January 24, 2013
Hello, writers,
Fifteen writers shared laughs and words on Tuesday evening
at the Callahan library.
Three visitors attended.
Please welcome Lisa, Mer and Chad to the group!
Here’s what happened…
We started the workshop with a warm-up exercise. I’ll list them here in case you want to do
them this week:
Choose
one of the following and write for 10 minutes:
1.
Describe
your favorite book. Why is it your
favorite?
2.
Describe your life as a landscape.
Is it a beach scene? A
desert? Mountains?
3.
Write a scene with dialogue in which two characters argue over
food.
4.
Complete a free-write on anything
After a few members read their warm-ups, we introduced
ourselves, shared information and began the critiques.
Good News…
Shirley A. shared
the Callahan Community Center’s new calendar.
The Center is located in the MCCI building across the street from Callahan
Elementary. More here: http://www.mccigroup.com/calendar.php
Cheryl L. shared
that local best-selling author, Charles Martin, is seeking book groups/clubs to
read and discuss his latest novel, Unwritten. If you’re part of a book group, please
consider looking into this wonderful opportunity. More information is on Martin’s web site
here: http://charlesmartinbooks.com/bookclub/
Overview of critiques...
Shirley began with
a witty piece full of questions. Turns
out, she wrote it without using the letter –e.
Not so easy to do! Cameron then shared a story set in
Africa. A cub receives a mark and must
grapple with becoming a leader. Oliver then read a short piece paying
homage to trees. Members commented on his vivid imagery.
Lori continued by
reading a piece featuring a single mom and a young woman who wants to start her
own business. Her story had a good
balance of dialogue and narration, and it showed the passage of time well. Robert then
shared a story of elves and the Round Table in Stonehenge. His wolf-taur character worked. Sandra then
read from a fictional travel journal.
Her piece garnered laughs as we found out Rafael’s true colors. Mom was right!
Connie K. then
read “Emily’s Secrets.” Based on
Connie’s childhood, the story created suspense about the locked north
bedroom. I (Nancy) laughed every time I tried to read my poem called, “Pillars,”
but thankfully, Karen read it for
me. Thanks, Karen! It was a poem written from the perspective of
a rock at Stonehenge.
Betty then read a
press release for her book “Be Lifted Up.”
Members gave her feedback on it. Connie W. shared a piece featuring Mab
from her persimmon story. Members
offered feedback to her after she read it.
Karen then read an imaginative
piece full of facts about Stonehenge. Michele ended the session with a
continuation of her romance between Catherine and Wyatt. Her syntax and imagery really worked.
Links of interest…
1.
Lori L. passed
this along. The Amelia Island Book
Festival is coming up soon. More
information here…
2. Several of you are interested in writing or
publishing children’s books. Knowonder.com
publishes LOTS of children’s stories.
They are currently open for submissions.
Click on the “Submit” tab to find out more…
3. There are currently many publishing
opportunities with Harlequin. Check them
out here:
Prompt for next week…
Prompt for next week is…at
the hardware store. You’re free to
write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction or drama). If you’d rather bring a WIP
(work-in-progress), please do.
Please bring something to share with the group.
Until Tuesday, January 29, happy writing!
~Nancy
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