GENERATION X
Had a great turnout for the Meeting on Wednesday. Shannon, Jason, Luke, Guy, Charity and Kay all joined me in honour of The Muse. Guy is my generation, but everyone else is much younger and the difference in age and experience was brought home to me three times. Once was when I said my favourite author, Stuart McLean had passed away, and somebody didn’t know who that was or what the Vinyl Café was. Then Guy and I mentioned the book “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and we were the only two who knew about its importance in ‘sex education’ during our formative years. And then I read a “Honey” story about a birthday lunch at the Seniors’ Center, and everyone looked blank and politely refrained from comment. Too funny. I am just so thankful to see the younger generation is interested in writing and storytelling and hope they find The Rams a comfortable place to share their musings, in spite of my elderly presence.
Guy read first, a short piece that is the beginning of a biography about George. He is a young man in the 1950’s who is trying to figure out where he belongs in the world and what he should be doing with his life. We asked Guy if he could add some more detail to the story to better inform the reader of its setting and of George’s thoughts and feelings at the time.
Kay is working on a movie script about a Canadian girl and her misfortunate trip abroad. She explained to us how the story plot has to have precise timing in order to fit the parameters of a movie.
Luke read his next scene where Dalin is taken before the General and they discuss his possible punishment. But then the General says Dalin was right, that there was a spy. That’s a wonderful hook to end the scene, or chapter.
Shannon told us she produces a comic strip with her husband. She writes the story, and he does the graphics. They post a new episode online each week and have about 80,000 followers. It’s about a 30 year old male and his dog, trying to make his way in the world.
Charity read the next chapter from “Trixie Trouble”, and we see her in the hot barn during the church service, with all the sinners from the night before. Donovan tells her that her debt has been paid, that she is safe. Then Fat Marley announces he has absolved all gambling debts and hands out leaflets saying he is running for mayor. Trixie turns and runs out of the church for her own salvation.
I read “The Birthday Gift”, about Honey taking me to the Seniors’ Center for lunch on my 62nd birthday, and realizing I was still pretty young in comparison to other attendees.
Jason said he had contacted Good Reads and asked some beta readers to read “Provoked” and give him some reviews. He had been going to read us one or more, but the conversation segued into Jason saying he is going to leave writing for the time being and move on to other things in his life. On leaving the Meeting, he told me he will let me know any time he plans to attend any Meeting in the future. We all wish Jason well and will miss him greatly.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, March 1st, at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. And may the vault of your inspiration be unlocked and open wide for you.
TONGUE IN CHEEK: What did the thesaurus eat for breakfast? A synonym roll.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Thursday, February 2, 2017
THE REVIEW
STAY HEALTHY!
Luke, Charity, Kay and new member Guy, joined me last night for our Meeting even though three of us were not feeling very well. Jason said he was spending the evening celebrating his wife’s birthday.
Guy asked how the group functioned in our Meetings, and what was expected. So I read a story of mine called “Predator and Prey” about a woman calling to ask about the group, but who was very sarcastic and nasty with her comments and then hung up on me after I explained we were mostly a support group and not a writing class. We learn from each other.
Then Guy mentioned the comments I had made to him about his character Ursula, a waitress in a bar, in his short story that I had read. I had said I could see where she was encouraging George as a suitor, but then pushing him away, more than once. Upon later reflection, I said I thought that could be typical behavior of a waitress in a bar, who is flirtatious with male patrons who could be big tippers, but not wanting a relationship with them otherwise. Guy also said he needs to change the ending of his story, to make it have a bigger impact.
Kay told us about thoroughly enjoying the screenwriter’s workshop she attended last weekend in Vancouver. It was very informative about story structure for screenplays, and how they differ from novels. She learned about all the rights the author signs away when selling a screenplay, and the possibility it might never be produced. But she was also given a list of contacts to sell a screenplay. She said she loved this form of writing and thought she had found her niche.
Charity read from “Trixie Trouble” and we see her on Sunday morning, in her room at Mrs. Fisher’s. Not wanting to face going to church, she sips some brandy. But Mrs. Fisher brings her a cup of coffee and helps her get ready for breakfast and church. As she heads to church in her bonnet and new shiny shoes, she still has the bottle of brandy in her pocket.
Luke read the next scene of Dalin locked in the wagon in camp. He’s stiff and sore after a long and painful night, and then endures the hot and sticky day. He hears the sounds of war as the wagon moves in starts and stops, through the pass and then enters the broad valley. Still locked in the wagon, he realizes he had been terribly wrong about what he thought would happen.
In honour of Valentine’s Day, I read first a poem that asks Bryon if he will be my valentine, written in 1994. Then I read a short prose piece demonstrating how we still hunger for each other’s smile after more than twenty years together.
Margaret Moffatt had an article about the history of Sandon, B.C. in the February issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine. Margaret’s been battling ill health and may no longer be writing her historical articles. We wish her all the best.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Stay healthy and keep on writing!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Luke, Charity, Kay and new member Guy, joined me last night for our Meeting even though three of us were not feeling very well. Jason said he was spending the evening celebrating his wife’s birthday.
Guy asked how the group functioned in our Meetings, and what was expected. So I read a story of mine called “Predator and Prey” about a woman calling to ask about the group, but who was very sarcastic and nasty with her comments and then hung up on me after I explained we were mostly a support group and not a writing class. We learn from each other.
Then Guy mentioned the comments I had made to him about his character Ursula, a waitress in a bar, in his short story that I had read. I had said I could see where she was encouraging George as a suitor, but then pushing him away, more than once. Upon later reflection, I said I thought that could be typical behavior of a waitress in a bar, who is flirtatious with male patrons who could be big tippers, but not wanting a relationship with them otherwise. Guy also said he needs to change the ending of his story, to make it have a bigger impact.
Kay told us about thoroughly enjoying the screenwriter’s workshop she attended last weekend in Vancouver. It was very informative about story structure for screenplays, and how they differ from novels. She learned about all the rights the author signs away when selling a screenplay, and the possibility it might never be produced. But she was also given a list of contacts to sell a screenplay. She said she loved this form of writing and thought she had found her niche.
Charity read from “Trixie Trouble” and we see her on Sunday morning, in her room at Mrs. Fisher’s. Not wanting to face going to church, she sips some brandy. But Mrs. Fisher brings her a cup of coffee and helps her get ready for breakfast and church. As she heads to church in her bonnet and new shiny shoes, she still has the bottle of brandy in her pocket.
Luke read the next scene of Dalin locked in the wagon in camp. He’s stiff and sore after a long and painful night, and then endures the hot and sticky day. He hears the sounds of war as the wagon moves in starts and stops, through the pass and then enters the broad valley. Still locked in the wagon, he realizes he had been terribly wrong about what he thought would happen.
In honour of Valentine’s Day, I read first a poem that asks Bryon if he will be my valentine, written in 1994. Then I read a short prose piece demonstrating how we still hunger for each other’s smile after more than twenty years together.
Margaret Moffatt had an article about the history of Sandon, B.C. in the February issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine. Margaret’s been battling ill health and may no longer be writing her historical articles. We wish her all the best.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Stay healthy and keep on writing!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
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