THE UN-REVIEW?
The past several meetings have not materialized, so it is a little difficult to send out a Review to keep members updated. Meetings were cancelled when main participants were away or had other reasons for not attending. However, I’m still hopeful that the group will continue and so I keep scheduling meetings anyhow. The next meeting is set for Thursday, October 16th at 7:00 p.m. at my place.
Margaret has had a short story accepted by the Poetry Institute of Canada for inclusion in an anthology. I’ve had one story accepted by them as well. They do not pay for submissions, but neither do we pay for entry in their “contest”. However, we are invited to purchase the anthology. Which, when you think of it, is no different than giving your writing to a non-paying newspaper or magazine and then buying that same issue that you are published in. Anything to say and prove we’re published, right?
Marilyn had an article (or story?) published in the September issue of Senior Newsmagazine. I haven’t seen it, but thanks to a tip from Carolann, I’m hoping Marilyn was able to get a copy of that issue for her own collection of tear sheets.
Saturday, I attended the used book sale at the Fraser Valley Regional Library in Langley City. As well as a number of paperback novels, I bought two reference books. One is “Amateur Detectives: a writer’s guide to how private citizens solve criminal cases”. The other is “2008 Martin’s Annual Criminal Code – Canada Law Book”. The law book has some fascinating information and even though it is very dry reading, it does give the definitions of crimes and the range of sentencing for same. Both these books have lots of incredible background for writers of crime/mystery stories, if anyone is looking for that sort of knowledge. The book sale continues until October 11th.
That’s all the current news I have for this week. Hope you’re still writing and would love to see you and your Muse on the 16th. Happy Thanksgiving in the meantime.
Lisa
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
THE REVIEW
TO SWEAR OR NOT TO SWEAR?
Bob and Margaret faithfully came for a meeting Thursday night. They both had something they had written to read.
Margaret brought a copy of the September issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine, which had published a compilation of James Moffatt’s anecdotes about being a conductor with B.C. Electric. Jim was Margaret’s late husband. The piece was called “B.C. Tram Memories”.
Bob brought along a booklet entitled “Windows To Our Past” which was a small pictorial history of B.C. Interesting photos to look at.
Bob read about Hawken & Company. He told about the younger brother, Roy, who started as a delivery boy and told Bob one of his jobs each morning was to go to three places and get the day’s take for Sam Albert. Those were places of prostitution. The three Hawken brothers manufactured jewellery and did repair work when they had their own business.
Margaret read two chapters from the Peabody collection. Rev. Percy Teasdale invites Marie to Jasper’s 50th birthday party, but she declines. At the party, Jasper’s Aunt Hester and Uncle Hedley announce that Jasper is engaged to Marigold. Jasper is expecting a Jewish wedding ceremony, and Marigold is expecting an Anglican one. In the next chapter, Rev. Peacock listens as Marigold (who is his housekeeper) comes in late. He has to get up and light the morning fire as she sleeeps in. When she does get up, she flashes her engagement ring at him. But he thinks she’s going to marry Rev. Peabody. Then Peacock and Teasdale decide they have to verify who she is actually engaged to and they decide Peacock, dressed in disguise, will follow her when she leaves the house.
I read Chapter 11 from my novel, where Fiona meets Detective Verttersly, who is upset that his car, which he had parked on the roadway inside the complex, has gone missing. In this chapter I had him use the word “hell” three times. Bob insists no policeman would swear like that. And I think otherwise, especially since his car, owned by the police department, was impounded by Fiona. Does anyone else have any insights on this? To swear or not to swear?
You will be glad to know that Sonny, our website administrator, is on his way home to Kingston from Afghanistan for a two week leave. Their first child is due any day, so we are all hoping he will be there for the happy event, before he heads back to Afghanistan till his next leave in January.
Next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. Hope you can attend and bring a Muse, yours or anyone else’s. Any Muse will do.
Lisa
Bob and Margaret faithfully came for a meeting Thursday night. They both had something they had written to read.
Margaret brought a copy of the September issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine, which had published a compilation of James Moffatt’s anecdotes about being a conductor with B.C. Electric. Jim was Margaret’s late husband. The piece was called “B.C. Tram Memories”.
Bob brought along a booklet entitled “Windows To Our Past” which was a small pictorial history of B.C. Interesting photos to look at.
Bob read about Hawken & Company. He told about the younger brother, Roy, who started as a delivery boy and told Bob one of his jobs each morning was to go to three places and get the day’s take for Sam Albert. Those were places of prostitution. The three Hawken brothers manufactured jewellery and did repair work when they had their own business.
Margaret read two chapters from the Peabody collection. Rev. Percy Teasdale invites Marie to Jasper’s 50th birthday party, but she declines. At the party, Jasper’s Aunt Hester and Uncle Hedley announce that Jasper is engaged to Marigold. Jasper is expecting a Jewish wedding ceremony, and Marigold is expecting an Anglican one. In the next chapter, Rev. Peacock listens as Marigold (who is his housekeeper) comes in late. He has to get up and light the morning fire as she sleeeps in. When she does get up, she flashes her engagement ring at him. But he thinks she’s going to marry Rev. Peabody. Then Peacock and Teasdale decide they have to verify who she is actually engaged to and they decide Peacock, dressed in disguise, will follow her when she leaves the house.
I read Chapter 11 from my novel, where Fiona meets Detective Verttersly, who is upset that his car, which he had parked on the roadway inside the complex, has gone missing. In this chapter I had him use the word “hell” three times. Bob insists no policeman would swear like that. And I think otherwise, especially since his car, owned by the police department, was impounded by Fiona. Does anyone else have any insights on this? To swear or not to swear?
You will be glad to know that Sonny, our website administrator, is on his way home to Kingston from Afghanistan for a two week leave. Their first child is due any day, so we are all hoping he will be there for the happy event, before he heads back to Afghanistan till his next leave in January.
Next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, September 18th at 7:00 p.m. Hope you can attend and bring a Muse, yours or anyone else’s. Any Muse will do.
Lisa
Sunday, August 24, 2008
THE REVIEW
THE LEGEND
Thursday’s meeting was so much fun. Michael has his car back on the road, so he attended and brought his 15-month old son, Legend. He is such a cutie, but was a little apprehensive of strangers and stuck very close to his Daddy.
Bob read first about a family-run jewellery manufacturing business I’m not going to name because Bob said the only gossip he could come up with about them was that the grandson was an a--. And he couldn’t put that into his accounting of their business to liven it up.
Michael brought a short story collection which included one of his stories. The book was put together by friends of Jay, who was battling cancer. Michael’s story was “Off-Season at Jay Lake”, where the narrator is observing strange insects and creatures at Jay Lake. But when Michael started reading, Legend started competing with his own story-telling in a language we didn’t understand. The louder Michael talked, the louder Legend talked. Michael handed the story to me to finish reading, but that didn’t stop Legend. He is definitely going to upstage all of us. He’s already a storyteller.
Margaret read about Marigold enjoying dinner with Jasper at the hotel after the play. Even though he’s almost 50, Jasper is now contemplating marriage in order to inherit from his Uncle. He invites Marigold to his 50th birthday party at his Aunt and Uncle’s. In the meantime, Marie has contacted Percy Teasdale, a relative of Rev. Peabody, and he asks her to go to the party with him.
Marilyn wrote a story on Mario’s ongoing life saga which she read to family and friends when they were recently celebrating Mario’s 75h birthday. Hope she comes sometime to a meeting and reads it to us.
Margaret had been looking for a box for her manuscript, and I picked one up for her at Packaging Depot (on 200th by Logan) for $1.67. If anybody needs one, that’s where to look. And Margaret has a Laser cartridge free for the asking. It is compatible with Samsung ML-4500. Also, this is the week to re-stock your home office. Just about everything is on sale for students right now, so load up on paper, pens, notebooks, dictionaries, etc. And then write, write, write!
Next meeting is here at my place on Thursday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
Thursday’s meeting was so much fun. Michael has his car back on the road, so he attended and brought his 15-month old son, Legend. He is such a cutie, but was a little apprehensive of strangers and stuck very close to his Daddy.
Bob read first about a family-run jewellery manufacturing business I’m not going to name because Bob said the only gossip he could come up with about them was that the grandson was an a--. And he couldn’t put that into his accounting of their business to liven it up.
Michael brought a short story collection which included one of his stories. The book was put together by friends of Jay, who was battling cancer. Michael’s story was “Off-Season at Jay Lake”, where the narrator is observing strange insects and creatures at Jay Lake. But when Michael started reading, Legend started competing with his own story-telling in a language we didn’t understand. The louder Michael talked, the louder Legend talked. Michael handed the story to me to finish reading, but that didn’t stop Legend. He is definitely going to upstage all of us. He’s already a storyteller.
Margaret read about Marigold enjoying dinner with Jasper at the hotel after the play. Even though he’s almost 50, Jasper is now contemplating marriage in order to inherit from his Uncle. He invites Marigold to his 50th birthday party at his Aunt and Uncle’s. In the meantime, Marie has contacted Percy Teasdale, a relative of Rev. Peabody, and he asks her to go to the party with him.
Marilyn wrote a story on Mario’s ongoing life saga which she read to family and friends when they were recently celebrating Mario’s 75h birthday. Hope she comes sometime to a meeting and reads it to us.
Margaret had been looking for a box for her manuscript, and I picked one up for her at Packaging Depot (on 200th by Logan) for $1.67. If anybody needs one, that’s where to look. And Margaret has a Laser cartridge free for the asking. It is compatible with Samsung ML-4500. Also, this is the week to re-stock your home office. Just about everything is on sale for students right now, so load up on paper, pens, notebooks, dictionaries, etc. And then write, write, write!
Next meeting is here at my place on Thursday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
Sunday, August 10, 2008
THE REVIEW
HISTORY LESSON
Bob and Margaret showed up faithfully Thursday night in spite of the heat wave. He brought a number of 3-ring binders he gave to me and Margaret, and some magazines I will send to some soldiers.
Margaret said she was writing an article about the Wigwam Inn at the north end of Indian Arm. Bob brought in a map to show her its location. Margaret and I both remembered visiting the Wigwam when it served as a tea room, a day trip by boat up the Arm. Bob remembered there being a bar in the basement, and a bartender who drank all the leftover dregs from visitors’ glasses. He said it was also a cat house in its timel. He thinks it is now owned by a yacht club.
Many thanks to Susan for all the lovely pictures she sent showing scenes from their holiday on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Ann spent some time in Gimli, Manitoba, connecting with family she had never met and learning more of her Icelandic heritage.
Margaret read first, “Marigold’s Date”. To thank her for the ride to the stag party, Rev. Peabody was taking Marigold to a play in London. She had to buy new clothes for this overnight trip with the man she hoped to marry. She bought traveling clothes, evening dress, and brand new undergarments. But then Peabody was asked to do a eulogy at a funeral, so he told Marigold he would meet her in London. She traveled alone, and he arrived late and then took her to a lowly restaurant for dinner instead of to the hotel dining room. They attended a risqué play about Adam and Eve, and Peabody said he couldn’t stay to continue watching, especially after Eve made a remark to Adam when he dropped his leaf that he had neither of his nethers. Then Marigold learns Peabody isn’t even staying at the same hotel as her. She’s affronted, but stays to watch the play. And then Jasper, who had sold her the new clothes, takes the empty seat beside her.
I read Chapters 9 and 10 from my novel, where Fiona meets with the Fire Chief and then has the Detective’s car towed off site, thinking it is an errant visitor parking in the roadway. And Cam is at home and tries coping with the family that is burned out of their Unit, and then a resident Fiona had just fined, as well as the Detective wanting to know where his car is.
After reading the submission information to the Poetry Institute’s creative writing contest that Margaret had forwarded, I submitted 3 entries. Deadline is August 11th, and today is the 10th.
Next meeting is here at my place on Thursday, August 21st, at 7:00 p.m. Hope your Muse will bring you along that evening.
Lisa
Bob and Margaret showed up faithfully Thursday night in spite of the heat wave. He brought a number of 3-ring binders he gave to me and Margaret, and some magazines I will send to some soldiers.
Margaret said she was writing an article about the Wigwam Inn at the north end of Indian Arm. Bob brought in a map to show her its location. Margaret and I both remembered visiting the Wigwam when it served as a tea room, a day trip by boat up the Arm. Bob remembered there being a bar in the basement, and a bartender who drank all the leftover dregs from visitors’ glasses. He said it was also a cat house in its timel. He thinks it is now owned by a yacht club.
Many thanks to Susan for all the lovely pictures she sent showing scenes from their holiday on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Ann spent some time in Gimli, Manitoba, connecting with family she had never met and learning more of her Icelandic heritage.
Margaret read first, “Marigold’s Date”. To thank her for the ride to the stag party, Rev. Peabody was taking Marigold to a play in London. She had to buy new clothes for this overnight trip with the man she hoped to marry. She bought traveling clothes, evening dress, and brand new undergarments. But then Peabody was asked to do a eulogy at a funeral, so he told Marigold he would meet her in London. She traveled alone, and he arrived late and then took her to a lowly restaurant for dinner instead of to the hotel dining room. They attended a risqué play about Adam and Eve, and Peabody said he couldn’t stay to continue watching, especially after Eve made a remark to Adam when he dropped his leaf that he had neither of his nethers. Then Marigold learns Peabody isn’t even staying at the same hotel as her. She’s affronted, but stays to watch the play. And then Jasper, who had sold her the new clothes, takes the empty seat beside her.
I read Chapters 9 and 10 from my novel, where Fiona meets with the Fire Chief and then has the Detective’s car towed off site, thinking it is an errant visitor parking in the roadway. And Cam is at home and tries coping with the family that is burned out of their Unit, and then a resident Fiona had just fined, as well as the Detective wanting to know where his car is.
After reading the submission information to the Poetry Institute’s creative writing contest that Margaret had forwarded, I submitted 3 entries. Deadline is August 11th, and today is the 10th.
Next meeting is here at my place on Thursday, August 21st, at 7:00 p.m. Hope your Muse will bring you along that evening.
Lisa
Sunday, July 20, 2008
THE RAM'S HEAD REVIEW
SUMMER AT LAST!
Hello fellow Rams. Gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Finally. The trip Bryon and I made to the Okanagan was a lot of fun. A daytrip to Vernon while up there saw us at an independent bookstore on the main drag. Interesting to see what interests the local population. The two largest sections were automotive and cooking. I asked to be directed to the section on writing, and it consisted mostly of dictionaries. The only book connected at all to the writing field was “Get Published” by Meg Schneider and Barbara Doyen published by Adams Media. Not quite finished reading it, but it has a lot of pertinent information on what to do after you’ve finished writing an article, short story, novel or non-fiction book.
Bob and Margaret joined me here on Thursday to appease The Muse. Bob still hasn’t done any writing but had brought a number of magazines for Margaret. However, I asked a favour of them: I asked to keep about five mags to forward to some of our soldiers in Afghanistan who never receive any mail at all. Two of the National Geographic issues have articles about issues in Afghanistan, so they are especially appropriate. Thanks Bob and Margaret.
Bob also brought a pile of piano sheet music to give to Margaret, who now wants to get her piano tuned. She hadn’t played at all since her husband passed away.
Margaret showed us an article from a 1939 Star Weekly (Toronto Star) that she had saved about the clans of Scotland. She also had a book she used for research, “Tartans And Highland Dress”. Then she read to us “The Reverend’s Kilt” from her Peabody collection. Peabody was going to a stag party for the innkeeper that was being held at the Duke of Marsh’s residence and he had to wear a kilt, which he was very reluctant to do. He went shopping and was told if he’s not a member of a clan, he should wear a Jacobite or Caledonian tartan, but Peabody thought them too colourful. When the tailor learned he was a Reverend, he showed Peabody the dull grey clergy tartan, and matching shorts to wear underneath. Peabody purchased the outfit and left in trepidation as he would have to ride his bicycle to the event.
Then Margaret read the next chapter, “Malcolm, Where’s Your Trousers?”. Peabody dressed in the clergy kilt and shorts, and left for the stag. He planned to walk and then catch a taxi. Marie saw him walking away, and he appeared to be dressed only in a hat and overcoat. She phoned Peasly, who tried phoning Peacock but got Marigold first. She listened to their conversation and decided to go searching for Peabody to rescue him. Meanwhile, Peacock phoned the police. But Marigold found Peabody and offered him a ride to the stag and they had a good laugh about the predicament, and foiling the police search.
The next chapter was “Rev. Peabody Reflects”. After the stag, he was home and remembered the Duke showing him some art he bought, “The Last Supper”, painted by Marie. He recalls the debacle of mistaken art that had become “The Last Slipper” instead. Peabody went to bed and Marie cleaned up after him. She found a slip of paper with Teasdale’s address.
I read Chapter 8 of my novel, which sees Cam at home the next morning after the fire. His Mom is out, the ringing doorbell gets him out of bed. It’s Detective Vettersly, looking for his Mom, and he leaves his card. Then Cam’s friend Miles shows up and the two boys discuss their Moms, their girlfriends, over breakfast, and we see the common circumstances in their lives that are part of their friendship. They then make plans for the rest of the day.
Gemma’s husband, Laszlo, is home recovering after his surgery. Lynette and her family are off to Europe next month for her son’s wedding. Marilyn is super busy with the ham radio and community policing activities she is involved in.
Many thanks to those who have volunteered to write or send parcels to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan who have received no mail. It is appreciated by both me and Sonny. Caring about these people as individuals in a difficult situation does not automatically translate into an endorsement or promotion of war, only compassion for other human beings. Thanks for letting your heart take precedence.
Next meeting here at my place, Thursday, August 7th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then, and Happy Writing in the meantime!
Lisa
Hello fellow Rams. Gorgeous weather we’ve been having. Finally. The trip Bryon and I made to the Okanagan was a lot of fun. A daytrip to Vernon while up there saw us at an independent bookstore on the main drag. Interesting to see what interests the local population. The two largest sections were automotive and cooking. I asked to be directed to the section on writing, and it consisted mostly of dictionaries. The only book connected at all to the writing field was “Get Published” by Meg Schneider and Barbara Doyen published by Adams Media. Not quite finished reading it, but it has a lot of pertinent information on what to do after you’ve finished writing an article, short story, novel or non-fiction book.
Bob and Margaret joined me here on Thursday to appease The Muse. Bob still hasn’t done any writing but had brought a number of magazines for Margaret. However, I asked a favour of them: I asked to keep about five mags to forward to some of our soldiers in Afghanistan who never receive any mail at all. Two of the National Geographic issues have articles about issues in Afghanistan, so they are especially appropriate. Thanks Bob and Margaret.
Bob also brought a pile of piano sheet music to give to Margaret, who now wants to get her piano tuned. She hadn’t played at all since her husband passed away.
Margaret showed us an article from a 1939 Star Weekly (Toronto Star) that she had saved about the clans of Scotland. She also had a book she used for research, “Tartans And Highland Dress”. Then she read to us “The Reverend’s Kilt” from her Peabody collection. Peabody was going to a stag party for the innkeeper that was being held at the Duke of Marsh’s residence and he had to wear a kilt, which he was very reluctant to do. He went shopping and was told if he’s not a member of a clan, he should wear a Jacobite or Caledonian tartan, but Peabody thought them too colourful. When the tailor learned he was a Reverend, he showed Peabody the dull grey clergy tartan, and matching shorts to wear underneath. Peabody purchased the outfit and left in trepidation as he would have to ride his bicycle to the event.
Then Margaret read the next chapter, “Malcolm, Where’s Your Trousers?”. Peabody dressed in the clergy kilt and shorts, and left for the stag. He planned to walk and then catch a taxi. Marie saw him walking away, and he appeared to be dressed only in a hat and overcoat. She phoned Peasly, who tried phoning Peacock but got Marigold first. She listened to their conversation and decided to go searching for Peabody to rescue him. Meanwhile, Peacock phoned the police. But Marigold found Peabody and offered him a ride to the stag and they had a good laugh about the predicament, and foiling the police search.
The next chapter was “Rev. Peabody Reflects”. After the stag, he was home and remembered the Duke showing him some art he bought, “The Last Supper”, painted by Marie. He recalls the debacle of mistaken art that had become “The Last Slipper” instead. Peabody went to bed and Marie cleaned up after him. She found a slip of paper with Teasdale’s address.
I read Chapter 8 of my novel, which sees Cam at home the next morning after the fire. His Mom is out, the ringing doorbell gets him out of bed. It’s Detective Vettersly, looking for his Mom, and he leaves his card. Then Cam’s friend Miles shows up and the two boys discuss their Moms, their girlfriends, over breakfast, and we see the common circumstances in their lives that are part of their friendship. They then make plans for the rest of the day.
Gemma’s husband, Laszlo, is home recovering after his surgery. Lynette and her family are off to Europe next month for her son’s wedding. Marilyn is super busy with the ham radio and community policing activities she is involved in.
Many thanks to those who have volunteered to write or send parcels to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan who have received no mail. It is appreciated by both me and Sonny. Caring about these people as individuals in a difficult situation does not automatically translate into an endorsement or promotion of war, only compassion for other human beings. Thanks for letting your heart take precedence.
Next meeting here at my place, Thursday, August 7th at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then, and Happy Writing in the meantime!
Lisa
Sunday, June 22, 2008
THE RAM'S HEAD REVIEW
JUNE BLOSSOMS
Four of us gathered Thursday to honour The Muse. Gemma was finally able to join us again, and it was so wonderful to see her.
Bob had a wedding picture of his son Rob who tied the knot in Paris. The picture was included with a wedding invitation for their second wedding here at home. Interesting. Would that be called double jeopardy?
Bob said he also sent a long piece of snail mail to Sonny. If anyone else wants to send an ordinary piece of mail to Sonny while he’s in Afghanistan, let me know and I will give you the mailing address. Letters can go postage free, but postage on parcels has to be paid as far as Belleville, Ontario, from where the military picks up mail and forwards it.
Gemma brought me a gift of a salt crystal candle. She said it’s supposed to aid concentration and to use it by my computer when I’m writing. Will give it a try.
Gemma read first, a short story about her younger sister, Zsuzsa. As a youngster in post-war Hungary, she was caught charging candy to her mother’s grocery account at the store. As a young woman, she married a Frenchman. Faced with an empty nest years later, she applied to go to a nursing school when her older husband was retiring. When asked why she wanted to go into nursing, she said it was to save her marriage. Gemma plans to send this piece to Seniors Newsmagazine, so if anyone sees it, be sure to tell me.
Margaret read of Peabody getting a phone call from Marigold, who was so upset he was going to marry Marie. With both women wanting him, he was having nightmares and headaches. He gave the solitaire ring back to the innkeeper, who had entrusted Peabody with its safekeeping for him. The innkeeper told Peabody not to bother telling either Marigold or Marie about his intentions. But then Peabody started to think that maybe he should take a wife after all.
First I read the winner of the writing prompt in Writers’ Digest, a short story called “All Star Dinner”. It was a sad commentary on a mother’s grief after the loss of her son. Then I read chapters 6 and 7 from my novel. Margaret said she finds it interesting and she always wants to know what’s going to happen next. And Bob said it reads much better now than the first time around.
Next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, July 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
Four of us gathered Thursday to honour The Muse. Gemma was finally able to join us again, and it was so wonderful to see her.
Bob had a wedding picture of his son Rob who tied the knot in Paris. The picture was included with a wedding invitation for their second wedding here at home. Interesting. Would that be called double jeopardy?
Bob said he also sent a long piece of snail mail to Sonny. If anyone else wants to send an ordinary piece of mail to Sonny while he’s in Afghanistan, let me know and I will give you the mailing address. Letters can go postage free, but postage on parcels has to be paid as far as Belleville, Ontario, from where the military picks up mail and forwards it.
Gemma brought me a gift of a salt crystal candle. She said it’s supposed to aid concentration and to use it by my computer when I’m writing. Will give it a try.
Gemma read first, a short story about her younger sister, Zsuzsa. As a youngster in post-war Hungary, she was caught charging candy to her mother’s grocery account at the store. As a young woman, she married a Frenchman. Faced with an empty nest years later, she applied to go to a nursing school when her older husband was retiring. When asked why she wanted to go into nursing, she said it was to save her marriage. Gemma plans to send this piece to Seniors Newsmagazine, so if anyone sees it, be sure to tell me.
Margaret read of Peabody getting a phone call from Marigold, who was so upset he was going to marry Marie. With both women wanting him, he was having nightmares and headaches. He gave the solitaire ring back to the innkeeper, who had entrusted Peabody with its safekeeping for him. The innkeeper told Peabody not to bother telling either Marigold or Marie about his intentions. But then Peabody started to think that maybe he should take a wife after all.
First I read the winner of the writing prompt in Writers’ Digest, a short story called “All Star Dinner”. It was a sad commentary on a mother’s grief after the loss of her son. Then I read chapters 6 and 7 from my novel. Margaret said she finds it interesting and she always wants to know what’s going to happen next. And Bob said it reads much better now than the first time around.
Next meeting will be here at my place on Thursday, July 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Hope to see you then.
Lisa
Saturday, June 7, 2008
THE RAM'S HEAD REVIEW
SOGGY JUNE
The cold and wet weather notwithstanding, Bob and Margaret joined me Thursday night for a meeting. Bob brought a book for Gemma, “Lonesome”, which is a first person dog story set in B.C. But Gemma has to come to a meeting to get it. I’ll have to write a story about blackmail sometime.
Bob brought along his story “Going Downtown”, which he had asked Susan to critique. She had made some changes, maybe not understanding he had written this piece first person from his experience as a five year old. We suggested Bob do some re-writing and clarify for the reader right at the beginning that the narrator is a five year old male child, so that following observations make sense to the reader.
Margaret had another Peabody story, “Mr. Lamb’s Still”, and she had drawings of a still to show us. As she read, we heard of Peasly, Peacock and Mr. Lamb planning a party to celebrate Peabody’s engagement to Marie, but without actually mentioning the engagement. The party took place at Mr. Lamb’s home, with the overproof spirits from his still as the main refreshment. Peabody enjoyed the party and all the congratulations, even when he won a dart game, but still didn’t know everybody thought he was going to marry Marie.
I read chapters 3 – 5 in my novel, mostly dealing with the scene of the second fire in the strata complex that Fiona manages, and giving background information. Bob said it reads much better than he had remembered it and Margaret did feel the suspense as I was reading. So there you go, it probably works better as a whole story than just single chapter selections. Continuity may be important in reading a novel.
I sent an update on The Ram’s Head listing to Lois Peterson. LPWordsolutions gives a listing of writing groups in the Lower Mainland, as does the website for The Federation of B.C. Writers, the latter updated by Sylvia Taylor. Lois and Sylvia are both creative writing teachers based in Surrey.
Next meeting here at my place Thursday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we would love to see you.
Lisa
The cold and wet weather notwithstanding, Bob and Margaret joined me Thursday night for a meeting. Bob brought a book for Gemma, “Lonesome”, which is a first person dog story set in B.C. But Gemma has to come to a meeting to get it. I’ll have to write a story about blackmail sometime.
Bob brought along his story “Going Downtown”, which he had asked Susan to critique. She had made some changes, maybe not understanding he had written this piece first person from his experience as a five year old. We suggested Bob do some re-writing and clarify for the reader right at the beginning that the narrator is a five year old male child, so that following observations make sense to the reader.
Margaret had another Peabody story, “Mr. Lamb’s Still”, and she had drawings of a still to show us. As she read, we heard of Peasly, Peacock and Mr. Lamb planning a party to celebrate Peabody’s engagement to Marie, but without actually mentioning the engagement. The party took place at Mr. Lamb’s home, with the overproof spirits from his still as the main refreshment. Peabody enjoyed the party and all the congratulations, even when he won a dart game, but still didn’t know everybody thought he was going to marry Marie.
I read chapters 3 – 5 in my novel, mostly dealing with the scene of the second fire in the strata complex that Fiona manages, and giving background information. Bob said it reads much better than he had remembered it and Margaret did feel the suspense as I was reading. So there you go, it probably works better as a whole story than just single chapter selections. Continuity may be important in reading a novel.
I sent an update on The Ram’s Head listing to Lois Peterson. LPWordsolutions gives a listing of writing groups in the Lower Mainland, as does the website for The Federation of B.C. Writers, the latter updated by Sylvia Taylor. Lois and Sylvia are both creative writing teachers based in Surrey.
Next meeting here at my place Thursday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. Please join us as we would love to see you.
Lisa
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