Bottle

Fibonacci numbers

Consulting the map and compass

Worthy of a little discussion!

In a very recent comment here, Angela pondered: "...what's the goal of tHP? What ties us together and makes others want to join us? I have my opinion, but I'm curious how other people view the group."

To answer briefly, tHP was created to support the idea that, first and foremost, creativity is (and should be) FUN. However, the mechanics of the "creative fun theory" is rather more complicated, and becomes increasingly more complex with the arrival and acceptance of each new member into tHP.

As it continues to evolve, the face of tHP becomes something just a little different from each of its previous countenances. Stripping away all the various costumes and masks, what I feel remains is the bare, innate need of its members to create...

As tHP's founder, I, too, am intensely curious about the views of others, so please do try to answer Angela's question. Knowing the needs and wants of tHP's members is 90% of sculpting tHP into an environment that reflects those needs and wants.

-- Jim

The road up ahead...

Since Project#1 (that "one-time only" lark ten years ago that eventually grew into the Herscher Project), and in spite of a membership that waxes and wanes, I have been amazed at the enthusiasm, ingenuity, and creative drive of the group's members. I am fascinated by the quality and range of talent in tHP, and by the refreshing perspectives that our members have shown in their artistic and written works.

However, the questions, now, may be: "Where do we go from here?" or "Is it time for the group to evolve into something more?" or even "Is the Herscher Project an endangered species?"

I sometimes ponder these things, and I find myself wondering if the group, as it currently exists, is still catering to the needs of a younger, less-skilled demographic or if our members are clinging to tHP for the sake of nostalgia alone.

Should we expand our vision, or should we narrow our focus?

Do we need to pull together and commit to creating a marketable anthology, or do we splinter and go our separate ways with our writing and artwork?

Certainly, the talent exists to travel either of those roads... but it isn't only talent that will determine the destiny of the Herscher Project or its members. There exists within our group an intangible, yet easily discerned bond that has grown over these years, and I believe that essence will help guide us in the future. As always, I remain not as a leader, but as the one out in front being pushed in whatever directions that the Herscher Project members desire and demand -- and I'm enjoying the ride!

James K Bowers
Founder of the Herscher Project