Meeting report

First of all I would like to say thanks again to all members attending last night's meeting (21st June). Once again the scope and quality of the writing should not but always does, amaze. The members present were:

Beryl, Sandy, Liliane, Caz, Ray, Tony, Dave, Les, Carolyn, Cathy, Stephen, Martin and yours truly.

The homework subject was Monte Carlo and we had the full spectrum of pieces covering tears and sorrow, through to heartfelt laughter.

A brief run through of the stories are as follows.

Beryl gave us 'Never more Alive.' A factional piece about Grace Kelly.

Sandy had us giggling as she read a letter from an elderly? mother to her children, from her retirement in Monte Carlo, called 'Cheerio.'

Liliane had obviously spent many hours researching 'Monaco-The Grimaldis and the Casino.' Anything we need to know about the place, just ask Liliane.

Caz had us moved to tears with part of her memories of her beloved Jack in 'Monte Carlo or bust' including a charity cycle ride from London to Monte Carlo.

Ray, on the other hand, had us living today in a resulting alternative history, (No second world war and everything steam powered) called Bounty Hunters.

Tony created more laughter lines with his resume of plans for a holiday called 'We're all going on a...' Wanting to visit Monte Carlo but financial and travel sickness problems force a drastic change of plan.

Dave would have us believe that if he picked up a high value chip in a Casino he would hand it in !!! This was called 'Had my Chips'. The folly of gambling.

Les tried to convince us that his work was fact but we all know Joan would not have put him through the pain of needing many expensive holidays.

Carolyn related her story of a friend called Paula who seemed to be constantly picking the wrong paramour. Usually one who desired the finer things in life. This was called simply 'Paula and Jake'.

Cathy gave us the pleasure of her company but had brought nothing written. Her attendance (as she said) was simply to give herself and her husband a bit of relief and time to think of things other than his recent by-pass operation.

Stephen gave us 'Never the Twain-A dream within a dream' the beginning of a maybe book about a recently purchased Country Pile with a resident ghost.

Martin as usual gave us 'The Gambler'. Another tale with the underlying message that gambling is not the answer.

My humble piece was entitled 'Complete Accord' where I gave the twins from my last homework, a weekend in Monte Carlo.

After Belinda's flying visit Dave read her contribution to the theme - 'Midnight Delights', about a delicious biscuit made in Australia by Arnotts's Biscuit factory.

The meeting finished with a ten minute chat about this and that and Martin gave us the two word subject for our next meeting on the 5TH OF JULY.

The subject (1000 words or less) will be 'THE JURY'. Hopefully the verdicts will all be favourable.

Finally I would like you all to read and inwardly digest the e mail I received today from Robyn Daniels. There are items in the mail that will be of interest to all of us no doubt and as Robyn says at the end, she would appreciate the views of the Scribblers membership. So your comments will be appreciated.
For now I will say Goodbye.
Barry.

Subject: Scribblers on Felixstowe Radio
Hi Barry and all at Scribblers

I’m sorry to see that I missed one of your meetings last night. My name is Robyn Daniels (author name Robyn Free). I am writing to invite the Club to participate in a new programme called ‘My Word’ on Felixstowe Radio. I have just mooted the idea of a literary programme to the Committee and they have agreed in principle. The proposed slot will be on a Sunday between 6 and 7pm – the first half will be for young people, the remainder for adults – depending on content this could extend to an hour for adults (till 7.30pm). It will look at all forms of the written and spoken word (ie, poems, plays as well as books (fiction and non-fiction – including audiobooks and ebooks), newspapers and magazines – local that is). I have been aware of Scribblers for some time as I used to live in Felixstowe a decade or so ago and attended a couple of meetings at the library. I have now been back in Felixstowe for a year or so.

I have worked as a sub-editor on a nursing journal and did a year’s training on HND Journalism at Harlow before switching to the BA Writing and Publishing degree course at Middlesex University. I did modules on Broadcast Journalism (placement at TalkTV as researcher) and Writing for Radio. A serious motorbike accident put paid to my studies as it took me over a year to recover physically and more mentally – the accident left me with a severely mangled right leg and body image issues.

Over the past decade I have been working on a children’s book called ‘Angel-Kat’ which is set in Felixstowe. It is difficult to place with mainstream publishers as it is essentially a therapeutic work (for children who’s families have broken up) with an accompanying journal which children can use to work through their own feelings/situation as they read each chapter. You can see the book on my website http://angel-kat.com. (Take a Look page – click on chapter nos 1>12 at bottom of page to go to illustration heading up each chapter.) I took the book to the Bologna Book Fair this year and was fortunate enough to have some time/guidance from Julia Ferguson, Head of BBC Worldwide Licensing who thought it might fit a gap in their animation scheduling for 7>12-year-old girls. It is currently under consideration/appraisal at Ragdoll Productions (should hear from them by next month one way or the other). It may well be that an animation series will precede the book/merchandising. I am working on a sequel for teenagers and also a series called The Eliza-Bears (Elizabethan characters and events – I write mainly faction). I also have two adult fiction books on the back-burner. I will be promoting the book this summer at open air venues such as the Triangle and at the Carnival (the book has a multicultural theme that fits with the carnival theme this year) and ‘Art on the Prom’ (illustrations etc) alongside promoting Turkish Van cats (I have two). Felixstowe Futures are keen to have events at the Triangle and the Scribblers might want to consider an event there - ?regular open-air storytelling sessions or short plays? I would also like to see a Literary Festival at Felixstowe some time soon.

Back to the proposed programme – I have already contacted all the book retailers in Felixstowe and the library who have agreed to take part in the programme on a monthly basis. We will be running a competition for young writers on the youth slot along the lines of the recent competition run by BBC Radio 4/Chris Evans. There will also be opportunities for local writers to read from and talk about their work. I hope I may come along to your next meeting to talk about this and whether the club would like to participate regularly either by personal appearances at the studio or via recorded interviews. Perhaps you could canvas members views by email before your next meeting. Your comments would be appreciated.

Regards
Robyn