April 4, 2014
Hello, writers,
I’ve had a sore left forearm
this week. Went to the doctor yesterday and found out I have a classic case of “tennis
elbow,” but I don’t play tennis!
I’m now wearing a black brace
on my forearm, trying to rest my left arm. It’s hard because I’m left-handed. I
usually write in my journal during the early mornings, but I’ve had to take a
break to let my “writer’s elbow” get better.
Meanwhile, plans are shaping up
for the Callahan Branch Library’s first Spoken Word Poetry Festival on April 22.
Details are below.
In other news, here’s a
review of Tuesday’s workshop.
Warm-ups
As a writing warm-up, we
chose from prompts below and wrote for ten minutes:
1. You are the number one suspect in a murder, but you
didn’t do it.
2. Crutches
3. Cursive vs. printing
4. “Charlie was surprised to see an old…”
After a few of us shared our
warm-ups, we introduced ourselves, shared good news and started our critique
session.
Celebrate National Poetry Month at Callahan Branch
Library
April is National Poetry
Month. This year, Branch Librarian, Alison M., is celebrating poetry by
putting on a Spoken Word Poetry Festival at the library.
Open to the community, the
Festival offers participants five minutes in which to read poems by their
favorite poets or original poetry.
If you’d like to sign up,
please call Alison at 904-879-3434.
Photo of the Week
Critique overview from April 1 CCWW
Connie W. began
the session reading another installment of her hemp rope piece. Members
commented on her use of details (i.e. churchyard, fence) and the poem she
included on the potato famine by Lady Jane Wilde (Oscar Wilde’s mother). Lori L. then shared a piece about a
visit to the grocery store and a car fire. Members said her descriptions (such
as “sliced pretend cheese”) worked well. Thomas
E. continued by reading more of his ongoing story. Members said his piece,
written from Mia’s perspective, featured excellent imagery (i.e. butterfly
pajamas, dark circles as moons under eyes, etc.).
Robert O. then
read more of “The Furry Writing Group.” Members said the pacing, imagination
and characterization in his piece worked well. Lisa C. then shared “Masquerade,” a prompt-based (fake it ‘til you
make it) poem. Members said the poem’s narrative nature and surprise ending
worked well. Kaitlyn S. then read a continuation
of an old piece featuring a girl named Pongo. Members said her descriptions
(such as “emotion buried deep in his eyes”) worked well.
Cameron S. then
read a poem about writing. Her use of clever rhymes and questions worked very
well, according to members. I, Nancy B, then
shared “Momfoolery,” a short, prompt-based (April Fool’s Day) scene. Members
said the humor in my piece worked. Richard
N. then read more of his Dodge novel. His church scene worked, members
said, because his characterization and pacing were so well done. Hayden B. then read “The Dancing Sheep,”
a short story about a shy sheep who danced in a garden. Members said her piece
worked well because the sheep overcame her fear.
Excellent work, everyone!
Links of Interest
National Poetry Mont and 30 Ways to Celebrate It
Looking for ways to celebrate
poetry this month? The first link shares information on National Poetry Month.
The second link offers 30 ways to celebrate poetry in April.
.
Link to information on
National Poetry Month here: http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/41
Link to 30 ways to celebrate here:
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/94
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Magazine and web site for poets and writers
“Poets & Writers” Magazine
is full of information, advice, connections, jobs, submission guidelines,
publishing advice and more. Consider spending some time exploring their site
and possibly subscribing to the magazine.
More here: http://www.pw.org/
++++++++++
Magazine for girls is seeking submissions
“Sparkle,” a magazine
designed for girls in first through third grades is seeking submissions. They
currently need stories, articles, quizzes, poems, games, puzzles and crafts.
Submissions should present the Christian life realistically and help young
readers apply God’s Word to their lives.
More about magazine here: http://www.gemsgc.org
Writer’s guidelines here: http://www.gemsgc.org/main/sparkle_guidelines.html
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Prompts for Tuesday, April 8
The first prompt is the ex. The second prompt is pick of the litter. You’re free to write
in any genre you like (fiction, drama, non-fiction, poetry, etc.). If you’d
like to bring a WIP (work-in-progress), please do.
Please keep pieces to 1500
words or less and bring copies if you can.
Have a great week!
~Nancy B.
P.S. CCWW has an active
Facebook page. Please log on and search for Callahan Creative Writing Workshop.
We’d love to see you there.
P.P.S. Here’s our new mascot,
Lyle Love-it. Isn’t he cute? He belongs to CCWW member, Connie W.
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