THE REVIEW

MIXED GENRES

Wednesday’s Meeting saw a mixture of genres on display. There was Charity’s young adult western, Margaret’s crime memoir, my senior’s memoir as a ‘Honey’ story, Jason’s fantasy, and Luke’s fantasy. The fantasies probably have sub-genres, but this writer doesn’t know what they are.

Luke won the prize for best piece of writing from the previous week.

Margaret said she had attended a writers’ conference at Crescent Beach put on by the Federation of B.C. Writers. She said she was surprised at all the specific writing techniques that were discussed compared to other conferences that have dealt only in generalities that aren’t very helpful to someone wanting to hone their craft. Margaret said she would let us all know the next time one of their conferences is offered.

Luke read first, the beginning of another fantasy called “Debt Of Blood”. This shows the young female character Akoni sweating in a suit of armor as she tries climbing a massive staircase on a hot day. She is tracking a dreaded warrior whom she wants to apprehend in order to be accepted by her father and brother in their league of paladins. This beginning was very attention grabbing and is a good start for his novel.

Charity read next from “Trixie Trouble”. She has lost a lot of money she doesn’t have and downs some brandy to give her courage. When Brett Marley tells her he’ll make her a woman and she’s his girl, she knocks him over and then also escapes from two other men trying to grab her. She leaves the bard as a fire starts, and steals a horse, trying to leave town. But the horse throws her and then the figure of Donovan, the preacher’s son, appears and starts cursing her. This was a chapter full of action and it was fun just listening to it.

Jason read the next chapter from his novel. The Nobella hold Kwen accountable for the loss of four Herodun and discount her attempt to spare Damianos from the torture they plan for him. She is torn between wanting to save Damianos and wanting to adhere to the teachings of her tribe. When she does question the Nobella, she is warned her fate could be the same as her grandfather’s, who was killed as a traitor. She is told to keep Damianos alive during the torture, and to tell them any secrets revealed. The tension was building in this chapter.

Margaret read Chapter 10 from “Babes In The Wood”. Finally Detective Ingram gives her the number for Sgt. Honeyburn, in charge of unsolved cases. She seeks her husband’s advice on how to ask Honeyburn to see the murder file for the Babes. He tells her not to ask directly, but to stroke the man’s ego by asking to interview him instead. She meets him in the fall, after five years of questioning, and is very nervous. Consequently she is very inept as an interviewer and Honeyburn just gives her the file to read. This chapter was full of personal insight into Margaret and her marriage and her struggle with Asperger’s. It was very brave writing about her vulnerabilities, and this personal account riveted our attention.

Lastly, I read a ‘Honey’ story called “Nostalgia”. It’s about the two of us spending one New Year’s Eve listening to old records and recalling our favourites through the years, as well as favourites of older generations. The story ended with me going to bed before midnight. Luke and Charity both said they could sense the seniors in this story. Margaret asked me to specify more songs from the different albums mentioned. And Charity said contrary to my assumption about her generation, she did, indeed, own a record player.

Kay said she couldn’t attend on Wednesday as she was going away. And Annette said something came up at the last minute that prevented her from attending. We missed them both.

We had some discussion about taking a summer break, and decided we will still have the two meetings in July, but will break during August.

So, the next Meeting will be Wednesday, July 6th, at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then, and please bring your vote for best piece of writing presented at the last Meeting. And Happy Canada Day in the meantime!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

SUMMER’S COMING

There was a lively Meeting here on Wednesday when Jason, Annette, Luke, Kay and Margaret F. joined me in honour of our Muse.

We started by voting for the best presentation from the last Meeting, and Annette won and chose a book from our prize box. A couple of people asked if they can contribute anything to the box, and of course I said yes, donations are welcome.

Annette read first, another story she wrote for her Bardic circle called “Protect Your Sons and Daughters”. It exhorts those listening to make sure their offspring are not enticed by the Selkie fold who would lure them into love and lust, and then forsake them. This spoke of mythical tales from out of the past.

Luke read the next scene in his novel which shows Dalin explaining to the General and the gathered command about the hole in their plans. He tells them they would be attacked from above, out of the rocks, if they try to move through a narrow gap. He says their army would be split in two with no way to regroup. The General agrees there is a problem and they need to make changes immediately. This chapter held our attention and we definitely want to know what ensues.

Kay gave us the plot outline for her play, which she was calling “Northwest Of Sixty”. In a culture that does not allow divorce, the wife will be tried for adultery. Through the introduction of characters, the wife’s trial, and the reaction of the general public, Kay hopes to portray society’s biases and bigotry that are never acknowledged publicly. We had lots of fun discussing this topic and look forward to hearing the play.

Margaret read Chapter 9 from “Babes In The Wood” where Margaret wants info directly from the police on this case, but doesn’t know how to proceed. Then her husband, Chris, meets a cop who offers to put her in touch with the cop in charge of cold cases, but that cop is unable to make the arranged appointment. Months go by where she researches Clifford Olsen who lured his victims by offering them work, and left their bodies in wooded areas similar to the victims in Stanley Park. Then one day her husband comes home and gives her the private number of Detective Ingram. I enjoyed the personal aspects of this chapter where she described the climate of Vancouver, and the interactions she had with her husband. Jason was strongly encouraging Margaret to intersperse her recounting of her research with various fictional stories of how the murders might have happened.

Jason read his next chapter, a riveting account of Damianos reviving and raging that he knows what’s happening, and he seems to be talking to an unseen presence. He tells Kwen he can find the secret in the jungle before her people do, and before the dragon comes to consume them all. It was good to see Damianos regain his driving force even while amid these giants.

I read last, a ‘Honey’ story called “It’s Honey’s Fault”. This is where I blame Honey because I didn’t get any writing done over one Christmas season due to a number of episodes dealing with errant electronics such as a VCR/DVD player, Bryon’s computer, a new robotic vacuum, an MP3 player and stereo system, and our TV. And all this during Christmas and then while a new kitchen countertop was being installed. But in the end I did admit life with Honey was more compelling than a blank page sometimes.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Please bring your vote for the best presentation from this last meeting. And we should discuss whether or not we want to take a break of some kind over the summer months this year. I look forward to seeing you on the 15th.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author