THE REVIEW

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

At our Meeting on Wednesday, Margaret F. and I were joined by our two new members, Chris Potter and Charity Gosling. With just the four of us present, we were able to spend some time getting to know each other and exchange information on our writing pasts as well as our goals. Chris has an extensive background in writing and making a living at it, at newspapers, magazines and as a freelance writer. Charity has written a number of novels, YA urban fantasy and one western, and also writes a regular online column, for pay. We are impressed by both these ladies.

Charity read first from a YA modern horror book she has started called “Saltwater Mermaids”. It is set on Hornby Island and starts as a first person narrative by a female teenager. She describes the gathering of unusual people in her grandfather’s home, and tells of the mythical witch in the harbour. And she gives a haunting description of the local setting. We hope to hear more of what happens in this story. Charity said it will be the first time she has tried writing instinctively, without following a previously constructed outline.

Chris read next, a story titled “Sam Rickl”, which she wants to include in the memoir she is writing about fascinating people she has met around the world. This story tells of Sam being an elder in the Amish community of Lancashire County, Pennsylvania. Chris gave us lots of detail about their customs and way of life, but after her reading of it, she thought she needed to tell more about the people rather than just facts about the way they live. Having written for many years to specific word counts and as a journalist giving facts, it is a new way of writing for Chris.

Margaret read Chapter 3 from her “Babes In The Wood”. This chapter shows her going home after visiting the exhibit on the unsolved murder and having seen children’s bones strapped to the wall as if they were just artifacts. She discusses the case and all her questions with her husband, Chris, as he makes soup the reader can almost taste. He eventually tells her emphatically she is the one who should be asking questions and getting people wanting answers so authorities would again actively work on the case. Margaret has definitely found her voice for writing this book and it is fascinating to hear each chapter.

After Margaret mentioned the importance of setting writing goals at the previous Meeting, I decided I would get busy and work on my collection of stories in “Honey Signed The Waiver” and have set a goal of re-writing and editing at least one story each week. So at this most recent Meeting, I read the first story, “The Best Thing”, about meeting Bryon and deciding he was the best thing that ever happened to me. We all laughed and I had to wipe away tears to keep reading, so I hope that means it meets the test for humour.

Charity had asked how the Ram’s came up with their name (The Ram’s Head Writers’ Group) and had thought it might have some mystical or mythical meaning behind it. She was disappointed when I pointed out the brass talking stick with the blue ram’s head on top and explained what it was. So, if anyone wants a writing prompt, maybe you could come up with a more inspiring story on how we assumed our auspicious moniker?

Annette was away, caring for her mother. Kristie had to attend parent/teacher night at her children’s school. Jason had no babysitter. And Lorelie had a cold and wasn’t well. We missed all of them.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. I do hope to see you then.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author