THE REVIEW

FORBIDDEN SOCIAL CLUB

Six of us gathered last night completely devoted to the craft of writing.  After some general discussion, we thought we would try staying focussed on writing from the beginning of the meeting and leave socializing till the end. This is so we can devote ourselves more assiduously to mastering the technicalities of writing instead of learning more about people, of whom we write. I guess we need more ‘how’ and less ‘why’ in our writing. (This is all reported with tongue in cheek. Please laugh with me.)

Ellie read first, a rewrite of a story she has titled “Date Webs”, and which she has entered in the CBC fiction contest. It is the story of a couple’s first date at a French bistro, where the woman is trying to be seductive. Over dinner there is mutual attraction, but the spell is broken by the appearance of a dead fly on her lip from the wine she was drinking. But even though she’s tipsy, the evening progresses and she wakes up in his arms the next morning.

Jim read Chapter 36 of his Book II of “Coventry Ghosts”. We see Sara and Moog and Shei get into a ghost battle outside CIA headquarters with the Umbra. Then Sara and Shei proceed to the library to finish collecting information on Jason Jones and Yoon Lee Dongpang. Jim thought this chapter was rather long, and we agreed he could split it in two.

Annette read to us the continuation of her story “A Taste Of Wormwood”. We see Alyssa 8 years later, obviously still alive, but living secretively under an assumed name in a bachelor suite. She’s hiding from George, who had hired the hit man to kill her when she dumped him as a boyfriend. One evening she sees someone suspicious outside on the street who is then killed by a man she recognises as George. Terrified he will find her, the runs and then we see her living in a shelter in a new town, with a new name, going for a job interview. This is a captivating mystery and we all want to know more of past circumstances as well as what will happen next.

Jason read Chapter 2 in the sequel to “Provoked”. We see Jody tormented by dreams of the past as well as the painful scars on her back. She lives with her adoptive father, who is very concerned about her well-being, and afraid she could become very depressed and suicidal. He wants her to out to dinner with him for her birthday, but she refuses. He’s jealous though that she’s going out on a lunchtime picnic with Gregg. He agrees they can stay home and order pizza, but only if she promises their time together won’t be interrupted by Gregg.

I read next, my re-write of “The Making Of A Soldier”, which I will enter in the CBC non-fiction contest. This had been on hold with The Legion Magazine for two years. They had hoped to be able to publish it, but since it was a little out of the ordinary for them, they finally admitted they couldn’t find the space for it.

I shared with those present my list of books on writing that I possess. I did an inventory and have about 78 books, and said I was willing to lend them out to anyone interested.

Wendy was present last night, but didn’t read. However, her insights into the social aspect of meetings was valued. Lorelie emailed to say she wasn’t well enough to attend last night.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 20th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Looking forward to seeing you then.

LISA A. HATTON
Author
Published eBooks available at Kobo Books:
FIRE:
http://kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9780991739615
LOVE FOUND:
http://kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9780991739608