Paper Plates, To Be or Not To Be?

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Third times a charm, in this CCWW session, the writers expressed their thoughts, opinions and a little life humor.  The session was held at the Callahan Branch Library on Tuesday, January 27th.  We writers seemed to be unwittingly in a battle with very vocal teenagers but we were able to cut off the invaders with a closed door and no one got hurt.

Here is a recap of the events of the evening:

Warm-Ups and News

Writers chose to write for ten minutes on one or more of the four prompts listed below.

                                       1.  Robots
                                       2.  The dogcatcher
                                       3.  A favorite cartoon or comic strip
                                       4.  A free write on anything

Matt, Connie W. and Ollie shared their warm-ups with the group.  Good news, Lyle Love-It, seems to be on the mend thanks to medical treatment.  Richard did finally get a response from his contest.  Although he did not win, he was one of the finalist.

"Crafternoon" is being held monthly at the Callahan Branch Library for teens.  This event will be held tomorrow, January 29th at 4:20.  The library is providing supplies. Teens come ready to have fun and bring your imagination.

"Saturday Night Life", a new and different kind of church service, is held each Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church in Callahan.  If you would like to learn more please see Nancy B., Connie K. or Danielle T.

Upcoming Events for CCWW

Spoken Word Festival-April, 2015

April is National Poetry Month.  Last year, we helped the Callahan Branch Librarian, Alison M., host a Spoken Word Festival.  This year, Alison is planning a bigger and better Festival.

If you would like to help with the Spoken Word Festival or take part in it, please let Nancy know. The event is still in the planning stages, and your input is welcome!

Back to the Table for CCWW

That’s right. On February 17, March 17 and March 24, CCWW will meet at the table in the open area of the library. The reason is because we are sharing the conference room with a smoking cessation group. I think that table near the circulation desk has been missing us! What about you?

Critiques

Ashley T. reluctantly started us off with the prologue of her Behind the Walls book.  The dream sequence and ominous tone of the piece resounded well with members.  Matt Y. continued by reading C.R.A.P. (Corporations Run All Politicians), a humorous campaign piece.  Members enjoyed his wit and tone as he read the piece.  Ollie M. then shared a modern day proverb.  Members identified with the piece as it spoke of women who confused pride and ownership.

Connie W. then read a prompt-based piece that relayed the tale of a family witnessing the invention of paper plates and sliced bread and continued through out generations until the modern day family members had no regard for the finer things in life.  Members commented on the loss of tradition and family time.    Richard N.  then had Michele read more of his new Dodge story. Members thought he wove the love-story into the more serious portions of the story very well.

Lori L. took us on a ride through heavy traffic.  Members enjoyed how she compared life to driving and how we are most comfortable in our own lane.   Danielle T. then continued with her tribute to her Father's life.  Members enjoyed the taste of history as well as the emotional tie.

Makenzie K. then had me, Lisa C., read her piece entitled, Alive.  Members  appreciated her underlying message of hope and adventure.  Then, I, Lisa C., read a prompt-based poem entitled, Foiled Again.  One member suggested the poem be donated to the Glad company for a jingle.
Ines R. finished us out with a continuation of her Rain piece.  Members loved her descriptions and the emotion of the piece..

Spectacular Work Guys!

Links of Interest

1.       Great quotes here about the value of libraries:

Read them here: http://ebookfriendly.com/best-quotes-about-libraries-librarians/

2.       “American Short Story Contest” is offered annually to reward and recognize short stories under 1000 words. Submissions are accepted via online submission manager on web site. Please see web site for full details. Entries accepted Feb. 15 through May 1.

Website: www.americanshortfiction.org. Entry fee required.

3.       Here’s an essay contest on the prompt: education in 50 years. There is no entry fee, nice prize money and a Feb. 15 deadline. You must be 25 years of age or younger to participate in the contest.

Read more here: http://bid4papers.com/blog/essay-contest/


Prompt and Guidelines for 2/03/15

The prompt for 2/03/15 is erasers. You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction, drama, etc.) or bring in a WIP (work-in-progress). Please keep pieces 1500 words or less. Keeping our community standards in mind, CCWW now asks writers to refrain from including gratuitous violence, vulgarity or profanity in pieces read at our workshops.

Quote of the week:
“I went for years not finishing anything. Because, of course, when you finish something you can be judged.”
                                                                                                                ~Erica Jong

When in Doubt, Write it Out!

~Lisa C.

Excerpt from "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand

Writers,

Danielle T. sent this excerpt from Rand's "Atlas Shrugged:" 

"The great oak tree had stood on a hill over the Hudson, in a lonely spot of the Taggert estate. Eddie Willers, aged seven, like to come and look at the tree. It had stood there for hundreds of years, and he thought it would always stand there. Its roots clutched the hill like a fist with fingers sunk into the soil, and he thought that if a giant were to seize it by the top, he would not be able to uproot it, but would swing the hill and the whole of the earth with it, like a ball at the end of a string. He felt safe in the oak tree's presence; it was a thing that nothing could change or threaten; it was his greatest symbol of strength.

"One night, lightning struck the oak tree. Eddie saw it the next morning. It lay broken in half, and he looked into its trunk as into the mouth of a black tunnel. The trunk was only an empty shell; its heart had rotted away long ago; there was nothing inside---just a thin gray dust that was being dispersed by the whim of the faintest wind. The living power had gone, and the shape it left had not been able to stand without it."

Danielle had the following to say about the excerpt: 

"This reminds me of a person or a nation which outwardly looks and seems strong, moral, good, benevolent, etc. yet inwardly is rotten and weak. The blackness of a heart has no power to stand. I don't know if she had this intent, but this is my take on it. I LOVE that last sentence.  By the way, I don't buy into objectivism." 

What do you think about Rand, her writings or this excerpt?

~Nancy 

 

Not the Giraffes!

 Friday, January 23, 2015

Our second workshop of 2015 continued CCWW’s tradition of sharing wisdom, wackiness and words. Fourteen writers met at the Callahan Branch Library Tuesday evening, January 20.  

Here’s a recap of what happened along with links of interest and a prompt for next Tuesday.

Warm-ups and News

Writers chose to write for ten minutes on one (or more) of four prompts. I’ll include them here in case you’d like to do them at home: 

1.       Marshmallows                                         

2.       A favorite children’s book

3.       New Year’s un-resolutions                 

4.       A freewrite about anything

After a few writers shared their warm-ups, members shared news and information. Richard N. is still waiting to hear contest results on his first Dodge novel. “No news is good news, “ Richard said.

Connie W. updated us on the status of Lyle Love-It, our CCWW basset hound mascot. Lyle may have congestive heart failure, but last I heard, he was resting comfortably at home. 

Lisa C. and Ashley T. made fortune cookies for each writer. Several ‘fortunes’ were spot-on! Thank you, ladies!

“Crafternoon” is a monthly event for teens at the Callahan Branch Library. Young people are invited to come on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 4:20 p.m. to make crafts. Library will furnish supplies. Teens need to bring their imaginations!

“Saturday Night Life,” a new and different kind of church service, is held each Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center at First Baptist Church, Callahan. If you’d like to learn more, please see Nancy B., Connie K. or Danielle T.     

          

Upcoming Events for CCWW

Spoken Word Festival – April, 2015

April is National Poetry Month. Last year, we helped the Callahan Branch Librarian, Alison M., host a Spoken Word Festival.  This year, Alison is planning a bigger and better Festival.

If you would like to help with the Spoken Word Festival or take part in it, please let Nancy know. The event is still in the planning stages, and your input is welcome!

Back to the Table for CCWW

That’s right. On February 17, March 17 and March 24, CCWW will meet at the table in the open area of the library. The reason is because we are sharing the conference room with a smoking cessation group. I think that table near the circulation desk has been missing us! What about you?

Critiques

Thomas E. asked Michele N. to read “Storm Sailor,” a continuation of a story he shared at our first session. Members complimented his descriptions as well as his inclusion of the main character’s internal dialogue. Butch K. continued by reading a prompt-based (giraffes) reflection of a time he took his granddaughter, Samantha, to the zoo. Butch’s use of figurative language (“they were as tall as pine trees”) and his repetition of the phrase, “not the giraffes,” worked well. Connie W. then read a continuation of her hemp rope story. Members said her piece was “Oliver Twisty” and did an excellent job of showing the new slave-like existence Aiden can look forward to working for Leary.

Lori L. then read a first person piece featuring family members conversing about parenting. Members loved the 'relatability' of the piece as well as its theatrical feel. Matt Y. then read a humorous piece about Dave and Sarah, two lovers who really didn’t want to do anything for each other. Members complimented Matt’s use of irony, his humor, the sneeze (of course), and the two perspectives he presented in the piece. Ollie M. then shared a short piece which ended with a proposal. Members loved the complete 180 the piece did as well as its honesty and slight touch of cynicism.

Michele N. then shared a piece about Southern lady, Annabelle, and her reflections on her New Year’s Resolutions. Michele’s humor, descriptions and honesty (about procrastinating) worked very well. Ashley T. then read “Helpless,” a short poem. Members complimented her rhythms and how the poem expressed our need for a force larger than us. Connie K. then read a first person reflection about working for 27 years as a speech language pathologist. Her piece presented both positives and negatives of the profession in an honest and straightforward way, members said. I, Nancy B., then read a memory piece about my unusual upbringing as the “Champagne Baby.” Members complimented some of my phrasing as well as my transitions in the piece.

Danielle T. then shared the beginning of her father’s story. Members said her piece, though brief, worked very well, and they encouraged her to keep writing his story. Cameron S. then read a first person piece. Members said the emotion of her piece worked as well as her descriptions.

Lisa C. then asked several members to read parts in “Friendly’s Cafe,” a short dramatic piece written on the ‘giraffe’ prompt. Members complimented the realistic dialogue she wrote as well as the realities of people eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. Richard N. asked me to read the next chapter of his second Dodge novel. Members said his transitions between the meeting and the boat scene worked as well as his imagery describing the boat and the Potomac River.

Wonderful words, writers!

Links of Interest

1.       Great quotes here about the value of libraries:

Read them here: http://ebookfriendly.com/best-quotes-about-libraries-librarians/

2.       “American Short Story Contest” is offered annually to reward and recognize short stories under 1000 words. Submissions are accepted via online submission manager on web site. Please see web site for full details. Entries accepted Feb. 15 through May 1.

Website: www.americanshortfiction.org. Entry fee required.

3.       Here’s an essay contest on the prompt: education in 50 years. There is no entry fee, nice prize money and a Feb. 15 deadline. You must be 25 years of age or younger to participate in the contest.

Read more here: http://bid4papers.com/blog/essay-contest/

Prompt and Guidelines for 1/27/15

The prompt for 1/27/15 is paper plates. You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction, drama, etc.) or bring in a WIP (work-in-progress). Please keep pieces 1500 words or less. Keeping our community standards in mind, CCWW now asks writers to refrain from including gratuitous violence, vulgarity or profanity in pieces read at our workshops.

Quote of the week:

“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling us how hard it is to be God.”

                                                                                                                ~Sidney Sheldon

Write on!

~Nancy B.

A New Start for CCWW

Friday, January 16, 2015

Our first workshop of 2015 started with a bang, not a whimper. Fifteen writers met at the Callahan Branch Library Tuesday evening with newly-penned words in hand. 

We welcomed three new members on Tuesday-Ines R., Butch K. and Makenzie K. Please help me welcome these new writers to CCWW. Sharing writing can be an emotionally risky thing to do, so we want all three of you to know how glad we are you decided to join our group!

Here’s a recap of what happened Tuesday night along with links of interest and a prompt for next Tuesday.

Warm-ups and News

As a warm-up, each writer chose a word from a plastic butter container and completed a freewrite on the word for ten minutes. Way to recycle the plastics, Nancy! I picked the word crayons.

After Ollie M. (saxophone), Lisa C. (apples) and Matt Y. (the letter –S) shared their warm-ups, we introduced ourselves, shared good news and reviewed our critique guidelines.

As for what we are currently reading, Danielle T. is enjoying “One Thousand Gifts” by Anne Voskamp.  Connie W. recently finished “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, which she loved. I, Nancy B., have a little more to go in the biography of Steve Jobs. Then, I’ll start a young adult book called “Variant.”

Richard N. should hear whether his first Dodge novel, “The Rosetta Assassin,” won a contest for new writers this week. His new writing group is up and running. Congratulations, Richard! 

Richard’s group, Word Weavers, meets monthly. Their next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 14, at North Jacksonville Baptist Church on North Main Street from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. For more information on Richard’s group, please visit http://word-weavers.com  or e-mail Richard at loco7mo@yahoo.com.

In other news, the Callahan Friends of the Library organization is currently seeking members. If you’d like to give back to our community and take part in shaping local events at the Library, please consider joining. Annual dues are $10.00, and the group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. For more information, you can pick up a brochure at the Library’s circulation desk, or visit this link: http://nassaureads.com/index.aspx?NID=79.

Upcoming Events

Spoken Word Festival – April, 2015

April is National Poetry Month. Last year, we helped the Callahan Branch Librarian, Alison M., host a Spoken Word Festival.  This year, Alison is planning a bigger and better Festival.

If you would like to help with the Spoken Word Festival or take part in it, please let Nancy know. The event is still in the planning stages, and your input is welcome!

Back to the Table for CCWW

That’s right. On February 17, March 17 and March 24, CCWW will meet at the table in the open area of the library. We will be sharing the conference room with a smoking cessation group. I think that table near the circulation desk has been missing us! What about you?

Critiques

Danielle T. began the critique session with a humorous reflection on Pilates. Members complimented the tone of the piece as well as the background she gave on the exercise and the man who invented it. Connie K. then read “One Gift,” a personal piece about finding joy and gratitude in each moment of life. Members complimented her description of a Kansas sunrise as well as the solid structure of her piece. Cameron S. then shared a piece written from the perspective of a sea turtle. Members said her personification and theme worked well.

Makenzie K. then asked Lisa C. to read her poem entitled, “Strange Beauty.” Members appreciated the depth of Makenzie’s poem and the well-crafted lines. Richard N. then shared chapter four of his second Dodge novel. Members complimented his vivid verbs and descriptions as well as his inclusion of ship protocol. Connie W. then read a prompt-based (literary crushes) piece featuring the words of authors, Donna Tartt and Tom Robbins. Members loved the sample sentences she included (i.e. real courage is killing clichés and hot dogs are boneless eagles).   

Matt Y. continued by reading a piece featuring Margaret holding her grandmother’s hand in the hospital. Members connected to his descriptions (i.e. prickly stubble) and his use of sensory details. Thomas E. then asked Michele N. to read a new first person piece about a 17 year-old man emerging from ocean water after a boating accident. Members complimented the action of the piece, the intrigue and the vivid descriptions.  Butch K. then read a first-person reflection on a fire he fought in the 1970s. Members said the contrasts he used worked as well as several of his phrases (i.e. “their faces were void of expression” and “the Devil was doing his dance”).

Ines R. then read the first chapter, “Rain,” of her work-in-progress. Her sense of suspense, use of sound (i.e. web tires on gravel) and the contrast between innocence and evil worked well. Ollie M. then read a piece about freedom in which he shared his gratefulness for his blessings. Members said his piece was nicely patriotic and a good reminder of the importance of individual choice. Michele N. then read the end of her Wyatt and Katherine story. Members complimented the way she set the cabin scene and the flow of her piece. Lisa C. then read “Breaking Free,” a rhyming poem about taking risks. Members said the rhythm and the rhymes in the piece worked well.  I, Nancy B., finished the session reading “The Word and Me,” a first-person account of a day in third grade. Members complimented the biographical nature of my piece as well as some of my phrases (i.e. tenderized the meat of her inner teacher).

Excellent job, everyone!

Links of Interest

“Cobblestone Magazine”

This magazine covers American history for ages 9-14. The publication currently needs fiction, non-fiction

and poetry. Web site: www.cobblestonepub.com. Submission guidelines for “Cobblestone” and others located here: http://www.cricketmag.com/6-SubmissionGuidelines.

“Highlights for Children”

This magazine for children needs adventure, fantasy, mystery, historical and much more. Web site: www.Highlights.com. Contributor guidelines are here: https://www.highlights.com/contributor-guidelines.

Prompt and Guidelines for 1/20/15

The prompt for 1/20/15 is giraffes. You’re free to write in any genre you like (poetry, non-fiction, fiction, drama, etc.) or bring in a WIP (work-in-progress). Please keep pieces 1500 words or less. Keeping our community standards in mind, CCWW now asks writers to refrain from including gratuitous violence, vulgarity or profanity in pieces read at our workshops.

Quote of the week:

“To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.”

                                                                                                                ~Herman Melville

Until Tuesday, happy writing!

~Nancy B.