August 24, 2015
Hello, writers,
What a wonderful first
meeting we had on Tuesday, August 18. Fourteen writers met at the Callahan
Branch Library to share their words and thoughts.
Three new members joined us -
Irina R. Isabelle R. and Elaine H. We are so happy you have joined
us!
Below you’ll find a listing
of community events, a recap of our first session and some links of interest to
writers.
Community Happenings
Family Game Night – at the Callahan Branch Library on Tuesday, September
1, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Bring your own games or use the library’s games. More
here: http://nassaureads.com/events/
Genealogy After Hours – Research your family history at the Callahan Branch
Library on Tuesdays from August 18 until October 27 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. West
Nassau Genealogy Society experts will be available to help you. http://nassaureads.com/events/
Critique overview from August 18 CCWW
We started with warm-ups.
I’ll list them here in case you want to do them at home:
1. Impulsive
2. Paranoia
3. Mob
4. A free-write about anything
Matt Y., Connie W. and Danielle T. shared
warm-ups.
Richard N. recommended
two books. The first was “Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies” by Roy Peter
Clark. The second was “The Irresistible Novel” by Jeff Gerke (who is an
editor).
Connie W. recommended
using the web site, grammarly.com, for commentary and suggestions on writing.
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Irina R. began
the session by reading the prologue of her book. Members said the contrast she
created between Fernandina and Clearwater worked well as did her balance of
dialogue and narration. Matt Y. then
read “The Artist Inside of Me,” a piece with a strong emotional crescendo.
Members said his vivid descriptions (such as the bowler hat and tails) worked
well. Lisa C. then read “Drop the
Mic,” a prompt-based (karaoke love story) poem. Members complimented Lisa’s
rhymes (such as throat/note and applaud/awed) and her poem’s narrative
structure.
Ines R. then
read chapter one of “Cotton,” a piece based on a visual forest prompt. Members
complimented her use of flashback as well as the lyrical quality to her writing.
Danielle T. then shared a fictional
piece featuring a woman named Mary Lou who decides to leave her husband,
Michael. Members said her characterization and her descriptions worked well. Connie W. then read a continuation of
her hemp rope story. Members mentioned her masterful showing of empathy between
Caleb and Joshua as well as a Biblical quality (similar to Abraham sacrificing
Isaac) to her piece.
Michele continued
the session by reading a new suspense piece. The way Michele presented Courtney
Davenport’s choice worked well, according to members. Cameron S. then shared a poem beginning with the famous “Roses are
red, violets are blue” line. Members said her rhymes worked well. Ashley T. then shared a piece about
Travis, a ninth grade boy. Members said her piece offered good characterization
and descriptions.
Isabelle R. then
read a piece about Pansy Cunningham, a teenage girl who appears perfect on the
outside but may not be. Members said her piece featured excellent pacing and a
good balance of dialogue and narration. Elaine
H. then read part of her WIP (work-in-progress), a young adult novel set in
1800s Florida. Members said she included beautiful imagery (i.e. pushing sand
away like brushing sand from a foot) and excellent description. I, Nancy B., ended the session by reading “Walking
Her Walk,” a piece I wrote about one of my teachers. Members said they enjoyed
the descriptions I wrote of my teacher and of myself at age 13.
Excellent work, everyone!
Links of Interest
Real Simple’s Life
Lessons Essay Contest
This contest seeks essays on
a single decision that changed your life. First prize is $3,000. Deadline is in
the middle of September.
Read more here: http://www.realsimple.com/magazine-more/inside-website/contests-sweepstakes/life-lessons-essay-contest-rules?xid=rsrd-jun15
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Looking for a good book? Here’s
a list of the best 100 novels of all time voted on by regular people. Which
ones have you read? Which ones do you want do read?
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Here are links to the two
books Richard mentioned at the August 18 meeting.
Link to Clark book - Writing
Tools: 50 Strategies for Every Writer
Link to Gerke book - The
Irresistable Novel
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Here’s
the link to the site Connie W. mentioned:
https://www.grammarly.com/1
Quote of the week:
“To me, the
greatest pleasure of writing is not what it's about, but the inner music the
words make.”
~Truman Capote
Prompts for Tuesday, August 25
The first prompt is…wacky family traditions. The second
prompt is…parade. 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.
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