JASON AND THE HAREM?
Jim was unable to attend the Meeting Wednesday, so that left Jason as the only man with a roomful of female writers. He didn’t seem to mind, though.
Anne Berrie had dropped off a box of dicta-typing equipment no longer used at her office, free to a good home. She was exhausted so wasn’t able to stay for the Meeting. There were three of us who each took a set of equipment for recording and then playback using a foot pedal. Julie took one set, Monica took another, and so did I. I think “Honey” can use it to record himself playing guitar and singing and then play it back to hear himself. Monica said she has a number of interviews to do and would use it for that purpose. Thanks to Anne for thinking of us.
I read first, another story from the “Honey” series. This one was “The Blob At Green Lake”, telling about our escapade with a king size waterbed mattress we took to Green Lake to use on the water for young people to jump onto. Everybody wanted to know if the story was true and Jason said my stories about Honey are an amazing tribute to him. Don’t know whether I should tell Honey that or not?
Ellie read from her young adult novel she has started, “Close To The Wind”. We see fifteen year old Jordie, with his dog and his Mom, going out to the oceanside to watch a ferocious storm. In sync with the anger of the storm, he’s raging at his missing father and dour prospects for the summer to come. There was a lot of poetic description of the storm from Jordie’s viewpoint, and some of us did tell Ellie that a teenaged boy probably wouldn’t attribute that much headspace to the sensual witnessing of the storm, that he would be more apt to express his anger in some form of physical action. So then Ellie was torn between re-writing to change Jordie’s experience in the storm, or make Jordie a female who would be more inclined to notice the storm that way, or change the beginning to someone else’s point of view entirely. And as is my habit, I chipped in that Ellie should pick one tense, past or present, and not switch back and forth. But we’re all rooting for Ellie as we know the story has a terrific plot-line that adventurous teens would really enjoy.
Monica read to us a speech she has written to deliver at a Toastmasters’ meeting on Tuesday. She stood before us and read “Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired”, where she told us about the debilitating effects of Lupus and how it can obliterate the desire to participate in even the mundane of daily living. It is a case of the body attacking itself, with recurring flares and remissions, and is found more in women than in men. With an emotional call to help with fundraising, Monica challenged her listeners by saying that they all know someone with Lupus, because she is someone who has it.
Wendy read Chapter 2 of her story, “A New Dawning”. She tells of middle-aged Sarah working part-time at a drugstore managed by her best friend. Diagnosed with breast cancer, her marriage ended; no career, only a part-time job, living on alimony, she breaks down and tells her friend, Anna, even though she hasn’t told any of her own family. Anna wants to treat her to a vacation before she has surgery, but Sarah resists. After visiting her doctor and knowing surgery is scheduled in two weeks, she decides to go on vacation by herself, which is a big decision for someone not used to taking control in her life.
Before Jason read, he pointed out to me he has numbered his pages and included the name of the novel at the top, and at the beginning of each chapter has noted the title and number of same. Then he read Chapter 13, “Meaning”, from his novel “Provoked”. Gregg and his Great Grandma arrive home from the cemetery where she found him naked in the grave. She questions him about what happened and who was there, and he questions her about what it all means. He is desperate to find Jodie. He tells Great Grandma that the man in black was after the Book of the Nornir, and she then tells Gregg she has something to show him at her house. Even though events have been strange and dangerous, we still see the humour and endearing humanity of the characters in this scene.
Lastly, I was able to read the next two chapters in Margaret Moffatt’s “Coffin And Dye”. In “Sunday”, we see Coffin unhappily sitting on a bench at St. Willen’s church in the early hours of Sunday morning. He is supposed to dig up the crypt to see if he can find out who is buried there. The cleaning chap sits down beside him and tells him the crypt is empty as the body that was supposed to be buried there had disappeared on a scow that floated out to sea instead of arriving there at the church. Then the cleaning chap says the name of the missing corpse was Thomas Turnkey. The man then leaves, walking right through the closed door of the church.
In “Arthur Sees Dr. Noah”, Tootsie and Trish take the dog, Arthur, to the pet psychiatrist, wanting a remedy for the dog’s foul flatulence. They think it’s caused by Arthur having chewed on an ancient skull. But Dr. Noah says it’s the women’s fault in how they named the dog. He says the dog is a female and should never have been called “Arthur”. Since Arthur wouldn’t let them check his/her nether regions, they decide to take the dog to Donny Coffin, sure that he would know.
Anne Berrie said her son was asking when “Coffin And Dye” would be available in book form. He so enjoyed “Blow Up The Castle” he wants the next set of Margaret’s stories to read. Nice that Margaret has a fan base!
Next Meeting will be Wednesday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. The time will have changed to daylight saving, and we should all be ready for Spring that day. Look forward to seeing you then!
Lisa
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
THE REVIEW
WRITERS’ DEN
My living room was full last night with eight writers gathered to read and discuss some of our recent drafts. Many thanks to all who attended. Monica Buchanan is a new face who joined us last night for the first time. And Michael Hiebert joined us again after a very long absence. He has moved to Chilliwack and so attendance has been difficult, for sure. Along with Michael were his girlfriend Shannon, and his son, Legend. It was nice to meet Shannon and amazing to see how much Legend has grown in three years. And Jim joined us again, back in good health we are glad to see.
Julie read her short personal piece “Peanut Butter And Jam”, a sensual account of making and eating toast with peanut butter and jam. It made us all hungry.
Wendy read a short piece called “Nightmares”. A woman is searching in a darkened cave for her “boy” and encounters fire. She awakes from the nightmare but then sees her dog has singed fur, and she knows he was with her in the dream.
Michael read from a new novel he has started that is based on an award winning short story he had written previously. It is called “Boy Alone” and is a daily summer journal assigned as homework to the 14 year old’s class. It is written in first person and provides a very strong voice for this young boy who complains about his single mother and her meds, and her boyfriend on crack, and not knowing his real father. We know the story will lead somewhere difficult.
Monica hopes to write a self-help book about abused girls growing up still silent about their suffering and having trouble finding and using their own voices. She read us a piece of analysis she hopes to include somewhere in the book. It alludes to her own past emotional abuse and has insight into how this impacts herself and others. She writes with a great deal of emotion about a life filled with lemons and no sugar to make lemonade, and of survivors of the suffering who become a group of living dead, that impacts the reader very strongly. We hope to see how the book develops.
Margaret Florczak read a poem of hers called “Personal Science” inspired by her mother suffering from and dying of alzheimer’s. The poem gave all the scientific explanations of how the disease shrivels the brain and destroys a life. Margaret is also self-publishing a book with Amazon called “Unforgiving” which is an autobiography of her own young life and the abuse she suffered.
Jason read the chapter “Consternation” from his novel. We see Gregg’s great grandmother, Iris, visiting the grave where Jody’s parents are buried. She remembers how she met them in a snowstorm. Breaking into her reveries is Gregg’s voice calling for Jody, and she finds Gregg naked, climbing out of an open grave. There was a little bit of humour in this chapter, which was sharp contrast to the grimness of previous chapters.
Jim read Chapter 12 of his second novel in the “Coventry Ghosts” series, and we see Sarah, the kitten ghost, getting frustrated at having to learn the alphabet and the vowels in order to learn to read. She invites Carly, her teacher, back to the coffee shop to visit with the other ghosts there. The judge informs everyone that Jason, the thief of ghost essences, has escaped from prison in Mexico. Jim has had an agent request to see the first 100 pages of “Coventry Ghosts”. We hope something comes of it for him.
I read another story from my “Honey” collection. This one is “It’s Honey’s Fault” and tells of all the household and technical difficulties over the past six weeks that prevented me from getting any writing done. My listeners laughed so that was a good way to end the evening.
I apologize to Margaret Moffatt that there wasn’t time to read the next two chapters of her “Coffin And Dye” series. Hopefully I can read them next time.
Ellie was unable to attend as she has a terrible cold and Anne Berrie said she will come to the next Meeting. We are still waiting to hear what happened at a court case she was attending last December.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Happy writing in the meantime!
Lisa
My living room was full last night with eight writers gathered to read and discuss some of our recent drafts. Many thanks to all who attended. Monica Buchanan is a new face who joined us last night for the first time. And Michael Hiebert joined us again after a very long absence. He has moved to Chilliwack and so attendance has been difficult, for sure. Along with Michael were his girlfriend Shannon, and his son, Legend. It was nice to meet Shannon and amazing to see how much Legend has grown in three years. And Jim joined us again, back in good health we are glad to see.
Julie read her short personal piece “Peanut Butter And Jam”, a sensual account of making and eating toast with peanut butter and jam. It made us all hungry.
Wendy read a short piece called “Nightmares”. A woman is searching in a darkened cave for her “boy” and encounters fire. She awakes from the nightmare but then sees her dog has singed fur, and she knows he was with her in the dream.
Michael read from a new novel he has started that is based on an award winning short story he had written previously. It is called “Boy Alone” and is a daily summer journal assigned as homework to the 14 year old’s class. It is written in first person and provides a very strong voice for this young boy who complains about his single mother and her meds, and her boyfriend on crack, and not knowing his real father. We know the story will lead somewhere difficult.
Monica hopes to write a self-help book about abused girls growing up still silent about their suffering and having trouble finding and using their own voices. She read us a piece of analysis she hopes to include somewhere in the book. It alludes to her own past emotional abuse and has insight into how this impacts herself and others. She writes with a great deal of emotion about a life filled with lemons and no sugar to make lemonade, and of survivors of the suffering who become a group of living dead, that impacts the reader very strongly. We hope to see how the book develops.
Margaret Florczak read a poem of hers called “Personal Science” inspired by her mother suffering from and dying of alzheimer’s. The poem gave all the scientific explanations of how the disease shrivels the brain and destroys a life. Margaret is also self-publishing a book with Amazon called “Unforgiving” which is an autobiography of her own young life and the abuse she suffered.
Jason read the chapter “Consternation” from his novel. We see Gregg’s great grandmother, Iris, visiting the grave where Jody’s parents are buried. She remembers how she met them in a snowstorm. Breaking into her reveries is Gregg’s voice calling for Jody, and she finds Gregg naked, climbing out of an open grave. There was a little bit of humour in this chapter, which was sharp contrast to the grimness of previous chapters.
Jim read Chapter 12 of his second novel in the “Coventry Ghosts” series, and we see Sarah, the kitten ghost, getting frustrated at having to learn the alphabet and the vowels in order to learn to read. She invites Carly, her teacher, back to the coffee shop to visit with the other ghosts there. The judge informs everyone that Jason, the thief of ghost essences, has escaped from prison in Mexico. Jim has had an agent request to see the first 100 pages of “Coventry Ghosts”. We hope something comes of it for him.
I read another story from my “Honey” collection. This one is “It’s Honey’s Fault” and tells of all the household and technical difficulties over the past six weeks that prevented me from getting any writing done. My listeners laughed so that was a good way to end the evening.
I apologize to Margaret Moffatt that there wasn’t time to read the next two chapters of her “Coffin And Dye” series. Hopefully I can read them next time.
Ellie was unable to attend as she has a terrible cold and Anne Berrie said she will come to the next Meeting. We are still waiting to hear what happened at a court case she was attending last December.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Happy writing in the meantime!
Lisa
Monday, January 9, 2012
THE REVIEW
EIGHTY-EIGHT!!!
Today is Margaret’s 88th birthday! Congratulations from all the Rams, Margaret!
Ellie and Jason joined me last Wednesday for a Meeting here in spite of the heavy rain and wind that night. Jim was still recovering from his surgery. He said he was going back to work today. Hope all is well. Wendy wasn’t well last week, either. Julie said she couldn’t make the Meeting. And sadly, Bob has said he’s lost interest in writing anything and will no longer be attending. We will miss him.
Jason read the next chapter, “Illusions”, where Gregg thinks he has died, but is phantasizing about Jody seducing him, which he thinks is real. Then the man in black attacks Jody and as they leave, Gregg wants to follow them. But his Auntie Samantha, who had died, appears and warns him that he will be dead if he doesn’t come with her, and that being tempted by Jody was just a trick by the man in black. Lots of sexual tension in this chapter that was very well done.
Ellie read us her poem about the Coati-Mundi, that she had submitted to the Canadian Poetry Institute and which has won 2nd place in their competition. The Coati-Mundi is a mischievous animal much like a raccoon that lives in Central America. Ellie wrote the poem to instruct young children about the animal, but also related the animal’s funny antics to give some homour to the rhyming verse.
Since I didn’t have any new writing of my own to read, I read two chapters of Margaret’s from “Cofin And Dye”. In the second half of “Goodbye Mr. Turnkey”, Coffin accidentally lets go of the wooden cart carrying Mr. Turnkey’s coffin, and the cart takes off down the hill. The coffin leaves the cart, turns over, and the remains of Mr. Turnkey fall into Slipper’s Creek. Coffin and the mourners following him, retrieve the coffin, put it on the cart, and proceed to the cemetery where Rev. Solace conducts the service and unknowingly buries an empty coffin.
In the next chapter, “Coffin Arrives Home”, Dye instructs Coffin to meet him and they go on to St. Willen’s Church on the Busby estate where a ghost in the crupt in the floor of the entrance appears every night and scares the cleaner. They are unable to keep a night cleaner and want the ghost eradicated. Dye tells Coffin he will have to dig up the tomb on Friday night and look for the metal plate that would identify who is buried there.
I apologize for this Review being so late, but I had a chance to have new kitchen countertops installed and that has been a lengthy process that kept me busy for several days.
Hope everyone is well, and busy writing a storm of words for 2012! Next Meeting will be Wednesday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Really, really hope to see you then!
Lisa
Today is Margaret’s 88th birthday! Congratulations from all the Rams, Margaret!
Ellie and Jason joined me last Wednesday for a Meeting here in spite of the heavy rain and wind that night. Jim was still recovering from his surgery. He said he was going back to work today. Hope all is well. Wendy wasn’t well last week, either. Julie said she couldn’t make the Meeting. And sadly, Bob has said he’s lost interest in writing anything and will no longer be attending. We will miss him.
Jason read the next chapter, “Illusions”, where Gregg thinks he has died, but is phantasizing about Jody seducing him, which he thinks is real. Then the man in black attacks Jody and as they leave, Gregg wants to follow them. But his Auntie Samantha, who had died, appears and warns him that he will be dead if he doesn’t come with her, and that being tempted by Jody was just a trick by the man in black. Lots of sexual tension in this chapter that was very well done.
Ellie read us her poem about the Coati-Mundi, that she had submitted to the Canadian Poetry Institute and which has won 2nd place in their competition. The Coati-Mundi is a mischievous animal much like a raccoon that lives in Central America. Ellie wrote the poem to instruct young children about the animal, but also related the animal’s funny antics to give some homour to the rhyming verse.
Since I didn’t have any new writing of my own to read, I read two chapters of Margaret’s from “Cofin And Dye”. In the second half of “Goodbye Mr. Turnkey”, Coffin accidentally lets go of the wooden cart carrying Mr. Turnkey’s coffin, and the cart takes off down the hill. The coffin leaves the cart, turns over, and the remains of Mr. Turnkey fall into Slipper’s Creek. Coffin and the mourners following him, retrieve the coffin, put it on the cart, and proceed to the cemetery where Rev. Solace conducts the service and unknowingly buries an empty coffin.
In the next chapter, “Coffin Arrives Home”, Dye instructs Coffin to meet him and they go on to St. Willen’s Church on the Busby estate where a ghost in the crupt in the floor of the entrance appears every night and scares the cleaner. They are unable to keep a night cleaner and want the ghost eradicated. Dye tells Coffin he will have to dig up the tomb on Friday night and look for the metal plate that would identify who is buried there.
I apologize for this Review being so late, but I had a chance to have new kitchen countertops installed and that has been a lengthy process that kept me busy for several days.
Hope everyone is well, and busy writing a storm of words for 2012! Next Meeting will be Wednesday, January 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Really, really hope to see you then!
Lisa
Friday, December 9, 2011
THE REVIEW
‘TIS THE SEASON
Seven Rams came together Wednesday to celebrate the Season in authorial fashion, with food and phraseology. Wendy, Julie, Jim, Bob, Ellie, and Jason all joined me, bringing snacks and some reading to savour.
Ellie brought a young adult novel she has started, urged on by the online writing course she has been taking. In the opening we see Jordy, who has lost his Dad, go outside with his mother and their Irish setter in a storm. They stand and watch the storm blow in from the ocean, each grieving their loss. When they return to the house, there is a power outage. We all liked this beginning and the promise of a good read it gave us.
Wendy now has five chapters in her story “A New Dawning”, about a middle aged woman being diagnosed with breast cancer. She is divorced and does not have a close relationship with her children. She goes into denial, refusing to tell anyone and not willing to think about anything to do with treatment. This is the beginning of her journey through self-discovery and toward changed relationships with her nearest and dearest.
I gave everyone a printed copy of my poem “The Ghost of Christmas”. It was first published in several newspapers in the mid 1980s and read on the radio by Roy Jacques at CKWX. In the past I had played the tape of him reading it each year, but no longer have a tape player, so I printed the poem and handed it out instead.
I also read aloud a letter I received with my copies of the anthology in which my piece “Freedom”, about a homeless man, was awarded an Honourable Mention. Out of 700 entries, mine was in the top thirteen. It was a very nice letter of congratulations, and my name appears on the book cover of the book as one of the authors.
Bob read more of his biography, spanning from 1938 to 1940. He starts school, and travels with his family to the San Francisco World’s Fair and then to Los Angeles to visit relatives. He heard a war had been started. And his stepsister, Mabel, died. This affected his stepmother greatly, and life was never the same after that.
Jason read his chapter “Reminiscence” where Jody is remembering Gregg’s kindness and understanding he gave her after the loss of her parents and over her injuries. Seeing him thrown into a grave at the cemetery, she assumes he is dead, as she is kidnapped by a figure that terrifies her.
In the December issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine, Margaret Moffatt has two pieces published. And her book “Blow Up The Castle” is now available at Coles in Langley (Willowbrook) and in Portland, Oregon. We ran out of time and I was unable to read Margaret’s latest chapter in “Coffin And Dye”. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to.
Scanning a list of authors in “Inkspots”, the anthology that has my story in it, I came across Gemma’s name. So there is also a story by Gemma Tamas in the same book. Congratulations, Gemma! We haven’t seen Gemma recently as she has been nursemaid to both her husband and her brother. We send our regards and wishes for the best.
Margaret Florczak recently moved and then learned her husband had to have by-pass surgery. So we send our best wishes there as well.
In spite of the world’s problems, our meeting was joyful, and at Christmas that is always a sign of hope and renewal. I wish to thank all those who brought snacks for us to eat, and their writing for us to enjoy. It is miraculous that people are so willing to share those heartfelt personal endeavors with us. Thank you for allowing us to savour the baking and for trusting us to hear or read your words.
Next Meeting will be in the New Year, Wednesday, January 4th, at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!
Lisa.
Seven Rams came together Wednesday to celebrate the Season in authorial fashion, with food and phraseology. Wendy, Julie, Jim, Bob, Ellie, and Jason all joined me, bringing snacks and some reading to savour.
Ellie brought a young adult novel she has started, urged on by the online writing course she has been taking. In the opening we see Jordy, who has lost his Dad, go outside with his mother and their Irish setter in a storm. They stand and watch the storm blow in from the ocean, each grieving their loss. When they return to the house, there is a power outage. We all liked this beginning and the promise of a good read it gave us.
Wendy now has five chapters in her story “A New Dawning”, about a middle aged woman being diagnosed with breast cancer. She is divorced and does not have a close relationship with her children. She goes into denial, refusing to tell anyone and not willing to think about anything to do with treatment. This is the beginning of her journey through self-discovery and toward changed relationships with her nearest and dearest.
I gave everyone a printed copy of my poem “The Ghost of Christmas”. It was first published in several newspapers in the mid 1980s and read on the radio by Roy Jacques at CKWX. In the past I had played the tape of him reading it each year, but no longer have a tape player, so I printed the poem and handed it out instead.
I also read aloud a letter I received with my copies of the anthology in which my piece “Freedom”, about a homeless man, was awarded an Honourable Mention. Out of 700 entries, mine was in the top thirteen. It was a very nice letter of congratulations, and my name appears on the book cover of the book as one of the authors.
Bob read more of his biography, spanning from 1938 to 1940. He starts school, and travels with his family to the San Francisco World’s Fair and then to Los Angeles to visit relatives. He heard a war had been started. And his stepsister, Mabel, died. This affected his stepmother greatly, and life was never the same after that.
Jason read his chapter “Reminiscence” where Jody is remembering Gregg’s kindness and understanding he gave her after the loss of her parents and over her injuries. Seeing him thrown into a grave at the cemetery, she assumes he is dead, as she is kidnapped by a figure that terrifies her.
In the December issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine, Margaret Moffatt has two pieces published. And her book “Blow Up The Castle” is now available at Coles in Langley (Willowbrook) and in Portland, Oregon. We ran out of time and I was unable to read Margaret’s latest chapter in “Coffin And Dye”. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to.
Scanning a list of authors in “Inkspots”, the anthology that has my story in it, I came across Gemma’s name. So there is also a story by Gemma Tamas in the same book. Congratulations, Gemma! We haven’t seen Gemma recently as she has been nursemaid to both her husband and her brother. We send our regards and wishes for the best.
Margaret Florczak recently moved and then learned her husband had to have by-pass surgery. So we send our best wishes there as well.
In spite of the world’s problems, our meeting was joyful, and at Christmas that is always a sign of hope and renewal. I wish to thank all those who brought snacks for us to eat, and their writing for us to enjoy. It is miraculous that people are so willing to share those heartfelt personal endeavors with us. Thank you for allowing us to savour the baking and for trusting us to hear or read your words.
Next Meeting will be in the New Year, Wednesday, January 4th, at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!
Lisa.
Friday, November 18, 2011
THE REVIEW
OCCUPY THE PAGE!
Yes! I’m all in favour of writers asserting their right to protest by using the written word to occupy the page. With a tarp of verbosity we will shelter all the homeless manuscripts addicted to their narcissism. We will insist on our democratic right to anarchy! We must be heard, but only by invitation issued to the press, and never off the recorded page! Now calling all Rams! OCCUPY THE PAGE! RESIST EVICTION! FOREVER THE PRINTED WORD!
Forgive me, but I couldn’t resist.
Had an awesome Meeting Wednesday. Anne, Julie, Bob, Jim and Jason joined me, in spite of the rain.
Anne updated us on the pending court case against a Strata Council and a Strata Manager who have been harassing a condominium owner. It goes to court Dec. 8th and we’re all waiting to hear the outcome. This is a true event on which Anne’s story is based.
I read my next chapter in “Nigel Wingate Is Dead” where Nigel meets with his friend who is a lawyer. He tells the friend about Dee and her drowning her child and then his being visited by the R.C.M.P. asking questions about it. He wants to protect Dee. But the friend informs him he could be charged with being an accessory after the fact, and that the only way he can avoid being compelled to testify against Dee if she is caught and tried is if he marries her.
Also, I was informed by Polar Expressions that my short story, about the homeless man in Langley, made Honourable Mention in their contest. That is a step up for me, as the last time I entered a story of mine, it was included in their anthology, but was not a winner.
Next I read Margaret’s “Goodbye Thomas Turnkey”. This chapter is the funeral of Mr. Turnkey where The Reverend now asserts his belief in ghosts, astounding everyone. He then tells Coffin, who he thinks is Bob, that his task is to pull a wagon with Turnkey’s coffin up the hill to reach the graveyard. Coffin asks why not drive it there in a hearse, and The Reverend tells him they can’t afford the hearse. He is left in the cold and the snow to pull the wagon.
Jason read his chapter “Revealed” where Gregg’s great grandmother decides to do some housecleaning and finds a key that leads to a secret cupboard in the cellar where she finds several containers that had belonged to Jody’s parents. She opens one and is amazed by a book that seems to be alive. She remembers Jody’s father saying that Jody must have this book, that it was the veiled story of them all.
Jim read his Ch. 11 that shows Sara teaching Karly how to maneuver as a ghost and Karly teaching Sara how to read. They seem to be developing a friendship, and Sara invites Karly to the coffee shop to meet the others.
Julie read a poem of hers titled “The Eyes”. Each sentence is an example of how the eyes mirror the soul in each of these varied life experiences. The poem includes some profound observations by the writer.
Bob had re-written some of his personal history. He is now telling the beginning years from the point of view of the young child, where he tells us his name is Bobby and his big brother is Alfie, and that he only remembers his mother once when they were having breakfast, and then the second time when he kissed her goodbye in the hospital.
Bob said he saw an article of Margaret’s in the November issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine. Regarding my novel “Fire”, I had been querying agents by email and was not at all sure my queries were being read. However, I recently received a rejection from one agent after waiting six months. So I suppose I could always receive an acceptance after waiting that long, too. Right?
Next Meeting will be Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place, weather permitting. That will be the only meeting in December, so if you want to make it our Christmas celebration and bring a snack or something festive, by all means do so. Julie had asked me if she could bring something.
Hope to see you December 7th, and in the meantime OCCUPY THE PAGE!
Yes! I’m all in favour of writers asserting their right to protest by using the written word to occupy the page. With a tarp of verbosity we will shelter all the homeless manuscripts addicted to their narcissism. We will insist on our democratic right to anarchy! We must be heard, but only by invitation issued to the press, and never off the recorded page! Now calling all Rams! OCCUPY THE PAGE! RESIST EVICTION! FOREVER THE PRINTED WORD!
Forgive me, but I couldn’t resist.
Had an awesome Meeting Wednesday. Anne, Julie, Bob, Jim and Jason joined me, in spite of the rain.
Anne updated us on the pending court case against a Strata Council and a Strata Manager who have been harassing a condominium owner. It goes to court Dec. 8th and we’re all waiting to hear the outcome. This is a true event on which Anne’s story is based.
I read my next chapter in “Nigel Wingate Is Dead” where Nigel meets with his friend who is a lawyer. He tells the friend about Dee and her drowning her child and then his being visited by the R.C.M.P. asking questions about it. He wants to protect Dee. But the friend informs him he could be charged with being an accessory after the fact, and that the only way he can avoid being compelled to testify against Dee if she is caught and tried is if he marries her.
Also, I was informed by Polar Expressions that my short story, about the homeless man in Langley, made Honourable Mention in their contest. That is a step up for me, as the last time I entered a story of mine, it was included in their anthology, but was not a winner.
Next I read Margaret’s “Goodbye Thomas Turnkey”. This chapter is the funeral of Mr. Turnkey where The Reverend now asserts his belief in ghosts, astounding everyone. He then tells Coffin, who he thinks is Bob, that his task is to pull a wagon with Turnkey’s coffin up the hill to reach the graveyard. Coffin asks why not drive it there in a hearse, and The Reverend tells him they can’t afford the hearse. He is left in the cold and the snow to pull the wagon.
Jason read his chapter “Revealed” where Gregg’s great grandmother decides to do some housecleaning and finds a key that leads to a secret cupboard in the cellar where she finds several containers that had belonged to Jody’s parents. She opens one and is amazed by a book that seems to be alive. She remembers Jody’s father saying that Jody must have this book, that it was the veiled story of them all.
Jim read his Ch. 11 that shows Sara teaching Karly how to maneuver as a ghost and Karly teaching Sara how to read. They seem to be developing a friendship, and Sara invites Karly to the coffee shop to meet the others.
Julie read a poem of hers titled “The Eyes”. Each sentence is an example of how the eyes mirror the soul in each of these varied life experiences. The poem includes some profound observations by the writer.
Bob had re-written some of his personal history. He is now telling the beginning years from the point of view of the young child, where he tells us his name is Bobby and his big brother is Alfie, and that he only remembers his mother once when they were having breakfast, and then the second time when he kissed her goodbye in the hospital.
Bob said he saw an article of Margaret’s in the November issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine. Regarding my novel “Fire”, I had been querying agents by email and was not at all sure my queries were being read. However, I recently received a rejection from one agent after waiting six months. So I suppose I could always receive an acceptance after waiting that long, too. Right?
Next Meeting will be Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place, weather permitting. That will be the only meeting in December, so if you want to make it our Christmas celebration and bring a snack or something festive, by all means do so. Julie had asked me if she could bring something.
Hope to see you December 7th, and in the meantime OCCUPY THE PAGE!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
THE REVIEW
INVASION OF BLONDS
Three lovely blonds livened things at our Meeting last night. Along with Ellie, two new members, Wendy Francis and Julie Joseph, joined me and Bob and Jim and Jason. It was a busy night with lots of reading.
Jason started, reading his chapter “Taken”, which was full of intensity and some violence. Gregg is trying to protect Jody from Damian and Ligeia. Damien is capturing Jody while Ligeia torments Gregg with some sexual teasing. Damien tells her to kill him, but when she doesn’t, he tells her to watch Jody while he kills Gregg. The chapter ends with Gregg unconscious, or dead. We don’t know which yet, just that he is aware of only nothingness.
Jim read Chapter 10 of the second book in “Coventry Ghosts” with the kitten, Sara, feeling less self-confident because she can’t read. She really wants to learn to read. Instead of going with the other ghosts to learn about the pyramids, she ‘pops’ over to the library, where she meets up with another female ghost, Karly. Karly tells Sara she cannot leave her library haunt, because that’s the rule. But Sara tells her that’s not so, and has Jane Seymour’s ghost come and verify the fact. Jane then tells Karly to trust Sara.
Wendy read three of her poems, all very succinct. “Love On The Edge” showed that even though a love relationship started feeling wonderful it ended up smothering the recipient. “Owner Cat” showed how an independent cat owned the owner by becoming the faithful companion. “Love Sonnet” showed the memory of a great love, done in a Shakespearean vein.
Jason read Julie’s story “The Lost Keys of 2011”. This was a humorous account of when Julie lost her house keys while walking her dog and then the trauma of searching through park garbage containers looking for them and then finally finding them the next day while zigzagging back and forth across the vast expanse of lawn in the park at her husband’s direction while he stood on the sidewalk. Very funny.
I read Margaret’s “Coffin Leaves Polly’s”, where Coffin is back in the village of Salsbury but can’t find his bicycle. Going into the church he sees the reverend with Turnkey’s casket. Addressing the reverend’s back, he doesn’t get an answer, and the reverend thinks he’s hearing a ghost. Mrs. Willows asks Coffin in for a Scotch before church. Mr. Farmer arrives with a sprained arm and he cannot help the reverend with Turnkey’s funeral. The reverend arrives, and thinking Coffin is Bob Baker, he thinks the man can take Farmer’s place and help with the funeral. Coffin agrees to help, hoping he will be able to find his bicycle.
I read my Ch. 6 of “Nigel Wingate Is Dead”, where Nigel is back home, alone, in the West End when he is visited by the RCMP asking all sorts of questions about the death of DeeDee’s child. Trying to protect Dee, he sees the police are suspecting him in the child’s death. He calls a former schoolmate who is a lawyer.
Anne Berrie is still busy helping her sister, and Gemma said she will be unable to attend until maybe in the New Year. Margaret Florczak tried to attend last night but couldn’t find the house without Gemma. She now has the address and phone number and directions and says she’ll be here next Meeting.
Our next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then.
Lisa
Three lovely blonds livened things at our Meeting last night. Along with Ellie, two new members, Wendy Francis and Julie Joseph, joined me and Bob and Jim and Jason. It was a busy night with lots of reading.
Jason started, reading his chapter “Taken”, which was full of intensity and some violence. Gregg is trying to protect Jody from Damian and Ligeia. Damien is capturing Jody while Ligeia torments Gregg with some sexual teasing. Damien tells her to kill him, but when she doesn’t, he tells her to watch Jody while he kills Gregg. The chapter ends with Gregg unconscious, or dead. We don’t know which yet, just that he is aware of only nothingness.
Jim read Chapter 10 of the second book in “Coventry Ghosts” with the kitten, Sara, feeling less self-confident because she can’t read. She really wants to learn to read. Instead of going with the other ghosts to learn about the pyramids, she ‘pops’ over to the library, where she meets up with another female ghost, Karly. Karly tells Sara she cannot leave her library haunt, because that’s the rule. But Sara tells her that’s not so, and has Jane Seymour’s ghost come and verify the fact. Jane then tells Karly to trust Sara.
Wendy read three of her poems, all very succinct. “Love On The Edge” showed that even though a love relationship started feeling wonderful it ended up smothering the recipient. “Owner Cat” showed how an independent cat owned the owner by becoming the faithful companion. “Love Sonnet” showed the memory of a great love, done in a Shakespearean vein.
Jason read Julie’s story “The Lost Keys of 2011”. This was a humorous account of when Julie lost her house keys while walking her dog and then the trauma of searching through park garbage containers looking for them and then finally finding them the next day while zigzagging back and forth across the vast expanse of lawn in the park at her husband’s direction while he stood on the sidewalk. Very funny.
I read Margaret’s “Coffin Leaves Polly’s”, where Coffin is back in the village of Salsbury but can’t find his bicycle. Going into the church he sees the reverend with Turnkey’s casket. Addressing the reverend’s back, he doesn’t get an answer, and the reverend thinks he’s hearing a ghost. Mrs. Willows asks Coffin in for a Scotch before church. Mr. Farmer arrives with a sprained arm and he cannot help the reverend with Turnkey’s funeral. The reverend arrives, and thinking Coffin is Bob Baker, he thinks the man can take Farmer’s place and help with the funeral. Coffin agrees to help, hoping he will be able to find his bicycle.
I read my Ch. 6 of “Nigel Wingate Is Dead”, where Nigel is back home, alone, in the West End when he is visited by the RCMP asking all sorts of questions about the death of DeeDee’s child. Trying to protect Dee, he sees the police are suspecting him in the child’s death. He calls a former schoolmate who is a lawyer.
Anne Berrie is still busy helping her sister, and Gemma said she will be unable to attend until maybe in the New Year. Margaret Florczak tried to attend last night but couldn’t find the house without Gemma. She now has the address and phone number and directions and says she’ll be here next Meeting.
Our next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then.
Lisa
Friday, October 21, 2011
THE REVIEW
FALLEN LEAVES
Jim, Jason and Bob joined me on Wednesday for our Meeting. Anne was busy helping her sister. Ellie had hurt her shoulder and was advised to rest and relax. And Gemma was unable to attend as well.
Jason read first from his novel “Provoked”. He had a short chapter called “Examining” which saw Gregg staying up through the night to keep watch for the two weirdos he had seen earlier. His brother, Dave, woke up and wanted to know what Gregg was doing and then threatened to level Gregg if he didn’t go to bed. The dialogue between the brothers was realistic and portrayed the sibling dynamics that are fairly universal.
I read “Deposition For Separate Bedrooms”, a short piece that I had rewritten to make it fit my “Honey” collection of humorous stories. In it I recount all the annoyances of listening to Honey from when he rises very early until he leaves for work, a noisy production he uses to protest my still being in bed.
Margaret had sent her next chapter of “The Village Of Salsbury Mourns Again”. Reverend Solace was awakened at 4:00 in the morning by Mrs. Willows. When he opened the door he saw a crowd around the drain Coffin had “fallen” in. Wondering if Coffin had turned into a ghost, he asked Mrs. Willows what happened. She told him Mr. Turnkey was found face down on the ground, staring into the drain. When the Reverend asked about Mr. Turnkey’s welfare, Mrs. Willows informs him Mr. Turnkey was no longer alive.
Jim read Chapter 9, and we learn that Cheri is facing bankruptcy due to her husband’s gambling debts and repairing the damage to the coffee shop that had been caused by the ghosts. She informs Leanne and ghostly company that she will have to sell the coffee shop. They are alarmed and start making plans for fundraising. They invite Cheri into ghostdom to hear their suggestions and we learn they want to throw parties where only ghosts do the serving. Cheri says she doesn’t have the money to start another business and.Leanne thinks maybe her Mom and Dad could invest and become partners with Cheri.
Bob read from his personal history and we heard about major changes in his life in 1947. His father was not well, and his parents were moving. They decided to send Bob to live with his stepsister, Edna, and her husband, Jim, in Amherstburg, Ontario. He traveled alone by bus to Seattle, then east to Chicago and Detroit, and then back into Canada to Windsor and his final destination. He was given chores to do on the farm, tending the chickens and the roosters. But Jim was no farmer and kept the chickens and roosters separate, so there were never any eggs. Bob was roped into helping construct the new house and found the hard physical labour very taxing. He was lonely and never made any friends there, but he did acquire a new red bike.
Today the rain is pouring, the leaves are falling, and I’ve spotted giant mushrooms growing in our lawn. Fall is flourishing. Perfect excuse to stay indoors and write.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
Jim, Jason and Bob joined me on Wednesday for our Meeting. Anne was busy helping her sister. Ellie had hurt her shoulder and was advised to rest and relax. And Gemma was unable to attend as well.
Jason read first from his novel “Provoked”. He had a short chapter called “Examining” which saw Gregg staying up through the night to keep watch for the two weirdos he had seen earlier. His brother, Dave, woke up and wanted to know what Gregg was doing and then threatened to level Gregg if he didn’t go to bed. The dialogue between the brothers was realistic and portrayed the sibling dynamics that are fairly universal.
I read “Deposition For Separate Bedrooms”, a short piece that I had rewritten to make it fit my “Honey” collection of humorous stories. In it I recount all the annoyances of listening to Honey from when he rises very early until he leaves for work, a noisy production he uses to protest my still being in bed.
Margaret had sent her next chapter of “The Village Of Salsbury Mourns Again”. Reverend Solace was awakened at 4:00 in the morning by Mrs. Willows. When he opened the door he saw a crowd around the drain Coffin had “fallen” in. Wondering if Coffin had turned into a ghost, he asked Mrs. Willows what happened. She told him Mr. Turnkey was found face down on the ground, staring into the drain. When the Reverend asked about Mr. Turnkey’s welfare, Mrs. Willows informs him Mr. Turnkey was no longer alive.
Jim read Chapter 9, and we learn that Cheri is facing bankruptcy due to her husband’s gambling debts and repairing the damage to the coffee shop that had been caused by the ghosts. She informs Leanne and ghostly company that she will have to sell the coffee shop. They are alarmed and start making plans for fundraising. They invite Cheri into ghostdom to hear their suggestions and we learn they want to throw parties where only ghosts do the serving. Cheri says she doesn’t have the money to start another business and.Leanne thinks maybe her Mom and Dad could invest and become partners with Cheri.
Bob read from his personal history and we heard about major changes in his life in 1947. His father was not well, and his parents were moving. They decided to send Bob to live with his stepsister, Edna, and her husband, Jim, in Amherstburg, Ontario. He traveled alone by bus to Seattle, then east to Chicago and Detroit, and then back into Canada to Windsor and his final destination. He was given chores to do on the farm, tending the chickens and the roosters. But Jim was no farmer and kept the chickens and roosters separate, so there were never any eggs. Bob was roped into helping construct the new house and found the hard physical labour very taxing. He was lonely and never made any friends there, but he did acquire a new red bike.
Today the rain is pouring, the leaves are falling, and I’ve spotted giant mushrooms growing in our lawn. Fall is flourishing. Perfect excuse to stay indoors and write.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
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