Blast from the past

A real blast from the past when our 'old' friends Caz and Belinda arrived at tonight's meeting armed with completed homework.

It was lovely to see them both and they were warmly welcomed in the traditional Scribblers way. Shame that some of the regular members could not attend to meet up with Belinda again.

Belinda is on a flying visit to England with her fiance Geoff from their Queensland home and 'persuaded' Caz to come along as well.
A good night was had by all!

People's Book Prize

Ruth Dugdall , seen here collecting the Bill Budner Trophy, needs our help again. Remember how we voted for her book 'The Woman Before Me' to win People's Book Prize (and if you didn't, here's your chance!)? Well Ruth's in the final so voting is now open until July 20th. You need to register to vote, and if you've already voted they'll send you a reminder of your password... Only takes a minute to do. Ruth will really appreciate your help. http://www.peoplesbookprize.com/finalist.php

It's a brilliant read and well worthy of the title so come on Scribblers! Vote for Ruth!

Correction!

New technology

leaves our mature friends in a world of their own ... which reminds me that's why my computer screen is covered with white streaks ....

Let's wave goodbye to old ways and join us at Scribblers TONIGHT!

Our next meeting....

Don't forget tomorrow's meeting (Tuesday 7th June) at the Room at the Top - start 7.30pm. The homework theme - WAVES!

See you tomorrow!

June 6 issue of WritingRaw.com

Writing Raw is a FREE weekly literary magazine dedicated to new and emerging writers. Our goal at Writing Raw is simple - to serve the literary community with the opportunity to have their work online and out in the world. In this world of disappearing literary magazines, Writing Raw is providing the blank pages for writers to fill. New in this issue:

FICTION:
All in the Mind by Ken Sieben
At Number Twenty Two by Amanda Sington-Williams
Chaoins by Ria Falkner
D-117, Spark-Songs by Daniel J. Pool
It's All About the Numbers by Jamie Littlefield
My Rump Hurts Disorder by Heath Corlew
Rabbit Hole by M. Robert Fisher
Sally's Games by Chris Castle
Sienna Island by Chris Castle
Strays by Murielle Cyr

SERIAL:
Destiny Diverted: Chapter 4 by Don Clifford
Panes of Blue: Segment 4 by Jason P. Henry
really BAD Shakespeare Season 2, Episodes 5 and 6

POETRY:
Carl Sandburg, Idols in the Sand, and Galesburg Shacks by Michael Lee Johnson
Down by the Seaside by Peter Yates
God of the Amoebas by Caroline Joanne Merrill
God's School Of Excellence by Una Clarke
Life by Blaze
My Man by Rose E. Grier
No Regrets by Jane Robertson
Paean To His Wife by Christopher Nagle
The Gate of Hell by Kristina Arrambide
We by Blaze
Words by Elaine Rosenberg Miller

ASSORTED:
A Wolf By The Ears by Mattie Lennon
And All His Songs Were Sad (A Full-length Play) by Mattie Lennon
Death Squad by Christopher Nagle
Silence with the Storm, End: A Life's History by Rattan Mann
Window Onto A Windowless World by Tony Culver

INTERVIEWS:
Lee Martin
Gary William Murning

ART:
Vincent Davis

REVIEWS:
Allbooks Review
Between the Sheets: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
FLASH REVIEW by Weeb: The School of Night by Louis Bayard
Rib Reads

Some announcements:

· Good News/Bad News - Well, the good news is that we are back! May was a very busy month for us and now we are back stronger and better than ever. Seems that this thing called LIFE interfered with WritingRaw this month - what with Weeb being in a play (Play On! with the White River Valley Players) and all. But that's all behind him now (until July, when he will be part of the Chandler production of Boys in the Band… we think he's infected with the acting bug. Doctors have been notified.) so now he can devote his time back to his first and true love - WritingRaw…. Now, the BAD news… After much thought and consideration, WritingRaw is going back to every 2 weeks. There is a positive side to this - longer exposure for the pieces on the site. The reason we are doing this has nothing to do with product or material, it just has to do with time. We tried the experiment and realized that it would work out best for everyone if we went back to 2 weeks, but still sticking to those Mondays.

· Full-Length Play - In this issue, WritingRaw is proud to present a full-length play by Mattie Lennon called: And All His Songs Were Sad.

· How to Use the Wall - Let everyone know how you feel about a particular piece on WritingRaw. This is YOUR space to give feedback, recommendations, or just self-promote something that you want to bring further interest too.

· Calling for all artists – If you would like your artwork showcased on WritingRaw.com – please send 5 pictures, along with a short bio (hot links and other information accepted) to Weeb at weeb@writingraw.com

· Click HERE to visit our NEW WritingRaw Conferences Page: Listing upcoming conferences and workshops from all over the world. If you would like to have your conference or workshop listed, please contact Weeb at weeb@writingraw.com

· NEW books in the bookstore - Use the Writing Raw Book Store to promote your novel or poetry collection: If you have a novel or collection that you would like to place in our store, we would be more than happy to do so – for FREE. Just send us a copy of the cover of the book (jpeg, bmp, etc. – please don’t send pdf), a brief synopsis, and a link as to where the material can be purchased.

· really BAD Shakespeare starts with repeats this week - starting with Season 1. Two expanded episodes will appear in each issue for 12 weeks... building to the start of Season 3.

WritingRaw also supports other sites that help writers: www.WritingRaw.com believes in reaching out to other sites, writing groups, forums, and organizations. Contact us on how you can place a FREE banner, announcement or link on our site! Or, perhaps you would like to partner in some way with WritingRaw (column, monthly essay, writing tips, etc.). We are open to ideas…

Or, use the Writing Raw Book Store to promote your novel or poetry collection: If you have a novel or collection that you would like to place in our store, we would be more than happy to do so – for FREE. Just send us a copy of the cover of the book (jpeg, bmp, etc. – please don’t send pdf), a brief synopsis, and a link as to where the material can be purchased.

We are also looking for people to write weekly columns, such as – book and publishing news, exercise and tips, or… well, we are always open to suggestions to help make the site one of the most informative and innovative out there. Let us know if you would like to help in this aspect. All columns will have your byline, your bio information (with hot links to your site), and you will retain all copyright.

The archive has been somewhat purged (after 2 years of material, we needed to clean up some) but, if your material was on WritingRaw.com before the purge and is no longer listed in the archive, we will be more than happy to place it back. Just contact me at weeb@writingraw.com and let me know.

Stop in and discover a new and emerging voice today.

Weeb
WritingRaw.com

Scribblers deliberations

Matt Barclay is a care worker who wishes to produce a film to help carers discover there is a 'life' outside their profession. He is looking for a ghost writer for the film script but there will be very little or no return at all. Anyone interested should contact scribblers@btinternet.com for contact details.

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I would like to draw your group's attention to an online writers' forum, Great Writing. The site has existed since 2005 and has just been rebuilt to improve its speed and user-friendliness.
You can explore it as a guest, without joining, but registration enables you to post and to review work. We would be very happy to see any of your members taking part.
Sue Millard http://www.suemillard.f9.co.uk/

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Dear Scribblers,
My name is Leslie Tate. I have an MA in Creative Writing, two published novels (cover and blurb of the latest attached), have run festival workshops and FE writing classes, appeared at Hackney Empire, Goldsmiths College and 40+ writing groups/U3As.

My partner, Sue Hampton, has 10 books published. She has visited 150 schools inspiring children/staff/parents with a love of children’s literature. Michael Morpugo praised three of her novels as: 1. ‘An enthralling account of the Roman occupation of Britain. A powerfully written debut in a novel that lingers long’ 2. ‘Teriffic’ 3. ‘Beautifully written’.

I'm appearing at the 14th Great Writing Conference June 18/19th, Imperial College, London University to present on 'What Goes into a Great Novel?' I wondered if your writing group would like me to bring along the presentation? It goes like this:

In How Do We Recognise Great Writing? Leslie Tate will describe how two authors present the characteristics of quality writing and the purposes of authorship. A number of reflective activities about writing will be showcased ─ Leslie’s for adults and his partner’s, Sue Hampton, for schoolchildren.

Firstly, Leslie will introduce Sue and himself through poster-size metaphors, then demonstrate, using printed cards and call-and-reply, Sue’s thirteen answers to “Why write?”.

Secondly, using his ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ U3A talk aid (which is pictorial and applies the dancing skills each judge is looking for to a quality book), Leslie will:
· contrast language-led/character-led fiction with plot-driven/issue-led/author-centred stories
· explain the importance of rewriting, as well as ‘blue-eye’, ‘red-eye’, in fully-realised writing
· talk about the 5 main elements that go into a great novel:
a) technique/innovation
b) soul/deep meaning
c) form/tradition
d) passion/expression
e) humour/self awareness.

Finally three readings will exemplify ‘substantiation’ in stories and how quality writing grows unpredictably from character and language and incorporates multiple genres.
Throughout the presentation Leslie will answer questions and incorporate ideas from the audience.

Websites: http://www.leslietate.com/ http://www.suehamptonauthor.co.uk/
If the group could buy a collective copy of my debut Aphrodite’s Children and my latest Frontliners (£8.99 each = £17.98 total) I'd be happy to take that as payment.
Best wishes
Leslie Tate

Scribblers should let Barry know if they are interested in Leslie's offer.

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Anyone who remembers Felixstowe's (in)famous film 'The Lost Sock' might recall mention of the Thorpeness Monster - Could this be it, the same Thorpeness Monster which was spotted at on the Mere 1st June?