Meeting report

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 04 October 2016

Present:  Dave, Mairead, Beryl, Liliane, Jim, Steve, Di, Dick, Jane, Cathy
Apologies: Carolyn

Business:  None

It was good to have a better turnout for this meeting, and we were all glad to that Dick was well enough to join us again. He thanked the group for the ‘get well’ wishes. Nice to welcome Di back after her absence too.
Mairead told us that her niece has a book due for publication in December – clearly good writing is a family trait!

Readings: the theme for the homework was either ‘election’ or ‘where’s the fire extinguisher?’, or a combination of both.We heard some excellent pieces – and such a variety. We had murder, organ donation, life from the point of view of a fire extinguisher (yes, really!) – and lots more.

Jim: - Vote – Vote!  A school dining hall is being used as a polling station and the smell of mashed potato annoys Tracey the bored Poll Clerk.

Steve: The fire extinguisher

Mairead: A dull week at conference

Jane: Broken waters

Di: My family

Beryl: The fire extinguisher

Dave: And the lights went out. Tom was chairman of the historical project group. He was resigning and that caused a lot of friction. Tonto, his opponent, wanted the job. Fights broke out before the election could begin. Tom tried to calm things, called for the fire extinguisher only to see it hurtling towards him...

Liliane: Of politics and religion

There was time after the readings and a good, chatty coffee break, to have a short flash fiction event. Dave tossed the words ‘café and generation’ into the mix, and we spent fifteen minutes scribbling – with some great tales emerging. A ‘well done’ is due to the members of the group who’ve never done flash fiction before, but had a crack at it anyway – very successfully.

Next meeting: that's on Tuesday 18th October – we'll be holding another flash fiction event, this time using a photograph, postcard or picture as a prompt. All you are requested to do is bring one of these items with you, we'll turn them face down, shuffle them up and then you will select one to become the subject of your story. No prizes just a whole lot of creative fun! Doesn't that make a pleasant change not to have any homework?  

A good evening...

A better attended meeting this evening, providing a really varied collection of gripping stories that took hold of the imagination...

Later we held another flash fiction exercise, about ten minutes of writing that had to include the words 'cafe' and 'generation'. The results were astonishingly good in such a short period of time. These impromptu writing sessions have closed up what sometimes seemed like wasted time and converting it into a very useful exercise in creativity.

Next time - that's on Tuesday 18th October - we'll be holding another flash fiction event, this time using a photograph, postcard or picture as a prompt. All you are requested to do is bring one of these items with you, we'll turn them face down, shuffle them up and then you will select one to become the subject of your story. No prizes just a whole lot of creative fun! Doesn't that make a pleasant change not to have any homework?

Until next time,

Keep Scribbling!!!  

Writing workshops

It is time for the reminder of our forthcoming meeting. Yes, it's almost here again. This Tuesday 4th October in The Room at the Top, Felixstowe Library beginning at 7.30 pm. The challenge for the homework assignment gave the option of writing about 'Election', or 'Where's the Fire Extinguisher?'  or as an alternative you could combine the two subjects together in one story of up to 1,000 words. Of course if these do not suit you then you can bring any piece of your work along providing it stays within the word limit.

After the disappointing attendance last time we are hoping to see a few more chairs filled this time. 

A sad note for some of us who have been interested and participated in MASH stories. It's the end of the line for the them unfortunately. Their team sent out a message that is reproduced in the next post down.

Hoping to see you all at Scribblers on Tuesday,

Until then,

Keep Scribbling!!!

End of the line

At Mash Stories, the day one competition ends is traditionally the same day the next one begins. On October 15, however, Mash Stories will close its digital doors. After one dozen competitions and 300 shortlisted stories(and counting), it's time for the Mash journey to come to an end. We hope you've learned as much from this talented, international community as we have. It truly feels like turning the last page on a long, intricate book in which we've been absorbed for years, and we've had the privilege of being characters, authors, and readers all at the same time. So, to answer some questions that are popping into your gorgeous minds: There's still one more winner to come, so take chicken, bathrobeand potato and craft them into the best gosh darn piece of flash you've ever written by 15 October.  The Mash Stories website along with all published stories and blog articles will stay online. You will still receive feedback on your submission. All Mash Club members will be reimbursed for any pre-paid quarters.  Don't unsubscribe! This newsletter will continue to send you new shortlisted stories and blog articles until the final winner is announced. I don't know about you, but we aim to cherish these final few weeks. Thanks for Mashing, Kate (yours truly since 2013) and the Mash Team

Meeting report

Minutes of Scribblers meeting held on Tuesday 20 September 2016

Present:  Dave, Mairead, Beryl, Liliane, Jim, Cathy
Apologies: Steve, Caz, Carolyn, Jane, Dick, Tony

Business:  
Our best wishes go to Dick, who is currently unwell.

We wish Barry good luck with his BA degree in History and English. Good luck also to Richard, who has begun his studies at UCS.

Dave raised the need to advertise for more members, as numbers generally are decreasing, due in part to some of our members starting university courses. He will arrange a press release to go to local papers.

An ex-Scribbler had sent details of a short story competition, details to be found athttp://www.commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/ 

Ed at the Ipswich Writer's Cafe says their next meeting will be on Monday 17th October at La Tour Cycle Cafe in Tower Street Ipswich. He has also given a list of some forthcoming events which will be posted on our weblog.

Despite being very low on numbers, the evening went well, (aided as ever by Mairead’s chocolatey treats!), and we had time to enjoy an impromptu flash fiction session as well as listening to readings of last time’s homework.

Readings:

Beryl: A resourceful woman – the story of Charlotte Badger

Dave: The Battle of Little Big Horn, Montana, 1876. (Custer’s Last Stand)  Fast rising George Armstrong Custer was a killer and apparent hater of Indians. He’d achieved acclaim in the Civil War but was given command of the 7^thCavalry. He slaughtered 140 Cheyenne at Washita, but mistakes against the Sioux at Little Big Horn cost him and his troops their lives. 

Mairead: The winter dig

Jim: The Great British HedgehogTelevision cameras have been following a young hedgehog called Spike for a week and he is now severely constipated.

Liliane: Stay near Tanjavur

Flash fiction: we had fifteen minutes to create a story with the words ghost, murder and minister in it. Unsurprisingly there were some rather grisly tales! We all agreed, though, that the challenge was enjoyable. Liliane in particular was inspired – two entire sides of A4 writing achieved, and she could have done more if we hadn’t reached the time limit – if only we could all match her output!

Next meeting: 4 October. Theme for 1000 word homework – choose between the topic ‘Election’, or the phrase ‘Where’s the fire extinguisher’, which is to be included somewhere in the work.

Commonwealth Writers Competition.

Our good ol' cobber from Down Under has emailed me the following:

"A writer mate of mine sent this to me in the off-chance it may interest me. I pass it on to you with the same sentiment. He added, ‘It’s free’. So maybe your scribblers will feel a challenge, and write a small masterpiece for the occasion, and walk off with some money. Good luck, and regards to all. Details of the competition can be found at the following link:

http://www.commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/ 

Chris. "

Now there's a golden opportunity not to be missed.!

Thanks Chris,

Dave and the Scribblers.