YEAR’S END
Jason, Annette, Kristie, and Margaret F. all joined me Wednesday night for the last meeting of 2015. I did manage to do some holiday decorating before the meeting so the place felt a little cozier. Unfortunately, Charity and Christine were unable to attend.
We started by letting Jason vent. He was extremely upset that his Mac desktop computer had frozen while he was on a roll. He had written very productively for several hours when this happened, and sad to say, he hadn’t stopped regularly to save his work. The computer froze, he had to unplug it, and lost everything he had written. This was especially frustrating since any prolonged writing time is very hard to find in the busy life of parents with young children. Please accept our condolences, Jason, for the loss of your treasured canon.
Kristi read first, a story called “Not The North Pole”. This was a hilarious true account of her family’s doomed expedition to ride The Polar Express out of Squamish one Christmas season when her children were very young, and not in the best of health. Their excursion was raucously punctuated by one or the other of the children vomiting in various places there and back. And the train ride itself left much to be desired by those who rode, and those prohibited. Too funny!
Margaret read Chapter Five from “Babes In The Wood”. This chapter centers around her need to see if she can determine exactly when the children were murdered. She spends a great deal of time doing research at the Vancouver public library, reading archived newspaper articles written just after the bodies were found. She wanted to know why the curator at the museum had noted their date of death as being more than one year before the date in the coroner’s findings. She ends up with more questions than answers.
I read “The Perfect Size” from my collection of ‘Honey’ stories. It’s about my wanting a dress form for sewing and Honey finding a partial used one at the Salvation Army. It needs him to make a stand for it, but this is advisable over him wrapping me in duct tape to achieve a mold that he would have to cut me out of. Everybody laughed at the telling. This story has already been published in one anthology, but I still maintain copyright for it.
Jason read the next chapter about Damianos and Kwen. She wants to leave the jungle and return to her people on the plain. As they travel, he asks her about her people, and she talks non-stop about her tribe and their need to reclaim their sacred stolen city. Damianos calls her on her faith and beliefs, telling her she’s delusional to think that’s what her people need. He is speaking from lengthy and extensive experience.
Annette read Chapter 3 from “Within The Tangles”. In this chapter young Janna is abducted by Gage, after getting Abby to leave her bedroom window open at night for him to enter. Abby thought she was going to have an assignation with Gage, but she slept through the night and awoke to Janna’s brother, Foster, looking for Janna. Then Janna’s father thinks Gage, being a family friend, just wants to spend some time with her and will bring her back unharmed. But he hasn’t seen the duplicity Gage expended to abduct her that the reader has seen. We are all worried about what’s happened to Janna.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, January 6th, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year! I look forward to seeing you all in January!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Friday, December 4, 2015
Saturday, November 21, 2015
THE REVIEW
LIGHT AND DARK
We had a great Meeting Wednesday night. Margaret, Jason, Annette and Charity all joined me with The Muse in tow.
Margaret read first, a fictional short story based on the popular suspicion that the mother was the one who killed the two children in the ‘Babes In The Wood’ unsolved murder. The story depicts the stark reality of life on float houses on False Creek, under the Burrard Street Bridge in 1947. It showed a desperate woman with two children trying to survive, living with a man on his float house. He tells her to take her kids and leave and she turns her fury and despair on her children. The story is mesmerizing in its desolation. We hope Margaret can find somewhere for it to be published as we all thought it was a story that needs to be shared.
To lighten the mood and avoid comparison in quality of writing, I read my story “Clueless” from my ‘Honey’ stories. This is the second story in my collection and is a viewing of Honey’s character quirks that can be both maddening and hilarious. It talks about laundry and cell phones and lost keys and dirty tracks on the clean floor and, of course, his need for a beer. Charity said the stories feel ‘homey’ to her. Comfortable. I hope that’s good.
Jason read the next chapter in his novel. This is a scene with Damianos trying to get Kwen to tell him what planet they are on and who populates it. There is a lot of sexual tension between the two and she very reluctantly tells him, but he still doesn’t know why he’s there. Charity observed there was a lot of information dumped on the reader in this scene, and thinks it could be done differently so as not to detract from the sexual nuances between the two characters. Something to think about.
Annette read the first two chapters of her new novel “Within The Tangles”, a novel of abused children who all end up in the same counselling session. It starts out showing us eight year old Janna and sixteen year old Abby, two cousins. Janna is motherless, and her father is hospitalized. Abby learns her mother is turning tricks in their own home when she walks in early one day with Janna in tow. In defiance, Abby falls in with a much older boyfriend. Readers fear for the safety of both these girls.
Charity read another scene from her book showcasing Hornby Island. It is the day after the storm, summer tourists are gone but the weather is still summery. We learn seventeen year old Percy had been sent to the island to live with her grandfather by her own father in Vancouver. She meets a boy by the store and would like to get to know him, but he collects his art materials and runs off. She hates being cold so stays away from the water, and goes mountain boarding instead. After a tumble, she runs into the boy again and tells him she has some of his art supplies in her car and invites him to follow her. This scene showed more of the island and how laid back it is compared to Vancouver. I told Charity I was having trouble seeing an aim to the story, that it just seemed to meander. Unless, of course, its purpose is to be a relationship between Percy and the boy! Their meeting was definitely the point where I thought something was going to happen.
Had a phone call last week from Bob Jacoby to say his beloved poodle, Sydney, had passed away. A number of Rams had met Sydney when Bob hosted a Meeting at his home once, a number of years ago. We are sorry to hear she is gone.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. That will be our last Meeting before Christmas. Hope to see you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
We had a great Meeting Wednesday night. Margaret, Jason, Annette and Charity all joined me with The Muse in tow.
Margaret read first, a fictional short story based on the popular suspicion that the mother was the one who killed the two children in the ‘Babes In The Wood’ unsolved murder. The story depicts the stark reality of life on float houses on False Creek, under the Burrard Street Bridge in 1947. It showed a desperate woman with two children trying to survive, living with a man on his float house. He tells her to take her kids and leave and she turns her fury and despair on her children. The story is mesmerizing in its desolation. We hope Margaret can find somewhere for it to be published as we all thought it was a story that needs to be shared.
To lighten the mood and avoid comparison in quality of writing, I read my story “Clueless” from my ‘Honey’ stories. This is the second story in my collection and is a viewing of Honey’s character quirks that can be both maddening and hilarious. It talks about laundry and cell phones and lost keys and dirty tracks on the clean floor and, of course, his need for a beer. Charity said the stories feel ‘homey’ to her. Comfortable. I hope that’s good.
Jason read the next chapter in his novel. This is a scene with Damianos trying to get Kwen to tell him what planet they are on and who populates it. There is a lot of sexual tension between the two and she very reluctantly tells him, but he still doesn’t know why he’s there. Charity observed there was a lot of information dumped on the reader in this scene, and thinks it could be done differently so as not to detract from the sexual nuances between the two characters. Something to think about.
Annette read the first two chapters of her new novel “Within The Tangles”, a novel of abused children who all end up in the same counselling session. It starts out showing us eight year old Janna and sixteen year old Abby, two cousins. Janna is motherless, and her father is hospitalized. Abby learns her mother is turning tricks in their own home when she walks in early one day with Janna in tow. In defiance, Abby falls in with a much older boyfriend. Readers fear for the safety of both these girls.
Charity read another scene from her book showcasing Hornby Island. It is the day after the storm, summer tourists are gone but the weather is still summery. We learn seventeen year old Percy had been sent to the island to live with her grandfather by her own father in Vancouver. She meets a boy by the store and would like to get to know him, but he collects his art materials and runs off. She hates being cold so stays away from the water, and goes mountain boarding instead. After a tumble, she runs into the boy again and tells him she has some of his art supplies in her car and invites him to follow her. This scene showed more of the island and how laid back it is compared to Vancouver. I told Charity I was having trouble seeing an aim to the story, that it just seemed to meander. Unless, of course, its purpose is to be a relationship between Percy and the boy! Their meeting was definitely the point where I thought something was going to happen.
Had a phone call last week from Bob Jacoby to say his beloved poodle, Sydney, had passed away. A number of Rams had met Sydney when Bob hosted a Meeting at his home once, a number of years ago. We are sorry to hear she is gone.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. That will be our last Meeting before Christmas. Hope to see you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Saturday, November 7, 2015
THE REVIEW
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
At our Meeting on Wednesday, Margaret F. and I were joined by our two new members, Chris Potter and Charity Gosling. With just the four of us present, we were able to spend some time getting to know each other and exchange information on our writing pasts as well as our goals. Chris has an extensive background in writing and making a living at it, at newspapers, magazines and as a freelance writer. Charity has written a number of novels, YA urban fantasy and one western, and also writes a regular online column, for pay. We are impressed by both these ladies.
Charity read first from a YA modern horror book she has started called “Saltwater Mermaids”. It is set on Hornby Island and starts as a first person narrative by a female teenager. She describes the gathering of unusual people in her grandfather’s home, and tells of the mythical witch in the harbour. And she gives a haunting description of the local setting. We hope to hear more of what happens in this story. Charity said it will be the first time she has tried writing instinctively, without following a previously constructed outline.
Chris read next, a story titled “Sam Rickl”, which she wants to include in the memoir she is writing about fascinating people she has met around the world. This story tells of Sam being an elder in the Amish community of Lancashire County, Pennsylvania. Chris gave us lots of detail about their customs and way of life, but after her reading of it, she thought she needed to tell more about the people rather than just facts about the way they live. Having written for many years to specific word counts and as a journalist giving facts, it is a new way of writing for Chris.
Margaret read Chapter 3 from her “Babes In The Wood”. This chapter shows her going home after visiting the exhibit on the unsolved murder and having seen children’s bones strapped to the wall as if they were just artifacts. She discusses the case and all her questions with her husband, Chris, as he makes soup the reader can almost taste. He eventually tells her emphatically she is the one who should be asking questions and getting people wanting answers so authorities would again actively work on the case. Margaret has definitely found her voice for writing this book and it is fascinating to hear each chapter.
After Margaret mentioned the importance of setting writing goals at the previous Meeting, I decided I would get busy and work on my collection of stories in “Honey Signed The Waiver” and have set a goal of re-writing and editing at least one story each week. So at this most recent Meeting, I read the first story, “The Best Thing”, about meeting Bryon and deciding he was the best thing that ever happened to me. We all laughed and I had to wipe away tears to keep reading, so I hope that means it meets the test for humour.
Charity had asked how the Ram’s came up with their name (The Ram’s Head Writers’ Group) and had thought it might have some mystical or mythical meaning behind it. She was disappointed when I pointed out the brass talking stick with the blue ram’s head on top and explained what it was. So, if anyone wants a writing prompt, maybe you could come up with a more inspiring story on how we assumed our auspicious moniker?
Annette was away, caring for her mother. Kristie had to attend parent/teacher night at her children’s school. Jason had no babysitter. And Lorelie had a cold and wasn’t well. We missed all of them.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. I do hope to see you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
At our Meeting on Wednesday, Margaret F. and I were joined by our two new members, Chris Potter and Charity Gosling. With just the four of us present, we were able to spend some time getting to know each other and exchange information on our writing pasts as well as our goals. Chris has an extensive background in writing and making a living at it, at newspapers, magazines and as a freelance writer. Charity has written a number of novels, YA urban fantasy and one western, and also writes a regular online column, for pay. We are impressed by both these ladies.
Charity read first from a YA modern horror book she has started called “Saltwater Mermaids”. It is set on Hornby Island and starts as a first person narrative by a female teenager. She describes the gathering of unusual people in her grandfather’s home, and tells of the mythical witch in the harbour. And she gives a haunting description of the local setting. We hope to hear more of what happens in this story. Charity said it will be the first time she has tried writing instinctively, without following a previously constructed outline.
Chris read next, a story titled “Sam Rickl”, which she wants to include in the memoir she is writing about fascinating people she has met around the world. This story tells of Sam being an elder in the Amish community of Lancashire County, Pennsylvania. Chris gave us lots of detail about their customs and way of life, but after her reading of it, she thought she needed to tell more about the people rather than just facts about the way they live. Having written for many years to specific word counts and as a journalist giving facts, it is a new way of writing for Chris.
Margaret read Chapter 3 from her “Babes In The Wood”. This chapter shows her going home after visiting the exhibit on the unsolved murder and having seen children’s bones strapped to the wall as if they were just artifacts. She discusses the case and all her questions with her husband, Chris, as he makes soup the reader can almost taste. He eventually tells her emphatically she is the one who should be asking questions and getting people wanting answers so authorities would again actively work on the case. Margaret has definitely found her voice for writing this book and it is fascinating to hear each chapter.
After Margaret mentioned the importance of setting writing goals at the previous Meeting, I decided I would get busy and work on my collection of stories in “Honey Signed The Waiver” and have set a goal of re-writing and editing at least one story each week. So at this most recent Meeting, I read the first story, “The Best Thing”, about meeting Bryon and deciding he was the best thing that ever happened to me. We all laughed and I had to wipe away tears to keep reading, so I hope that means it meets the test for humour.
Charity had asked how the Ram’s came up with their name (The Ram’s Head Writers’ Group) and had thought it might have some mystical or mythical meaning behind it. She was disappointed when I pointed out the brass talking stick with the blue ram’s head on top and explained what it was. So, if anyone wants a writing prompt, maybe you could come up with a more inspiring story on how we assumed our auspicious moniker?
Annette was away, caring for her mother. Kristie had to attend parent/teacher night at her children’s school. Jason had no babysitter. And Lorelie had a cold and wasn’t well. We missed all of them.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. I do hope to see you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Friday, October 23, 2015
THE REVIEW
BACK ON TRACK
This past Wednesday saw five of us Rams here at a Meeting after the previous one had been cancelled due to members unable to attend. Margaret F., Kristi, Annette and Jason all joined me to re-connect as writers in need of other writers.
Kristi read two poems. One was about a wind chime made of sea glass that twirled together the wind and the colours. The second poem was called “Portrait” and was about a confident woman unafraid of living in an explosion of colour.
Kristi also said she thinks she needs a plot outline in order to continue writing “Jane And The Midnight Daisies”, that she may be the type of author who needs that structure to start with. I asked if she had any idea of what the end of the book would be, and she said no. Knowing the end of my novel was something that helped me write towards a specific goal. I might not have been able to keep going otherwise. But Jason and Margaret both contend the act of writing will lead you to where the novel wants to go. Different things work for different writers.
Margaret read Chapter Two of “Babes In The Wood” and this chapter shows how she dared travel to Vancouver’s downtown Eastside to see an exhibit of police evidence collected on the Babes in the Wood case. She tells explicitly what she saw both on the street and inside the museum. The depravity of the murders are expanded by the decay and insanity in the neighbourhood where the display is housed. And in the telling of this, Margaret includes the symptoms of her own Asperger’s Syndrome that compel her to keep asking questions and dig deeper, desperately needing answers.
Jason read his next Chapter, which shows Damianos and the Amazon woman, Kwen, after he has saved her and removed the arrow from her shoulder. He has fed on those he killed and regained his strength. The two of them spar verbally and seem to be flirting, though she is so much larger than he is. Damianos wants to know what world they are in, but Kwen doesn’t tell him. He tells her she should enlighten him before he grows hungry again.
Annette said she didn’t bring anything to read, but has been devising a plot for a novel as she spent the past two days working, driving a tractor. The novel would be about the kidnapping of a young girl and its aftermath until she graduates from high school. She said she would incorporate some things she experienced herself while growing up.
Annette also told us she has been unable to keep writing her novel “A Touch Of Wormwood” since we all said we wanted her main character to be more dynamic. One party did not like the character at all and voiced that opinion. So this brings up the question of critiquing and how it’s done. We need to remember we should only comment on writing technicalities, never content or personal likes or dislikes. Some members want in-depth critiquing and others find that too off-putting to keep them inspired. I’ve had members quit for both reasons, because we critiqued too much and because we didn’t. Perhaps we need to ask those who read what it is they specifically want from those of us who are listening. That way any advice we have would be directed where it’s really wanted.
I had been recovering from some emergency surgery I had the end of September, and after another anaesthetic wasn’t feeling too mentally active. However, I did write a short ‘Honey’ story of 500 words entitled “Locked Out”. It’s about trying to find space to write in this house I share with Honey when he is at home and locks me out of the den while he works on his own project.
Chris Potter has been away but hopes to join us again at the next Meeting. Another writer has also queried about the Rams and said she will join us then, too. I have gone online and placed our Meetings on the Event Calendar for the Langley Times as well as the Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Surrey and White Rock papers.
Since the Langley Legion closed, I will have to make an effort to find a copy of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine each month so I can report on the articles Margaret Moffatt keeps writing for them.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place and I hope to see you then. Stay safe for Halloween!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
This past Wednesday saw five of us Rams here at a Meeting after the previous one had been cancelled due to members unable to attend. Margaret F., Kristi, Annette and Jason all joined me to re-connect as writers in need of other writers.
Kristi read two poems. One was about a wind chime made of sea glass that twirled together the wind and the colours. The second poem was called “Portrait” and was about a confident woman unafraid of living in an explosion of colour.
Kristi also said she thinks she needs a plot outline in order to continue writing “Jane And The Midnight Daisies”, that she may be the type of author who needs that structure to start with. I asked if she had any idea of what the end of the book would be, and she said no. Knowing the end of my novel was something that helped me write towards a specific goal. I might not have been able to keep going otherwise. But Jason and Margaret both contend the act of writing will lead you to where the novel wants to go. Different things work for different writers.
Margaret read Chapter Two of “Babes In The Wood” and this chapter shows how she dared travel to Vancouver’s downtown Eastside to see an exhibit of police evidence collected on the Babes in the Wood case. She tells explicitly what she saw both on the street and inside the museum. The depravity of the murders are expanded by the decay and insanity in the neighbourhood where the display is housed. And in the telling of this, Margaret includes the symptoms of her own Asperger’s Syndrome that compel her to keep asking questions and dig deeper, desperately needing answers.
Jason read his next Chapter, which shows Damianos and the Amazon woman, Kwen, after he has saved her and removed the arrow from her shoulder. He has fed on those he killed and regained his strength. The two of them spar verbally and seem to be flirting, though she is so much larger than he is. Damianos wants to know what world they are in, but Kwen doesn’t tell him. He tells her she should enlighten him before he grows hungry again.
Annette said she didn’t bring anything to read, but has been devising a plot for a novel as she spent the past two days working, driving a tractor. The novel would be about the kidnapping of a young girl and its aftermath until she graduates from high school. She said she would incorporate some things she experienced herself while growing up.
Annette also told us she has been unable to keep writing her novel “A Touch Of Wormwood” since we all said we wanted her main character to be more dynamic. One party did not like the character at all and voiced that opinion. So this brings up the question of critiquing and how it’s done. We need to remember we should only comment on writing technicalities, never content or personal likes or dislikes. Some members want in-depth critiquing and others find that too off-putting to keep them inspired. I’ve had members quit for both reasons, because we critiqued too much and because we didn’t. Perhaps we need to ask those who read what it is they specifically want from those of us who are listening. That way any advice we have would be directed where it’s really wanted.
I had been recovering from some emergency surgery I had the end of September, and after another anaesthetic wasn’t feeling too mentally active. However, I did write a short ‘Honey’ story of 500 words entitled “Locked Out”. It’s about trying to find space to write in this house I share with Honey when he is at home and locks me out of the den while he works on his own project.
Chris Potter has been away but hopes to join us again at the next Meeting. Another writer has also queried about the Rams and said she will join us then, too. I have gone online and placed our Meetings on the Event Calendar for the Langley Times as well as the Abbotsford, Aldergrove, Surrey and White Rock papers.
Since the Langley Legion closed, I will have to make an effort to find a copy of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine each month so I can report on the articles Margaret Moffatt keeps writing for them.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place and I hope to see you then. Stay safe for Halloween!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Thursday, September 17, 2015
THE REVIEW
CHANGES
Jason, Kristi, Margaret F., and new member Christine (Chris) Potter, joined me last night in honour of The Muse. Welcome, Chris, to this motley crew of aspiring scribes.
I read first, and since Margaret was the only one last night who had already heard my latest ‘Honey’ story, that is what I read again. It’s not that I like to hear my own voice, just that I had nothing new to read. However, I had done some editing and changed a few things.
Jason read a chapter from his second book, about Damianos and the giant female, Kwen, in the jungle. He helps her defeat attackers, and then starts to devour them to assuage his hunger. Kwen is shot by an archer, and as she falls pleads with Damianos not to eat her, too! Lots of blood and gore in this chapter!
Kristi, back after a long absence, said she really hadn’t had much time to write. But she did read to us a poem, “Bones Of Dead Stars” and then a short story, “Sea Glass Lover” where a woman is torturing a man to obtain his password. He gives it to her and she then kills him. But leaving the room, she also leaves the simulation and they then discuss what the real password was. Dark. Surprising. I would love to read this story myself in print to fully appreciate its nuances.
Margaret F. read to us her latest re-write from “Babes”. This is her first chapter, and explains why she was so compelled to ask questions about this murder of two young children that was never solved. It is first person memoir, creative non-fiction which gives the reader an intimate point of view from which to watch. We all thought it was very well done, and that this is the voice Margaret should be using.
Chris read us a poem, “Wrinklies On The Road”, about a group of elderly people who have gone out on a day trip. It is full of crystal clear images of both old and young and their disconnection in today’s world. I suggested Chris send it to Today’s Senior Newsmagazine.
Marilyn Sergi will have a new article about her uncle in the Abbotsford Genealogical Society Newsletter. It is about becoming a British Bobby.
Annette won’t be joining us now until about December, as she is in Grand Forks attending her mother during cancer treatment. Jim and Leah were both unable to attend last night, no reason given. Wendy hopes to join us again perhaps around the end of October, after dealing with things since her mother passed away. Gemma, over in Victoria, says hi to everyone and wants members to know they are most welcome to visit if they come to the Island.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, October 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Happy writing in the meantime.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Jason, Kristi, Margaret F., and new member Christine (Chris) Potter, joined me last night in honour of The Muse. Welcome, Chris, to this motley crew of aspiring scribes.
I read first, and since Margaret was the only one last night who had already heard my latest ‘Honey’ story, that is what I read again. It’s not that I like to hear my own voice, just that I had nothing new to read. However, I had done some editing and changed a few things.
Jason read a chapter from his second book, about Damianos and the giant female, Kwen, in the jungle. He helps her defeat attackers, and then starts to devour them to assuage his hunger. Kwen is shot by an archer, and as she falls pleads with Damianos not to eat her, too! Lots of blood and gore in this chapter!
Kristi, back after a long absence, said she really hadn’t had much time to write. But she did read to us a poem, “Bones Of Dead Stars” and then a short story, “Sea Glass Lover” where a woman is torturing a man to obtain his password. He gives it to her and she then kills him. But leaving the room, she also leaves the simulation and they then discuss what the real password was. Dark. Surprising. I would love to read this story myself in print to fully appreciate its nuances.
Margaret F. read to us her latest re-write from “Babes”. This is her first chapter, and explains why she was so compelled to ask questions about this murder of two young children that was never solved. It is first person memoir, creative non-fiction which gives the reader an intimate point of view from which to watch. We all thought it was very well done, and that this is the voice Margaret should be using.
Chris read us a poem, “Wrinklies On The Road”, about a group of elderly people who have gone out on a day trip. It is full of crystal clear images of both old and young and their disconnection in today’s world. I suggested Chris send it to Today’s Senior Newsmagazine.
Marilyn Sergi will have a new article about her uncle in the Abbotsford Genealogical Society Newsletter. It is about becoming a British Bobby.
Annette won’t be joining us now until about December, as she is in Grand Forks attending her mother during cancer treatment. Jim and Leah were both unable to attend last night, no reason given. Wendy hopes to join us again perhaps around the end of October, after dealing with things since her mother passed away. Gemma, over in Victoria, says hi to everyone and wants members to know they are most welcome to visit if they come to the Island.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, October 7th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Happy writing in the meantime.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Friday, September 4, 2015
THE REVIEW
POWERFUL WORDS
Unfortunately, the power of the written word is not one that can also power our electrical lines. After the smashing windstorm last Saturday, some of us had restored power, and some of us didn’t. Alas, Annette had probably suffered the longest and her power wasn’t restored till Wednesday, and by then she wasn’t feeling at all well enough to attend a Meeting of The Rams. Jason said he was unable to attend, and as far as I know, Kristi may have still been away on holidays.
But Leah, Jim and Margaret F. all joined me here Wednesday and we had a good Meeting with just the four of us.
Margaret read first, from her book “Babes In The Wood”. This was a chapter that gave personal background information on the lead detective, Don MacKay. We all liked how it was written in first person from Margaret’s point of view, leading us to ask the same questions she hopes to pose in this book.
Jim read Chapter 15 from “Coventry Ghosts – Book I”. This shows the ghosts Sara and Leanne trying to make contact with the living who come to the Wired Monk coffee shop, all their antics very amusing.
I read my latest ‘Honey’ story, “Lost And Found”. It was about several incidents of either being lost, or losing things, on our recent road trip to Thunder Bay. We were crying from laughing so hard when I read it. I hope that’s a good thing.
Leah read from her book “Bonguetopia”. I am not allowed to tell the storyline.
Margaret Moffatt has an article on the history of Kamloops in the September issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine.
For the information of all members, I have decided to give up the domain name and the web hosting for our website, www.ramsheadwriters.ca The website is sadly out of date and I am unable to update it and Sonny, who originally set it up, has no time these days to work with it. Inquiries I receive about the writing group usually come to me through people finding the list of writing groups for Langley that is on the website for the Federation of B.C. Writers, and not our own website. I will continue to do the blog that contains The Review, as it is a separate entity and does not require any funding. I will continue to email all members each time an issue of The Review is posted at www.ramsheadwriters.blogspot.ca. These days, a number of our members write their own blogs or have their own websites, so I don’t see the loss of this one as being any great problem.
Since stores are now full of school supplies, it’s a great time to stock up on any office supplies you need. I went looking for a pack of red pens, for editing, to put in our goody box for the best piece of writing each month. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any. Hmmmm. Has there been a run on red ink? Maybe teachers hoard them? Or maybe accountants, since we are in a recession?
The next Meeting of The Ram’s Head Writers’ Group will be Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Unfortunately, the power of the written word is not one that can also power our electrical lines. After the smashing windstorm last Saturday, some of us had restored power, and some of us didn’t. Alas, Annette had probably suffered the longest and her power wasn’t restored till Wednesday, and by then she wasn’t feeling at all well enough to attend a Meeting of The Rams. Jason said he was unable to attend, and as far as I know, Kristi may have still been away on holidays.
But Leah, Jim and Margaret F. all joined me here Wednesday and we had a good Meeting with just the four of us.
Margaret read first, from her book “Babes In The Wood”. This was a chapter that gave personal background information on the lead detective, Don MacKay. We all liked how it was written in first person from Margaret’s point of view, leading us to ask the same questions she hopes to pose in this book.
Jim read Chapter 15 from “Coventry Ghosts – Book I”. This shows the ghosts Sara and Leanne trying to make contact with the living who come to the Wired Monk coffee shop, all their antics very amusing.
I read my latest ‘Honey’ story, “Lost And Found”. It was about several incidents of either being lost, or losing things, on our recent road trip to Thunder Bay. We were crying from laughing so hard when I read it. I hope that’s a good thing.
Leah read from her book “Bonguetopia”. I am not allowed to tell the storyline.
Margaret Moffatt has an article on the history of Kamloops in the September issue of Today’s Senior Newsmagazine.
For the information of all members, I have decided to give up the domain name and the web hosting for our website, www.ramsheadwriters.ca The website is sadly out of date and I am unable to update it and Sonny, who originally set it up, has no time these days to work with it. Inquiries I receive about the writing group usually come to me through people finding the list of writing groups for Langley that is on the website for the Federation of B.C. Writers, and not our own website. I will continue to do the blog that contains The Review, as it is a separate entity and does not require any funding. I will continue to email all members each time an issue of The Review is posted at www.ramsheadwriters.blogspot.ca. These days, a number of our members write their own blogs or have their own websites, so I don’t see the loss of this one as being any great problem.
Since stores are now full of school supplies, it’s a great time to stock up on any office supplies you need. I went looking for a pack of red pens, for editing, to put in our goody box for the best piece of writing each month. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any. Hmmmm. Has there been a run on red ink? Maybe teachers hoard them? Or maybe accountants, since we are in a recession?
The next Meeting of The Ram’s Head Writers’ Group will be Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Look forward to seeing you then.
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Thursday, August 20, 2015
THE REVIEW
AUGUST JOTTINGS
Leah, Jim, Annette and Jason all joined me last night for our most recent Meeting of the Rams. Kristi is away on holidays. Margaret F. said she had to rewrite her blog she lost to cyberspace before it was posted. She also wants to travel here by bus from where she lives in Surrey and I told her the service in this area leaves much to be desired, and it is a long walk from the stops on 200th St. And if she has to transfer at the loop on Logan, it’s not the safest, especially in the dark at night. I live where Translink doesn’t. But we do have street parking.
Jim read Chapters 13 and 14 from “Coventry Ghosts – Book I”. This shows the death of the kitten, Sara, and how she decides to become a ghost who remains to haunt the coffee shop with Leanne. These chapters switched easily from a scene of sadness, to one of light and laughter, and then on to one showing Jason killing people to collect their souls for his master computer, hoping to find his dead parents somehow.
After Annette told us her escapade trying to catch a rat in her house, I decided to read one of my first ‘Honey’ stories, “Hostilities on the Home Front”. It tells of our house being invaded one spring by rats and the subsequent battle fought for supremacy of this dominion. Leah laughed and said she enjoyed the military references.
While I was visiting back east in Thunder Bay, I did have occasion to read several of my ‘Honey” stories to a varied group of my family and my daughter’s friends one evening at camp. They were very well received and one fellow came back the next day to ask what time the next reading would be! And several said they would be very happy to buy my book when it’s published. Now I just have to find a publisher.
Jason and Annette didn’t read anything. They have both been overwhelmed with family responsibilities this summer. Never thought I’d say this, but I think we need some rain to keep us inside and calm things down a bit. I am definitely done with this long, dry summer.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, September 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then and that everyone can do some writing in spite of the heat and smoke from fires and kids and relatives and health and work and vehicle issues. It’s all just grist for the mill and only makes us better writers!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
Leah, Jim, Annette and Jason all joined me last night for our most recent Meeting of the Rams. Kristi is away on holidays. Margaret F. said she had to rewrite her blog she lost to cyberspace before it was posted. She also wants to travel here by bus from where she lives in Surrey and I told her the service in this area leaves much to be desired, and it is a long walk from the stops on 200th St. And if she has to transfer at the loop on Logan, it’s not the safest, especially in the dark at night. I live where Translink doesn’t. But we do have street parking.
Jim read Chapters 13 and 14 from “Coventry Ghosts – Book I”. This shows the death of the kitten, Sara, and how she decides to become a ghost who remains to haunt the coffee shop with Leanne. These chapters switched easily from a scene of sadness, to one of light and laughter, and then on to one showing Jason killing people to collect their souls for his master computer, hoping to find his dead parents somehow.
After Annette told us her escapade trying to catch a rat in her house, I decided to read one of my first ‘Honey’ stories, “Hostilities on the Home Front”. It tells of our house being invaded one spring by rats and the subsequent battle fought for supremacy of this dominion. Leah laughed and said she enjoyed the military references.
While I was visiting back east in Thunder Bay, I did have occasion to read several of my ‘Honey” stories to a varied group of my family and my daughter’s friends one evening at camp. They were very well received and one fellow came back the next day to ask what time the next reading would be! And several said they would be very happy to buy my book when it’s published. Now I just have to find a publisher.
Jason and Annette didn’t read anything. They have both been overwhelmed with family responsibilities this summer. Never thought I’d say this, but I think we need some rain to keep us inside and calm things down a bit. I am definitely done with this long, dry summer.
The next Meeting will be Wednesday, September 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then and that everyone can do some writing in spite of the heat and smoke from fires and kids and relatives and health and work and vehicle issues. It’s all just grist for the mill and only makes us better writers!
Lisa A. Hatton
Author
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