THE REVIEW

BACK ON SCHEDULE

Wednesday was the third Wednesday of the month, so our Meeting here was back on track. Kay, Annette and Guy joined me in tune with the calendar!

I told the group I needed help deciding which story to read at the Lit Café I’ll be participating in on October 2nd. I am supposed to fill a ten minute time slot with my reading, but only have one ‘Honey’ story that is that exact length. The others are shorter, and I don’t have any two or three that could add to that amount of time together. Besides, I don’t really want to read more than one story. So I read to the group my story “Mechanically Challenged”, about the serpentine belt on a van breaking when we were on our way to Green Lake. It was ten minutes. Later on I read “Don’t Rock The Boat”, about a barbecue catching fire on a houseboat near Kelowna. It was eight minutes long. The group thought it best to read the second story as it had more drama to it and just adding a few words here and there could make it a little longer. So my decision is made and I thank those present for helping me with this. By the way, I used the stopwatch on my cell phone to time my reading all my stories out loud. Honey wanted to know who I was talking to.

Kay is currently writing her spec script and explained to us how the storyline structure is strictly timed for screen presentation. It comes in three acts, and they encompass seven different points of progression. Act 1 starts with the set-up of the main character’s world, and then moves to the inciting incident (conflict). Act 2 brings out a new direction for the character, which leads to a point of no return, and then moves into a reversal of the character’s circumstances. Act 3 proceeds to the climax and then the resolution/denouement. I will never watch a movie or T.V. drama the same way again.

At last week’s Meeting of just Annette and me, we discussed that maybe her novel’s plot would benefit if she wrote a prologue to it in the boyfriend’s point of view. So Annette did that, and it immediately gave way more depth and intrigue to the storyline. Jarod is upset about his relationship with Maxine and works out his anger at the gym, going over everything that bothers him, before leaving on a two week holiday. Now the reader will be left wondering what happened to him, and if the relationship with Maxine is salvageable.

Guy read a short story, “December 16th” that is a rewrite of one he had first let me read before he started coming to our Meetings. In the new version, we see his character George at a pub, looking forward to seeing the waitress Ursula. But she avoids him and he is instead served by an unlikable waitress from the bar. This scene leaves the reader wondering what he has done to deserve such treatment. Guy said he made the change based on some writing tips I had forwarded to everyone. Good to know they are helpful!

Charity’s calendar wasn’t working the same as ours, so she had other commitments Wednesday. And we hope to see Crystal and Luke again soon. And I’ll bet Margaret F. is still on the Island. I heard from her several weeks back, and she is still writing and misses us, as we do her.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, October 4th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then. Write on!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

TEA FOR TWO

Annette and I were the only Rams in attendance last night so we held our Meeting in the kitchen over a pot of tea and a serving or two of irrelevant conversation and maybe a tidbit of gossip.

To keep us on the writing topic, Annette read from her story about Maxine and Jarod. Max returns to Jarod’s hospital room and finds he’s had a setback and is being rushed to surgery. She faints and spends some time in the ER, and then when she recovers, wanders the halls till she finds a chapel, where Claire is already seated. Claire tells her to come and meet her husband, who is dying. Max realizes that even though she wants her freedom from her relationship to Jarod, she doesn’t want him to die for her to achieve that. This chapter had me wanting to know why, exactly, Max feels her relationship with Jarod is so unbearable.

I read a 150 word author’s bio I was required to submit, along with my picture, to the Lit Café where I have been invited to read. Out of thirteen who applied, I was one of the five chosen to participate. The event takes place October 2nd, at Alexandria House in Crescent Beach, at 7:00 p.m. The theme is Love/Romance/Relationships, so I will be reading one or more of my stories from “Honey Signed The Waiver”. Each author is asked to read for 10 minutes. Then there will be a panel discussion with participation from the floor. Lastly, there will be an open mic for other authors who would like to read. You are all invited to attend. I have been assured there is ample parking there both on site and on the street. When I told Honey he had to drive me, he asked if I’m buying him supper like he does for me when I go to his open mic or Karaoke nights.

Other good news I had was that my story, “Parade of Sorrow”, will be published in the anthology “The Stand” by Polar Expressions. I had a very good week.

Just so I could feel more professional, I went and ordered some new business cards for myself as an author/writer with lots of information on them about contacting me, about the Rams, about my books at Kobo, the blog for The Review. I will start promoting myself with glossy business cards! Ha! Ha!

Yesterday was Charity’s anniversary, so she was busy. Kay started a new job. And Crystal was working last night.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, September 20th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. We will be back on schedule with our Meetings the first and third Wednesdays of the month. I look forward to seeing you next week.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

COOLER HEADS PREVAIL?

Now that the weather has cooled down and the smoke from the wildfires has abated, we had a great Meeting here on Wednesday. Luke, Charity, Annette and Kay all showed up and the Meeting kept going till 9:40. Awesome!

Luke said he had written a short story that was accepted for a podcast. It is entitled “Fly-by Corn Thief”. He read it to us and it is a humorous account of a farmer reporting his stolen corn and telling the attending female officer the culprits were aliens in a UFO, because he saw crop circles in the cornfield. Congratulations to Luke on his success with this story.

Kay gave us an introduction to scriptwriting and said one should aim for playtime of between one hour, thirty minutes and two hours. Suggested length would be one hour, 45 minutes. And because so many screenplays can now be hacked, and are vulnerable the minute any interest is shown for a particular work, that it is strongly advised to copyright your script. Good to know.

Charity read the next chapter about Trixie. After having passed out from her injuries and exhaustion, Trixie awakes in what she calls the broken arm gully, a hiding hole her father had found. It has a cabin he had built, with supplies of food, ammunition, and bandages. After bathing in the pool, she finds a gold coin she knows her father probably dropped and it gives her hope of survival. As she cleans herself, and dresses her wounds, she remembers how her Ma had been a bad influence in their lives and was probably the cause of her father getting caught and hung. She breaks down and cries, finally allowing her grief to overcome her. There was lots of background info in this chapter revealing the stress she had experienced with her parents.

Annette said after comments I made at the last meeting, she rewrote the chapter about Maxine in the cafeteria at the hospital. Now as Max is wondering if Jarod would be there for her, an older woman asks if she needs someone to talk to. Claire sits down at the same table and proceeds to tell her how to have the cafeteria provide fresh food to specific requests. She tells Max she and her husband, together for forty years, had to learn to communicate with each other, and give voice to their expectations. Claire tells her that her husband is going home, but then reveals he is dying. Max thinks the woman is crazy. This chapter grabbed attention and works much better than the previous version.

I read a short piece called “Not Done Yet”, about an 83 year old woman looking for another man after the sudden and quite recent death of her partner. In between bouts of grief she is on the lookout for her next romantic interest.

Chrystal said she was called into work on Wednesday at the last minute. Lorelie had planned to attend, but had unexpected visitors. Margaret F. had emailed me earlier from the Island and said she hopes to be able to attend in the fall. It would be good to see all three of them.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Keep writing. And I look forward to seeing you September 6th!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

WOMEN ONLY

The Meeting here Wednesday night consisted of four women. We missed seeing Luke and Guy. Charity was dealing with a family emergency. And Kay is away helping to support firefighters in the interior. Crystal and Annette were here, and Annette brought a friend, Teena Rawding, with her. Teena also writes and has compiled a manuscript of what she called devotional pieces meant to support and encourage women who have suffered domestic abuse. She hopes to self-publish, perhaps as an ebook.

Annette read first, two more chapters. In the first chapter Maxine’s self absorbed in her fear of being trapped in a relationship with Jarod because her conscience won’t let her abandon him before he recovers from his injuries. In the next chapter she is back in the ICU as Jarod is being prepped for surgery. As he is wheeled away, she faints and because she is not an admitted patient, she ends up in the long waiting line in the ER. That’s when she realizes Jarod would never be there to look after her.

Teena read one piece entitled “Can You Imagine?”. It exemplifies how an abused wife loses all confidence in herself and is unable to communicate or make choices as everything she does is criticised in detail by the husband. She eventually accepts she is stupid and cannot escape, and submits to being told how to live in every way. Then the article goes on to tell about the hope that comes after leaving the abuser. The article addressed specifics of everyday life and would be very relevant to anyone in those circumstances.

Crystal had written a short first person story from a writing prompt that said to write about a tattered piece of clothing. Her mother wanted her to clean out her closet and get rid of a particular shirt. But the shirt was her security blanket for many years and was worn through many events in her life and consequently evoked memories she didn’t want to lose. I suggested that if Crystal could cut the words to 750 maximum she could enter the Polar Expressions writing contest, deadline July 31st.

I planned to enter something in the same contest so I read two short stories and asked which one I should enter. The first was “Parade of Sorrow” about a grieving mother watching the Veteran’s Parade on November 11th. She was a middle aged mother grieving her son lost in Afghanistan. The second story I read was “Playing Trivia” about a middle aged couple on a first date at the pub, with him wanting more than she was willing to give. The group chose “Parade Of Sorrow” because it had the greatest emotional impact. So that is the one I will enter.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see everyone then. Stay away from fires in the meantime.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

WRITING CORNER

Annette, Luke, Charity and Kay all joined me Wednesday for a lively Meeting and discussion. Adjusting to different circumstances around us, we seemed to be trying out different writing spaces and/or mindsets lately. One had lost a home office. One lost a work office. One gained somebody else’s office. One set a daily word count quota of 100 words and often wrote more than that. And one is looking for the next writing project.

We started with a discussion on foster homes, the sad need for them in the first place and the different experiences of children raised in them, some good, some bad.

Charity read first, about Trixie waking up in the sand, covered in blood from the fight with the mountain lion. She cleans herself and her injuries as best she can in the pond, and then uses a fallen tree limb as a cane to leave the area before sunrise. She seeks refuge in a deep, dark canyon where she collapses. Readers are left anxious for her welfare.

Luke read about Goren waking outside on the grass after the earthquake. He had hit his head escaping the collapsed house. He has to prevent himself from panicking, and then realizes he must go and find his sister. The landscape has changed totally, much covered by fallen rock. He heads to the river which is churning and muddy and full of fallen trees and debris. As he watches, a body comes floating downstream toward him. An orderly environment is now in total chaos.

Annette read of Maxine seeking to clear her head outside the hospital after signing for Jarod’s surgery. She first escapes the cloudy atmosphere around patients smoking near the door. Overcome with grief at her lost dream of love and marriage, she sinks into dirty grass and then has to rise and eventually hides inside her car where she breaks down and cries. She goes back inside the hospital and tries to clean up in a public washroom where water, soap and hand drying are only possible by motion-sensored equipment that doesn’t help with legs and feet. (Don’t know if such comedy was intended, but this was pricelessly funny.) Back in Jarod’s room, the nurse tells her to go home and rest so she can be strong for Jarod. Maxine wants to rebel, but doesn’t.

Kay didn’t read, but said she is still working on her script. Apparently, with scriptwriting, she was told not to discuss or publicise her intended plot at all. Filmmaking is very secretive, apparently.

I read two short pieces from my archived collection of past endeavors. The first was “Raccoon” about a man who scavenges the city streets at night looking for excitement like a raccoon seeks food. The second piece was a bit of memoir about running into a teenage cousin who had been given up for adoption when she was just six years old. It was a very sad family story.

Crystal emailed me to say she was at home Wednesday with the flu, so we hope she is recovering and can join us next time.

The next Meeting will be Wednesday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. Hope to see you then and that everyone can keep writing wherever and whenever circumstance allows.

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

DEDICATED SUMMER SCRIBES

Crystal, Charity and Luke joined me for a Meeting on Wednesday, which was both the longest day of the year and the first day of summer. We did decide that the Rams will continue to meet during the summer months this year. I don’t know if that was so much because we are all such dedicated, enthusiastic writers as because none of us were planning to go away on vacation this summer! So if persistence pays off for writers, we should be on the right track.

Charity read first, the next chapter showing Trixie waiting on a ledge for an hour after the posse leaves. She felt dirty and in need of a bath. She heads for a hideout her Pa used to go to and on the way finds a secluded pool. She strips and bathes but then is attacked by a mountain lion. She fights back with a knife and kills it, and she is left badly injured. This chapter was fraught with tension and the reader will keep turning pages to find out what happens next to Trixie.

Luke read to us of Goren waking up on the mountain to find the celiat has left him. He packs up and takes an easier route home, now that he isn’t tracking anything. When he arrives home, he finds the house empty and with his parents and his sister all away. He falls asleep with his boots on, but awakes to the ground shaking. This leaves us wanting to know what’s causing the shaking, an earthquake or invading troops?

Chrystal read a poem called “Stutter” which exemplifies how words (or sounds) can keep repeating inside the head without being able to speak them out loud and communicate deep emotions that are felt.

I read the last “Honey” story in my collection, which is called “Locked Out” and tells of Honey usurping my space in the den and my thinking I’m being blocked from doing any writing. But then I use that time to sit with my printed manuscript and do some editing with my red pen. Charity said it reminded her of a similar situation at her house lately. It’s wonderful if we have our own space to write in, but if we are dedicated writers we should be able to write anywhere, with any tools available. That’s what I keep telling myself anyhow.

With time still left in the Meeting, we segued into reading our own poetry, except for Luke, who says he doesn’t write poetry.

Charity read “This Old Tree” about an old tree that stands strong in the wind.

Crystal read “Open Up”, talking about her mother’s tongue of razor blades, her father’s chest being cut open, and through all the pain and despair and destruction, still feeling alone. Very haunting. The next poem she read was a rhyming one called “About Me”, trying to define herself.

I read “The Question Of Love” which lists all the myriad ways that love can manifest and is always different with each person loved. Then I read “Sweet Betrayal” about a man’s misplaced devotion to the lady in the bottle (alcohol) and how she slayed him.

I told those present about a used bookery/coffee shop I discovered in Aldergrove called Book’N’Bean. Nice ambience where you can browse the books, buy a coffee and sit and read. You can also trade in your used books for credit on buying other used books. They are at 27103 Fraser Highway. Keep them in mind if you are in that area or need an afternoon getaway.

Next Meeting will be Wednesday, July 5th at 7:00 p.m. here at my place that now sports a bright blue door. Can’t miss it! Have a Happy Canada Day in the meantime!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author

THE REVIEW

TWO IN ONE

Had a great Meeting here on Wednesday after the cancelled Meeting in May due to the car accident in which I suffered some injuries. Have mostly recovered now and can type again so no more excuses for not writing a Review. Will try to incorporate information from both of the last two Meetings to make up for the missing Review.

At the Meeting in May, Margaret F. read a fictionalized chapter from “Babes In The Wood” in which she tells about a young Clifford Olsen who was always in trouble and had a penchant for torturing birds. While his father was horrified, his mother seemed to make excuses for him. It should be interesting to see how Margaret ties this in with the rest of the investigation of the murdered children found in Stanley Park.

At two different Meetings, Luke read about Goren still at the cave where he killed the snake. He skins and cooks it and shares the meat with the celiat and then cleans up and prepares the skin and head to transport home as trophies. He decides to wait for sunrise before travelling and remembers the past when he decided to stay out of the combat troops of the military, in spite of what others thought. He became a lone hunter, like the celiat, which slept beside his tent that night.

Charity read twice about Trixie. After the girl had killed Brett, she takes his boots and knife and runs, afraid of being caught. She runs a zig-zag pattern to make it hard for Marley and his posse to track her. Hidden among the rocks in the sweltering heat, she sees the minister on horseback, sitting and watching the valley below. She forces herself not to move, trying to outlast his vigilance. Lots of tension in this scene.

Annette also read at both Meetings from the story she had started. Maxine was wanting to end a relationship with a man named Jarod. But he had been injured in a motorcycle accident and she needed to take time off work even though her boss wanted her to leave the man. She is at the hospital and meets a Ray Matthews, dressed in a coat and stethoscope, who tells her about Jarod’s injuries and asks for her signature for Jarod to have surgery. She questions the legality of her signing for that, but is told since there is no other family and that she had previously been designated temporary substitute decision maker, that her signature was valid. She realizes that Jarod will probably live and recover and that he needs her to help with that, but consequently she would have no freedom. Desperation is sometimes born of sacrifice to the needs of others.

I had read two Honey stories. In May I read “Reluctant Mr. Fixit” about Honey telling me he was done after doing three chores for me at home. Then I read “Lost And Found” about our road trip to Thunder Bay and the trials and tribulations of so much togetherness, ameliorated upon finding home again.

Guy didn’t read in May, but did at the last Meeting. He said he is just jotting down events in rough draft and read this time about George as a teen living with his grandmother, and being more interested in partying and drinking with his friends than school. He had a dream of being a pilot, though, and applied for ROTC with the Air Force. His application was accepted but when he went for the physical exam it was discovered that he was colour blind and his dream was denied.

Crystal Colligan was a new member who joined us for the first time on Wednesday. She writes mostly poetry and shared with us that a lot of her writing was about being recovered from anorexia. She read to us a poem entitled “Broken Things”, and it was raw, pulsating pain trying to survive past hurts and re-invent herself, and not at all sure of who she should be. This poem was naked emotion on the page and we hope will find publication somewhere. And Crystal did say she writes a blog, so we will have to ask where to find it.

Somebody asked me if the Rams were going to take some time out during the summer, and I replied I didn’t know. So give that some thought. In the past we have sometimes taken the month of August off, so if people want to do that, we can. I don’t have any travel plans this summer, so to keep having Meetings during July and August is fine with me if others want to attend. We will decide at the next Meeting, which will be Wednesday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m. here at my place. I look forward to seeing you then, which will be the longest day of the year!

Lisa A. Hatton
Author