The Symphony or Zendoodle

September 26, 2016

Hello, writers,

A bunch of writers met at the Callahan Branch Library for our third workshop on Tuesday, September 20.  

Though we missed several of you due to various reasons or commitments, we shared many laughs and wonderful words.

Please find a recap of our evening, a couple links of potential interest, and optional writing prompts for tomorrow night’s session.

Recap of September 20 CCWW

Several writers shared their warm-up writing, including Abigail S. (all four prompts!), Richard N. (all four prompts), Allen M. (halitosis), and Mrs. Jeanne S. (pedicures).  

Here are the warm-up prompts, in case you’d like to do them at home:

                *Pedicures or manicures

                *Left-handedness

                *Halitosis (bad breath)

                *A freewrite about anything

 

Abigial S. began the critique session by reading the first three chapters of her piece about the girl falling in darkness. Members complimented her pacing as well as the contrast of brightness and darkness in her piece. I, Nancy B., then read more of my “Camp Connect” piece about kids addicted to the Internet. Members said my characterization of the man with bulbous fish eyes worked. Meredith M. then shared a prompt-based poem (Zendoodle), which everyone raved about! Members said her descriptions of the beautiful Zendoodle as a woman worked well.

Michele N. then read a continuation of her piece featuring Jenna and Jackson. Member complimented her flowing style and her skillful set up of the coming conflict. Lauren L. then read a poem written in first person from Death’s point of view. Members complimented Lauren’s subject matter, her writing, and the slow reveal of who/what Death is in the poem. Allen M. then shared the second chapter of his WIP (work-in-progress). Members complimented his descriptions (of Imagi and Reality) and the imagination evident in his piece.

Elaine H. then shared a continuation of another story featuring Violet and Sally Mae who must adjust to life in Florida while their dad is in prison. Members said her writing was easy to visualize and full of excellent characterization and description. Richard N. then read a continuation of his Dodge story (book two). Members complimented his balance of dialogue and narration, as well as the believable conflict he created between Rosellini and Dodge and between Vikki and Dodge.

Exceptional writing, everyone!

Prompts for September 27

The prompts are “cooking triumphs or disasters” or “the check is in the mail” Of course, you’re free to bring a WIP (work-in-progress), if you like.

Links of Interest

1. A writing group called Word Weavers:

                This is Richard N.’s group. They meet once a month, on Saturdays, at North Jacksonville Baptist Church. I’m     keeping the link here for one more week, in case anyone’s interested in attending.

                More here: http://word-weavers.com/

1. Indie Author Day at the Callahan Branch Library
    
   Kay Dew Shostak will be at the Callahan Branch Library on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    
   http://nassaureads.com/event-directory/
    

Quote of the Week

“Poetry creates the myth, the prose writer draws its portrait.”

                                                                                                ~ John Paul Sartre

Looking forward to seeing you in two weeks for the beginning of Session Two on October 18.

~Nancy B.

 

 

 

Local Honey or Monopoly?

September 19, 2016

Hello, writers,

Ten intrepid writers braved the rain to attend our second workshop at the Callahan Branch Library on Tuesday, September 13. 

Please find a recap of our evening, a few links of potential interest, and optional writing prompts for tomorrow night’s session.

Recap of September 19 CCWW

Allen M. celebrated a birthday on September 9. Happy birthday, Allen!

Abigail S. built a bat house with her dad. Way to go, Abigail!

Several writers shared their warm-up writing, including Richard N. (all four prompts!), Ines R. (lifelong learning), Abigail S (chess or checkers and the number 8), Danielle T. (freewrite about being electronically hacked),  Allen M. (freewrite on the grim reaper), and Aunita W. (freewrite on relationships). 

Here are the warm-up prompts, in case you’d like to do them at home: 

                *Chess or checkers

                *The number 8

                *Lifelong learning

                *A freewrite about anything

I, Nancy B., began the critique session by reading part of “Camp Connect,” a short story I wrote a while ago. Members complimented my descriptions of apple juice and fermented body odor lingering in the bus seats. Aunita W. then shared “Life Monopolized,” a prompt-based (Monopoly) poem. Members complimented her dice and game metaphors, as well as her fresh phrases (such as “It’s really lonely when you look around, and you’re the new old.” Allen M. then shared “A Boy and His Gadgets,” from a larger work entitled “The Good Squad.” Members complimented his dialogue, the relationship between Creed and Carl, and the sense of mystery/discovery his piece created.

Richard N. then shared a scene between Dodge and Sweeting in which Dodge learns he’s adopted. Members complimented Richard’s characterization, as well as his balance between dialogue and narration. Ines R. then read “Myrkurt,” a rewritten chapter one of her new story. Members complimented the unpredictable nature of the piece as well as the underlying theme of good versus evil. (I don’t think anyone figured out the story featured rat characters)! Michele N. then read a short story featuring what we think will be an office romance between two lawyers, Jenna and Jackson. Members remarked on how well Michele set up her story, as well as many descriptions she used (such as Jackson’s calloused hands).

Meredith M. then read a prompt-based poem (local honey) about local honey. Members said her rhymes worked well (such as notorious/glorious) as well as the theme of the piece (i.e. being kind to others brings in more returns and more business). Abigail S. then read a continuation of her story about the girl falling through darkness. Members complimented her creativity, her use of the Veleveteen Room, and her mixing of dream versus reality. Danielle T. then read a continuation of her Michael and Mary Lou piece after Beth Anne has found her mother’s note. Members complimented Danielle’s details (such as the color of the yellow tablecloth) and her characterization and motivation of wife/mother/woman, Mary Lou.

Wonderful writing, everyone! 

Prompts for September 20

The prompts are “Zendoodle” or “the symphony.” Of course, you’re free to bring a WIP (work-in-progress), if you like.

Links of Interest

1.       More on Word Weavers:

This is Richard N.’s group. They meet once a month, on Saturdays, at North Jacksonville Baptist Church.

More here: http://word-weavers.com/

2.       Want to enter a writing contest? Check out TheWriteLife.

Here’s a list of 29 contests with cash prizes.

http://thewritelife.com/27-free-writing-contests/

Quote of the Week

“A blank piece of paper is God’s way of telling you how hard it is to be God.”

                                                                                                ~ Sydney Sheldon

Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday, September 20!

~Nancy B.

Welcome to Our First Fall Session

September 12, 2016

Hello, writers,

Eleven writers, many of them new to our group, met at the Callahan Branch Library on Tuesday, September 6. 

Please welcome Meredith M., Allen M., Abigail S., Aunita W., and Nancy K. to our group. Welcome, new members. We’re glad you’ve joined us!

Co-moderator, Lisa C., did a wonderful job greeting everyone and running our workshop.

Below, you’ll find a recap of our evening, a few links of interest and prompts for tomorrow night’s session.

Recap of September 6 CCWW

Several writers shared their warm-up writing, including Abigail S., Connie W., Allen M., Nancy K., and Aunita W. Here are the warm-up prompts, in case you’d like to do them at home:

                *Plaid, stripes or polka dots

                *Lawn mowers

                *Election year

                *A freewrite about anything

Meredith M. began our session by sharing a poem focused on the color green. Members said her rhymes worked, as well as the truths her poem shared (such as our universal knowledge of the ‘green-eyed monster’). Allen M. then read the rough draft of a chapter from his new book. Members enjoyed his descriptions (such as drizzling caramel sauce) as well as his writing (such as, “By now, frappes were in his muscle memory.”). I, Nancy B., then shared a rough draft of a story series about a family who has thorns on their heads. 

Danielle T. then shared a continuation of her saga featuring Michael and Mary Lou. Members loved the suspense Danielle created as Beth Anne found a note! Ines R. then shared an untitled piece featuring Avaline and Taz. Members loved her character names as well as how she may or may not use magic in her piece. Nancy K. then shared a meditation piece about a saint and prayer. Members complimented the flow and honesty of her piece.

Lisa C. then read “Stumped,” a poem about directions. As usual, her rhymes worked very well! Connie W. then read a poem about a storm (prompted by Hurricane Hermine). Many of her phrases worked, members said, but especially these: “The sun shines on the branches, like humans that hang on to a spent life of bad decisions” and “Another storm will give them back to the earth.” 

Abigail S. then read a story about a young person seeing a girl falling through blackness. Members connected her piece to both “Alice in Wonderland” and “A Wrinkle in Time.” Irina R. finished the session by reading new fiction featuring a huntress named Marie who is searching for a deer.  Members complimented her writing from Marie’s perspective as well as the flow of her piece.

Excellent pieces, everyone! 

Prompts for September 13

The prompts are “local honey” or “Monopoly.” Of course, you’re free to bring a WIP (work-in-progress), if you like.

Links of Interest

1.       Great magazine for writers:

  Poets and Writers Magazine has tons of information and articles for writers.

 More here: http://www.pw.org/magazine

2.       A writerly place to hang out:

The Writer Magazine’s site is chock full of information on agents, contests and writing.

http://www.writermag.com/

Quote of the Week

“All literature is protest. You can’t name a single novel that isn’t protest.”

                                                                                                ~ Richard Wright

Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday, September 13!

~Nancy B.