The names "The Ink Quill" and "The Ink Quill Society" came from the students in BCC's new creative writing class in Fall 2011. Of course, these words bring an image of writing. But I've been thinking about the names of our publication and our new club, and I see that "Ink Quill" also captures two major aspects of the writing life.
First, writers need the ink. The ink fills the pen and makes it write. Metaphorically, the ink could be inspiration. Inspiration isn't just a sudden bolt of brilliance that comes from nothing. By inspiration, I mean everything we experience, read, learn, and observe. It comes from art, books, and travel. It comes from meeting and talking with new people. It also comes from encouragement that other writers (including and maybe especially those we will never know personally) and family members and friends who support our writing.
Next and most importantly, writers need the pen or the quill. Without the quill, the ink simply sits and looks pretty in a bottle. The quill gives the ink shape and life. The quill part is more difficult. It requires action. A writer has to write, and anyone who writes is a writer. Loyalty to the quill may involve writing exercises, keeping a journal, writing a blog, writing poems, writing stories, writing essays, writing letters...writing anything.
The Ink Quill and the society encourage and support both these aspects of the creative life. We hope that our magazine both supports writers and artists who are dedicated to the quill and provides new ink for writers and artists through the amazing work in its pages. I think The Ink Quill is the perfect name.
Mrs. James
Faculty Editor
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