THE REVIEW

IN GOOD SPIRITS

Luke, Jason and Kay joined me last night for a spirited Meeting in spite of the pouring rain.

Luke’s good news is that he is being paid to write a short story that is based on a character’s phobia. The story will be included in an anthology. Congratulations!

And Jason’s good news was that Donald Maass invited him to submit his manuscript for “Provoked”, which is the first book in the series. At first Jason didn’t realise that being asked to submit it by email was now the norm for agents at the conference. But after reading the official program, he had an enlightening moment and is now working on his manuscript before sending it in. Again, Congratulations!

Unfortunately, Kay’s laptop died and so her writing is now by hand and of a lesser quantity for the time being. She did share with us the biblical definitions she would use for her book title of “Three White Knights”. Kay said she was now torn between writing the story as an academic piece or as fiction. Fiction would allow her to include more emotions and insights. An academic take would include more research, which she said she was finding difficult. Constantly reading about abuse victims and what they went through was causing too much anguish and depression. I told her she should let go of thinking she has to write this book to help others, because taking on that much pain of others can be too overwhelming, that Kay herself is the important one in this situation. On a lighter note, Kay went on to tell us about time spent on marketing aspects for her new publishing company; such things as stationery, colour scheme, logo and a possible charity for abused children. She said those things were making her happy.

Luke read the beginning of his new short story “A Toast To The Bride”, which is about a man with glossophobia, a fear of public speaking. The first scene of the story shows the man’s morning routine and though it is filled with detail, there was no indication anywhere of the conflict he is facing. I pointed that out and suggested he mention the conflict earlier in the story. A short story is basically a character with a want or need who faces an obstacle, which equals the conflict, and then sees resolution of some kind, positive or negative. Luke did give us a verbal run-down of the story’s main points and it promises to be spellbinding.

Kay gave me back my short story “The Stranger” which I had given her to read and which she said she couldn’t finish because she felt too much pain reading the beginning. I had told her to keep reading because it ended hopefully. Luke kindly read it aloud for all of us and because it included spiritual references and spiritual channelling that I said had really happened, we had a long discussion afterward about various religions and spiritual belief systems. Jason reminded me of a passage in his book where a character says seeking truth is for the young and the old, that those in between are too busy with the demands of daily living. We all admitted to having been seekers of life’s answers at some point.

Charity was unable to join us as her husband was working late. We missed her. And we missed Margaret, wherever she may be. Having fun, we hope.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, December 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. That will be our last meeting for this year, so really hope to see you then!

TONGUE IN CHEEK: Honey was moving stiffly and was rather lethargic one day, so I called him the Walking Dead. He said “Yes, and I’m looking for my soulless mate!”

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

AUTUMN RAINS

Four of us still had a Meeting of the Rams last night in spite of the pouring rain. Luke, Charity and Margaret F. all joined me to share our writing and some Halloween chocolate.

We started with a discussion about the Scrivener software for managing writing projects. Charity and Luke are both using it and find it very helpful. You can find a free download of a trial version online, or you can look to buy it on sale. I believe Luke said he was able to buy his for about $20.00.

Going first for a change, I read another ‘Honey’ story, “Five Star Day”. It was about Honey needing to find some purpose after he retired and his traveling to the cabin where fixing a leaky roof and replacing a chimney pipe claimed his attention.

Luke read a scene from his novel “The Heart Of The Earth” in which the character Goren is being tutored by Mose. He is trying to learn how to manipulate tension/energy fields in order to eventually be able to control another being. He was learning through trial and error, sometimes quite humorous. There was interesting interaction between these two characters.

Charity read her re-write of Chapter 1 from “Trixie Trouble”. Trixie, being escorted by Mrs. Fisher, is leaving the site of where her father was hung. As they reach Mrs. Fisher’s place, Trixie meets Donovan, a black boy she immediately dislikes. The two trade verbal insults and then Trixie attacks him. As the two are fighting, the Reverend, Donovan’s white father, separates them. This was a chapter that caught your attention and also shattered stereotypes about late 19th century Texas.

Margaret read a prose poem called “Infrastructure – Inquest Regarding the Death of Ross Allen”. It highlights the heartbreaking consequences of the community and the health care system failing to anticipate and prevent a teenage suicide, based on a true event. We all agreed this is a pertinent piece of writing that needs to be out in the public somewhere. It could be so advantageous for anyone who deals with young people to read.

Margaret Moffatt has an article about Carcross, Yukon in the November issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine.

Kay was feeling ill and unable to attend. And Jason said he and his family were just back from Disneyland so he was unable to attend. Hope to see them both next time. And I heard a rumor that Jason might have some news for us from his visit to the Surrey International Writers’ Conference. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author