Friday, February 6, 2015

"Praise Education, Erase the Student"



Friday, February 6, 2015

Fourteen writers met at the Callahan Branch Library Tuesday night, February 3, for the fourth of six creative writing workshops.   

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.       I believe animals exist to…. (In memory of Lyle Love-It)
2.       Your favorite chore
3.       The detective saw his opportunity. He grabbed the waitress’s arm and said…
4.       A freewrite about anything

After a Matt Y., Richard N. and Connie W. shared warm-ups, Connie K. brought us up to date on her work as a book influencer. She’s currently helping author, Jill Eileen Smith, launch books in her “Daughters of the Promised Land” series. 

West Nassau High School is performing “Beauty and the Beast” on Thursday and Friday, February 12 and 13, beginning at 6:30pm in the school cafeteria. Tickets are $5.00 per person. Children 12 and under are free! We are planning on attending the Friday night performance. Anyone else want to join us?

The Amelia Island Book Festival will be held Feb. 19-21. Authors include Charles Benoit, Heather Ashby, Nancy Blanton and others. More here: www.ameliaislandbookfestival.org.

“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

A Short Break Before Session Two

Hard to believe, but our first spring session of CCWW is almost finished. That means, CCWW will not meet on Tuesday, February 24, and Tuesday, March 3.

If you’re planning on reserving a spot for the second spring session (March 10 – April 14), please sign up for session two on February 10 or e-mail one of the CCWW moderators (Lisa C., Michele N. or Nancy B.) in the next week or so.  

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.
She told me this week she is planning on producing an anthology of short stories, poems, thought pieces and more. If you’d like to be involved, please let Nancy know.

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 we’ll be able to move into the room after our warm-up time on each of these dates.

Critiques

Thomas E. asked Lisa C. to read a piece about a special school for gifted kids. Members complimented Thomas’s vivid descriptions (i.e. “emerald eyes”) as well as the connection his piece made to Buddhism. Oliver M. then shared a prompt-based piece (erasers) about a photograph and the memories and stories associated with it. Members said his piece read like poetry and offered listeners a chance to make their own meaning. Ashley T. then read a continuation of her piece from the previous week featuring Annabelle and Will arriving at school. Members said her reference to the sunglasses on the captain as well as the mystery between Annabelle and her uncle worked.

Butch K. then read a first-person memory piece about working as a fireman. Members complimented his descriptions of the sky and the firehouse as well as several of his powerful phrases (such as, “death was making a house call”). I, Nancy B., then read a piece about my piano-playing alter ego named Francesca. Members said my descriptions worked as well as the connection I made between my mom’s hands and my own. Makenzie K. then asked Lisa C. to read her poem. The rhymes, the meter and the sense of hope in the piece worked, according to members.

Lisa C. then read “Fixer-Uppers,” a prompt-based (erasers) poem. Members complimented her rhymes (such as, “slate” and “fate”) and the truth of her piece. Matt Y. then shared a prompt-based (erasers) powerhouse of a piece. Members said his references to the piece of meat and holding a gun like an eraser worked.  Danielle T. then read a continuation of her father’s story. Members complimented the picture her words painted of her father as a boy, and they also encouraged her to keep writing his story.

Ines R. then shared a continuation of her story. Her skillful showing (not just telling) of loneliness and the cruelty of kids worked well, according to members. Connie W. then read a prompt-based (erasers) tone poem. Her “praise the _______, erase the _____” phrases worked as did her thoughtful social commentary, members said. Connie K. then read a memory piece about her reaction (at almost 3 years of age) to her baby sister’s arrival. Members said her piece presented truth and anger in a realistic and compelling way. Richard N. ended the session by asking Michele N. to read another installment of his second Dodge story. Members said the dialogue between John and Vicki worked, as did the continuing romance between the two characters.

Super work, everyone!  

Links of Interest

1.       Here’s a creative writing blog you may wish to check out when you have time. It offers writing tips and exercises, among other things.  You may wish to subscribe to this blog.

                     Read them here:

                      http://thewritepractice.com/

2.       “Poets & Writers” magazine offers an updated database of literary journals and reviews               seeking work. If you’re interested, consider scheduling some time to research their site.              

                    Follow this introductory link for details:

                   http://www.pw.org/content/literary_magazines

Prompt and Guidelines for 2/10/15

The prompt for 2/10/15 is surfing. 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:

“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”
                                                                                                               ~William Faulkner

Write on!

~Nancy B.