Sunday, August 31, 2014
Fourteen writers converged on the Callahan Branch Library
Tuesday evening, August 26, for the first of eight creative writing workshops.
Fresh writing in hand, the writers laughed, shared news, wrote and offered
critique to each other.
Warm-ups
The warm-up prompts are listed here, in case you’d like to write
to them at home:
1. Wedding bells
2. A taste of
your own medicine
3. Tape vs. glue
4. A free-write
on anything
After Oliver M., Lori L. and Connie W. shared their warm-ups, the writers
introduced themselves and shared good news.
Critiques
New member, Danielle T., started the critique
session by reading a prompt-based piece (“Green Eggs and Ham”) about her dear
husband’s love of certain foods. Members complimented her realistic acceptance
of his “underdeveloped palate” along with her knowledge of his missing so much
delicious food. Michele N. then read
an installment of her Katherine and Wyatt story. Members said her segment, rich
with internal dialogue, showed them Katherine’s emotional reaction in a
realistic (and tasty) way.
Cameron S. then shared a piece featuring
siblings, Jack and Sophia, grappling with Jack’s decision to run away from
home. Members said Cameron’s sense of mystery, danger and foreboding worked
well. Robert O. then asked several
CCWW members to read a continuation his mage story. Members said his piece had
good flow and dialogue. Lori L. then
shared a prompt-based piece (“Green Eggs and Ham”) revealing how she received
Dr. Seuss books as a child. Members heard the ring of truth in her piece and
complimented its flow and nostalgia.
Sandra H. continued by reading “The
Pool,” a non-fiction piece about summer and tadpoles. Members loved her piece,
complimenting her descriptions (“tadpoles look like M & M’s with tails), and
her figurative language (“I’m standing at the edge of a giant Petri dish”),
among other things. Thomas E. then
asked Ollie M. to read his piece
about a show-off named Calvin told by his friend. Members complimented Thomas’s
descriptions (“pock-marked sidewalk”), his pacing and his compelling writing
style.
Ashley T. then read “Reality Is…,” a
spiritual poem/song. One member said the twist at the end worked, and another
said the piece reminded her of a modern-day Psalm. I, Nancy
B., continued by reading “Wrap-around Tuba,” a prompt-based (sousaphone)
poem. Members said my piece reminded them of someone in a high school or
college marching band. Dave P. then
read part of a work-in-progress (WIP) about a man traveling with his dog,
Laddie, while contemplating ending his life. Members said Dave’s piece brought
tears to their eyes while presenting very likeable characters.
Oliver M. then shared a newscast-style
piece offering his opinions. Members said Oliver’s voice, tone and wording
worked well with the content and style of the piece. Lisa C. then read her own version of “Green Eggs and Ham,” complete
with the story of Jesus and original illustrations. Members said her piece was
very well-done, and it would work well with young children.
Connie W. then shared a prompt-based
piece (Iceland). Members said her inclusion of a poem by Robert Frost and song lyrics
by Jimmy Buffett worked, as did her personification of Mother Nature. Matt Y. ended the session by reading a
prompt-based piece (Iceland and “Green Eggs and Ham”) in which a man finds
himself on a ship transporting monkeys. Members said his descriptions and his
humor worked very well.
Nice
writing, everyone!
Links of Interest
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
For those of you interested in writing a novel during the month of
November, please check out this site. You can sign up, choose the amount of
words you write each day and receive support from an online writing community.
Read more here:
__________________________________________________________________________________
Real Simple Writing Contest
Real Simple magazine is
running an essay contest. The deadline is Sept. 18. There is no entry fee.
Read more here:
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Switchback, a publication of
the MFA in Writing Program at the University of San Francisco is currently open
for poetry, prose and art submissions. Deadline for submitting is November 1.
Read more here: http://www.swback.com/call/
Prompts for September 2
Prompts for September 2 are Fool’s
Gold and nosy neighbor. Feel free
to bring in a WIP (work-in-progress) if you’d rather not write to one of the
prompts. Also, please keep pieces 1,500 words or less.
Quote of the week
“Yes. Growing up is highly overrated. Just be an author.”
~Neil
Gaiman
Until next time, happy writing.
~Nancy
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