Recap of Oct. 27 Session

November 9, 2015

Hello, writers,

Though we only have two workshops left this session, we will start again with two six-week sessions in January.

Below, you’ll see the recap from our October 27 session. I’ll add the recap on the November 3 session in the next day or two. 

There are several wonderful writing contests going on in November. I’ve listed some links below.   

Recap of November October 27 CCWW

After Richard N. and Ines R. read their warm-ups, Ruth A. mentioned the annual Christmas writing contest hosted by “The Florida Times-Union.” 

I, Nancy B., began the session reading a chapter of my WIP featuring Bruno. Members said my humorous characterization worked. Danielle T. then shared a true piece about her grandchildren. Members appreciated the honesty and pathos in her piece. Ruth A. then read about a ship captain and his dog. Her excellent descriptions won rave reviews from members (i.e. the aroma of wood shavings”). 

Lisa C. then shared “The Abyss,” a prompt-based poem. Members complimented her well-created rhymes and her poem’s subject matter.  Ines R. then shared chapter five of “New Girl in Town,” one of her WIPs. Members complimented the meteor shower she included as well as her well-placed descriptions (i.e. “silence required for beauty”). Richard N. then shared a continuation of his second WIP. Members complimented the names of his characters (i.e. “Pike” and “Noxia”) as well has his powerful figurative language (“If her eyes could shoot flames, he’d be a pillar of cinders”). 

Irina R. then read a continuation of her WIP. Members complimented her use of sounds (i.e. buzzing) and the setting she created around Rita and Ryan with the crates. Ashley T. then read more of her fan fiction based on “The Mortal Instruments.” Members complimented her narrative line as well as her characterization. Moriah R. then shared an instruction on what makes people want to read more. Her piece led to a wonderful discussion later in the session. 

Lori L. then read a piece with excellent foreshadowing. Members said her piece was very touching. Ruth A. ended the session reading a second piece she wrote on figures of speech. Her wonderfully written piece led into a solid discussion about language and literacy.

Excellent work, everyone!

Upcoming Prompts

  November 10 – Dandelions

  November 17 – the Taj Mahal

Links of Interest

*Times-Union’s Holiday Short Story Contest is going on now. The deadline is Nov. 23. Stories must be fiction, 1000 words or less and include a ghost, a department store Santa and a woman with amnesia. 

More here: http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/2015-11-05/story/enter-our-annual-holiday-short-story-contest

*Narrative Magazine’s fall story contest is seeking fiction and non-fiction submissions. First prize is $2500. Word limit is 1500. Deadline is November 30.

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

*Blackbird: An Online Journal of Literature and the Arts is seeking submissions.

More here: http://www.blackbird.vcu.edu/v14n1/submissions.shtml

Quote of the Week

“You learn by writing short stories. Keep writing short stories. The money’s in novels, but writing short stories keeps your writing lean and pointed.”

                                                                                                                ~Larry Niven
Until tomorrow night, happy writing!

~Nancy B.