One thing stood out rather sadly at the Book Festival. There was no Mairead dashing from event to event, smiling and helping out wherever she could. We really missed her enthusiasm.
It was great to hear that Morag Liffen (Clarke), one of our former regulars, won the short story competition. Morag has always been an excellent writer - anyone with doubts should read her latest novel, 'The Coach Trip.' Well done to her and many, many congratulations.
It was also nice to see Jane there with us. I think she said, 'Morag won. I didn't!' No not sour grapes at all, just Jane's sense of humour. Although she has been absent from our meetings for some time now, Jane says she will be back soon and we say, the sooner the better!
Someone who travelled many miles up from St.Ives, Cornwall was Suzy, a Scribbler at heart and a founder member of OWL. Good to see her, but sad that she can find no writing group in her locality. She would like an online presence to bounce stories and poetry back and forth.
The Cafe Culture session late on Saturday was very interesting and provided some of us with the opportunity to read out stories and poems. Again there seemed to be a divide between the poets and our group, probably not intentionally. I must confess a couple of their poems were really spot on. It was good to see so many writers from our two groups, including Derek and Liz in attendance. Also in the session was Ed Broom of the Ipswich Writer's Cafe. Good to see him again.
Our Flash Fiction workshop worked fairly well again. With a shortage of time between sessions, and a shortage of tables, we managed, with the help of others, to prepare the room just in time for the start.
All available spaces were taken and despite Derek's protestations that he hates flash fiction, his was a really good story. In fact everyone came up with something very interesting including Sally, Sue and Kate trying out this discipline for the first time. Each had a beginning, a middle and an ending, some with quite a twist. We'd all drawn out our prompts and apart from the odd groan or two, all got on with the job in hand. I don't know how it happened but a certain theme for a prompt came from Cathy. It was 'Erotica'. Guess who got that one! I'll bet Mairead was up there laughing and influencing things!
So the end of the 2018 festival. Maybe we'll see you all there next year too.
And so to tomorrow.
Don't forget the Scribblers meet up again in the Room at the Top at 7.30 tomorrow (Tuesday 3 July) when the homework assignment, in memory of Mairead, was set for up to 1,000 words on 'Crystal Ball.' Bridget, bless her, will bring in a crystal ball which will become an annual trophy for the Halloween meeting. Hoping you will all be able to attend. Don't forget the door will be locked at 7.30.
Keep Scribbling!!!
