Wacky Family Traditions and Parades

August 27, 2015

Hello, writers,

Our second workshop of the first fall session was held Tuesday, August 25, at the Callahan Branch Library.

Danielle C., a new member, joined us. Welcome, Danielle!

Below you’ll find a listing of community events, a recap of our first session and some links of interest to writers.

Community Happenings

Plant Clinic at Hagan Ace Hardware in Hilliard – On Saturday, August 29, Becky Jordi, County Extension Coordinator, will hold a plant clinic from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

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 25 CCWW

We started with warm-ups. I’ll list them here in case you want to do them at home:

1.      A favorite or not-so-favorite pet

2.      Cooking disasters

3.      The international space station

4.      A free-write about anything

Ashley T.(cooking disasters), Connie W. (the international space station) and Irina R.(a favorite or not-so-favorite pet) shared warm-ups. Good job!

Ashley T. brought homemade cake pops with messages for writers attached. Thanks, Ashley!

Richard N. plans to submit a piece of flash fiction to Splickety. Way to go, Richard!

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Ashley T. started the session with “Blameless,” a fictional flashback from Julie’s perspective. Members said the relationship and dialogue she created between the doctor and Julie worked well. Matt Y. then shared a fictional piece featuring Frank, Catfish, Toby and Theodore. Members said Matt’s use of sensory details (sights, smells, and sounds) worked well. Irina R. then read a fictional piece with a futuristic setting. Members said her piece had a good balance of dialogue and narration.

Ines R. then read the second chapter of “Cotton,” her WIP. Members said her descriptions (i.e. tongue felt parched and foreign) and her characterization worked. Elaine H. then read another section of her WIP featuring White Dove and Magnolia. Members complimented her lyrical writing quality as well as the coming-of-age feel of her work. Richard N. then read “Patrol Duty,” a flash fiction piece. Members complimented his quick-moving style and his characterization.

I, Nancy B., then read “Polka Plaid,” a children’s story. Members said my story reminded them of a Junie B. Jones book. Danielle C. then read an ode to her possessed parrot. Members said her humor worked as did her phrasing (i.e. cage was a fortress). Michele N. then read a continuation of Courtney Davenport’s story. Members said her characterization and her pacing worked well.

Connie W. then read “Buttery Birthday,” a prompt-based (wacky family traditions) piece about nose-buttering. Members complimented her details and her descriptions. Lisa C. then asked several members to read her script, “Communication Gap,” a prompt-based (wacky family traditions) piece. Members complimented her humor and the pacing of her piece.

Excellent work, everyone!

Links of Interest

Real Simple’s Life Lessons Essay Contest (I’m keeping this up one more week).

This contest seeks essays on a single decision that changed your life. First prize is $3,000. Deadline is September 21.

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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Here’s a link to dictionary.com’s daily crossword puzzle.

Enjoy puzzles here: http://dictionary.reference.com/fun/crossword

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Here’s a link to Merriam-Webster’s visual dictionary. This is a great way to see the definitions of words.

More here: http://www.visualdictionaryonline.com/

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Quote of the week:

“To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”

                                                                                    ~ Elbert Hubbard

Prompts for Tuesday, September 1

The first prompt is…the nail salon. The second prompt is…the furniture store. 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.