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.