My apologies for these minutes being so late - I own up - I forgot to do them! It's thanks to a gentle and timely reminder from Dave that you now have them.
Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 6 June 2017
Present: Dave, Steve, Beryl, Liliane, Mairead, Kay, Bridget, Gerry, Di, Cathy
Apologies: Jim, Dick, Anne and Tony
Business:
New members Kay and Bridget briefly introduced themselves to Di.
Dave updated everyone on the progress of the anthology. We have accepted a quote to print all in black and white, instead of part colour as in previous anthologies.
Reading and critiquing longer piece of work
Mairead read ‘The Bedroom Mirror’, a piece of just over 2000 words – a complete story in itself, but one which she used to develop potential ideas for the novel she has in mind.
The work was totally absorbing, and the resulting discussion and feedback raised numerous points regarding style of writing, how to manage ‘show not tell’, plus how to make sure characters stay in the reader’s mind as the story progresses. Ideas and plot were much praised – and to add to our interest, Mairead had brought along a scrying mirror and other artefacts for us to examine. Her passion for magic in all its forms was clear for us all to see!
By the time this element of the meeting was over, and we’d enjoyed a coffee break with doughnuts etc kindly brought in by Mairead, it was 8.45, so nobody else read longer pieces out – instead, we heard readings of the 1000 word homework based on ‘unrequited love’.
Di: Mum and me
Bridget: Unrequited love
Beryl: A new take on an old tale
Kay: part of ‘Return ticket’
Liliane: The scent of all the roses
Steve: Great expectations
Dave: Running late
As ever, the theme had inspired a great variety of stories – proving once again what imaginations we all have.
Next meeting: Tuesday 20 June, when we have the photographic exercise, i.e. flash fiction with a different stimulus than the four words last time. For anyone not used to this, the idea is that we each bring in a photograph or postcard, which we put face down on the table. These are then shuffled around, and each member takes one (not their own), and we all spend about half an hour writing something inspired by our selected picture. Stories are then read out. This is always fun, once we’ve all got to grips with our selection!
