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