Thursday, February 6, 2014

THE REVIEW

PITCH PERFECT

Wendy, Jim, Kristi, Jason, Ellie and Annette all joined me last night in spite of the arctic chill outside. Marcela said she had to work last night and Leah was going to attend another writing group.

Margaret Moffatt had an article on the history of Kaslo published in the February issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine. Bryon had enjoyed reading it as he had worked there for B.C. Hydro when he first finished school.

There was a notice I read in the Langley Times about an open mic starting on Tuesday, Feb. 18th at Frosting Cupcakery at 20411 Fraser Hwy. from 6:00 till 8:00 p.m. It will happen every second Tuesday afterwards and musicians, artists and writers are invited to perform. Great opportunity for writers to practise public readings.

Jasaon read first as he really wanted help with a pitch he’s trying to write for his novel “Provoked”. He gave us all a copy and of it and we went through it line by line, giving our suggestions to clarify and condense it, as there is a strict word limit. I did ask Jason for a copy of the final version he decides to use, as this was already the fourth one I had seen.

Annette read next, her Chapter 4 in the story she’s writing about Alyssa. In this chapter she returns to John and Carrie’s home, having decided she would accept their offer to live with them and care for Carrie. On arrival, she meets Carrie’s trainer, whom she distrusts. Upon seeing Carrie alone in the pool, Alyssa has her own panic attack over being in water and almost faints. She is rescued by John, whom she informs that Carrie has a serious crush on her trainer. She also tells him if she is going to stay, she has some conditions and she needs to tell him everything. Good build-up of the story here with lots of potential for further drama.

I read my latest ‘Honey’ story, “Don’t Rock The Boat”, about an adventure at Kelowna on a houseboat when the barbecue caught fire and the police boat approached and those smoking marijuana had to dispose of same rather quickly. Thus ended the party to watch Canada Day fireworks from the houseboat.

Kristi read the next chapter in “Jane And The Midnight Daisies”. After being bullied by Sean, she is returning home in the pouring rain and getting soaked. Mr. Jackson and his son, Davy, stop as they pass her and Davy wraps his large coat around her and hugs her. He has also been bullied by the townspeople as he seldom speaks. When Jane arrives home she doesn’t tell her Grandmother what happened. Nice introduction of new characters.

Ellie read two poems. The first was “The Pheasant” and describes how the bird sneaks and hides to avoid the pointer. It is a game between hunter and prey. The second poem was “The Black Lab Pup”, a rhyming story about picking a pup from a litter and knowing it will be the pick of the litter eventually.

Jim read Chapter 41 of “Coventy Ghosts – Book II”. Sara tries to stop the bleeding in the shoulder of the woman she and Joel had rescued. She minimizes herself and travels inside the woman’s body to stop the bleeding by repairing the torn artery. Then the woman needs water so Sara appears to a shopkeeper as a deity, and he willingly supplies her with all the water she needs. Then the woman they saved need antibiotics, and Joel goes to get them, but Sara feels the need to both watch the woman and protect Joel, so she enters the Aeris. I love learning about all the fascinating abilities that the kitten ghost Sara has.

As I’m having surgery soon, the next Meeting probably won’t be until the beginning of April, depending on my rate of recovery. I will definitely email everyone when I can host a Meeting again. Until then, be sure to do lots of writing as I will be so eager to hear everyone’s efforts. In the meantime, Happy Family Day, Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and Happy Daylight Savings Time!

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