More than anyone, Don James was the driving force of the group that eventually became Oregon Writers Colony.  Don taught writing at Portland State University, and was the Dean of Writing for Haystack Institute at Cannon Beach for several years.  When his students found out that Don had not been invited back to Haystack, they started the Don James Invitational Workshops.  From those grew the organization of Oregon Writers Colony.  Don James was a spiritual writing guru to his students.  He always had time for them and their projects, and he was unfailingly positive with his comments and criticism.  Don James was truly a writer's friend.