Monday, February 13, 2017

Auditions and Sticky Notes



February 13, 2017

Hello, writers,

Happy Valentine’s Day Eve! I hope you’re having a great week.

Our February 7 CCWW featured books, well-written phrases, and lots of laughter.  

Below, you’ll find a recap of our evening, a few links of potential interest, and optional writing prompts for the February 14 session. 

Recap of February 7 CCWW

Abby S. and Theresa E. shared their warm-ups with the group.

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

                *Write about life before Smartphones.
                *Write about a goal you’ve met in your life. What about a goal you’re still achieving?
                *Write about a time you put your foot in your mouth.
                *A freewrite about anything

Meredith M. began the session with a poem. Members complimented her rhymes, as well as the universal appeal of flying with Superman. Lisa C. then shared “The Chance,” a prompt-based (audition) poem. As usual, members marveled at her creativity and her rhyming skill. Ines R. then shared chapter 2 of her work-in-progress, “The Castle in the Rock.” Members complimented her description and metaphorical use of the tapestry.

Lauren L. continued by reading part two of a first person fiction piece she shared last week. Members raved about the universality of her piece as well as her thought-provoking premise of having all the time in the world. I, Nancy B., then read a prompt-based (audition) sonnet. Members complimented my reference to video games. Richard N. then shared his freewrite. His piece shared the publication goals he has met and the ones he’s still working toward.

Allen M. was not feeling well, but Abby S. read a continuation of his piece. Members complimented his balance between narration and dialogue. Michele N. then shared a piece featuring two characters who knew each other in the past, Wyatt and Katherine. Members complimented her descriptions and the set-up of the relationship between the two characters.  

Abby S. then read a continuation of her work-in-progress.  Members complimented her creativity, imagination, and characterization. Elaine H. then shared a fiction piece set near the St. Mary's River featuring a boy named Anton and a Florida red wolf. Members complimented Elaine's sensory details and her vivid descriptions. Sally S. then read a non-fiction piece about coming home.  Members complimented the truth of her piece, especially the different ways home looks through the eyes of a child and the eyes of an adult.
                                                                                                               
Wonderful writing, everyone! 

Prompts for February 14

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

Links of Interest (I’m keeping these up for another week)

1.       We mentioned signing up for Ashley T.’s meals as a culinary student.
                Dinners on Thursday nights at FSCJ Downtown Campus with themes as follows:
                New England 2/9
                New Orleans 2/16
                Southern 2/23
                Heartland 3/2
                Southwest 3/9
                California 3/16
                Northwest 3/30
                Florida 4/6
                Hawaii 4/13

                For more information or reservations, please call 904-633-8151.
2.       Here’s a great contest with a March 15 deadline.

Writers-Editors International Writing Competition (many genres)
               

Quote of the Week

“A real book is not the one that’s read, but the one that reads us.”
                                                                                                ~ W. H. Auden

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 14.

~Nancy B.

P.S. Session One ends on Feb. 14. Session Two begins March 7, but we will not meet on March 14 or April 11.



Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Obituaries and Card Games



February 7, 2017

Hello, writers,

How has your week been? Have you submitted any writing to a contest or to a publisher?

Our January 31 CCWW featured laughs, lines of poetry, and lilting phrases. 

Below, you’ll find a recap of our evening, a few links of potential interest, and optional writing prompts for the February 7 session. 

Recap of January 31 CCWW

Lauren L., Abby S., Richard N., and Allen M.  shared their warm-ups with the group.

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

                *Write about when you did something bad and got away with it.
                *A twinkling eye can mean many things. Write a poem about a twinkle in someone’s eye.
                *Revisit your earliest memories about faith, religion, or spirituality.
                *A freewrite about anything
                                                                                                                (Source: writingforward.com)

Meredith M. began the session reading a poem with historical themes. Members complimented her ability to rhyme and her references to the Louisiana Purchase, among other things. Ashley T. then read a prompt-based (obituary) poem about her life. Members complimented her ability to look at her life with perspective. Ines R. then shared Chapter 2 of “Myrkurt.” Members praised her lyrical descriptions, such as “her scars felt overwhelming.”

Abby S. then read a continuation of her WIP (work-in-progress). Members complimented her characterization and the humor she used. Allen M. then read Chapter 9 in his WIP. Members praised his development of a sub-plot and his balance and grasp of both dialogue and narration in his piece. Lauren L. then read a first-person account of a young woman waiting at a bus stop considering the concept of time. Members praised her the coming of age theme of her piece as well as the angst she created in her protagonist.

Almariah M. then shared an excerpt from her WIP, “Skin.” Members complimented her set-up of the romance between an African-American girl and a British-Pakistani male. Theresa E. then shared a think-piece on the recent history of the optical industry. Members complimented her “TED Talk” writing style, and the amount of information she conveyed in her piece.

Lisa C. then read a prompt-based (obituary) piece. Members complimented her perspective on her own life, as well as her warning to eat dinner with your family. Dane M. ended the session reading a true story about trains. Members complimented the setting he created (Westfield, New York in the late 70s) and the actions he included (such as bowling with beer cans and softballs).

Wonderful writing, everyone! 

Prompts for February 7

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

Links of Interest 

1.       We mentioned signing up for Ashley T.’s meals. She is a culinary student.

                Dinners on Thursday nights at FSCJ Downtown Campus with themes as follows:

                New England 2/9
                New Orleans 2/16
                Southern 2/23
                Heartland 3/2
                Southwest 3/9
                California 3/16
                Northwest 3/30
                Florida 4/6
                Hawaii 4/13

                For more information or reservations, please call 904-633-8151. 

2.       Here’s a great contest with a March 15 deadline.

Writers-Editors International Writing Competition (many genres to choose from)
               

Quote of the Week

“A book should serve as the axe for the frozen sea within us.”
                                                                                                ~ Franz Kafka
Looking forward to seeing everyone on Feb. 7.

~Nancy B.