy events at Lois Layne's or "open mike with Cornbread Amos" at Terrible Herbst's RV Resort Park.

A full schedule of events is one of their trademarks. The 25 to 30 members keep busy organizing and attending open mike nights, Shakespeare classes, book signings, lectures and participating in concerts, in addition to regular poetry meetings.

All writers are invited: poets, songwriters, playwrights, visual artists and actors.

"Our goal is to share, enjoy, and encourage literary and artistic voices in the valley -- and so we perform for groups, community events. We invite the public to join us and share their talents, and we support efforts to bring culture, ideas and art to our community," said Judy Brooks-Strickland, mediator of the group.

Some come to the group for very different reasons.

Joanne Swartz has struggled all her life with extreme shyness that makes public speaking a challenging goal. On March 15 at Terrible Herbst's RV Resort she spoke into the microphone for the first time while friends and fellow poets cheered her on.

George Strickland can showcase his "Cowboy Poetry" and help others to showcase theirs by having a well-developed venue for poetry and literary creativity in Pahrump

Many people come simply to enjoy a few hours of fine reading and listening. Erline Heard summed up a common sentiment when she said, "I enjoy our poet's group because it allows me to share and to enjoy other poets."

The Oasis Writer's Guild, on the other hand, is more focused on the creative process and feedback.

Members share their knowledge of the publishing process and suggestions for improving works. "Just coming here with my script, I started making improvements", said member Peter Cherba to a general nodding and murmur of agreement around the meeting room.

The Guild was founded in 1993 but has a rocky history. In 2005 it began gaining momentum again after its near disappearance.

The Guild holds bi-weekly meetings, but one is a business meeting and the other is "the fun meeting," where members read their stories.

At business meetings only officers are obligated to attend, but all are invited. At the April meeting, topics such as membership fees and the details for an upcoming youth writing contest were discussed and votes taken.

The second meeting of the month revolves around a "coffee can" challenge where a writing prompt is picked blindly from an old coffee can and all of the members must compete at the next meeting for a prize of $5 for the best 500-word essay.

Member and officer Candace Lieber wanted to keep her check from her coffee can prize instead of cashing it. "It's a challenge to write against some of the titles," said Andy Alberti.

May's title is "My diet and Me."

Members of the Guild like the creative motivation the group gives them to write more.

Steven W. Johnson said he "wasn't as active a writer before I came. The coffee can stories allow me to express my sarcastic humor without getting ridiculed. I like the interplay of individuals as they are working through their works."

Allison Hawkins, Guild president, joined the group in November 2006. She knows exactly why.

"The people," she said. "I felt they were friendly and inviting and would treat my writing with kindness and that they would give insightful feedback."

Both groups are about developing individual talent, and relationships among members are naturally simultaneous.

Billie Polkosnik of the Tumbleweed Tales Society described the interpersonal force: "We have a strong supportive bond in the group: We listen with our hearts to each other because we honor the truths we dare to share."