Newsletter - April 2010

In this issue:
Minutes of meeting – Exercises Group
A few of the points -
Lorraine - news
Contributor to blog for April
Exercise for May
Guest Speaker – reminder
Meeting Report – Novel/Short Stories
Group
Blog Posts for Novel Writers
Meeting Dates

April 2010
Volume 1, Number 3

Meeting Fairfield Writers Group, 10 April 2010
Exercises Group

Apologies: Rachel, Gayle, Rosemary

Present: Helga, Anna, Lorraine, Yolanda, Carol

· Chairing this meeting: Anna

· Lorraine – news: Lorraine’s children’s book, ‘Melanie’s Easter Gift’, is to be marketed in America for both their Leukaemia Foundation and Children’s Cancer Foundation. That’s excellent news!

· Assignment this month: Two Portraits at the Art Gallery
This assignment was different from the usual exercises we have done in the past
wherein it was visual with the two portraits to write about. Some members had done
a little research that added to the interest immensely. This exercise made a nice
change from the usual.

· Yolanda read out her piece of writing “The Girl in the Mirror” in response to this month’s exercise.

· Helga to submit her writing of Two Portraits at the Art Gallery to FWG’s blog.

· Lorraine’s exercise for May: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? (An Exercise in Characterisation)

· Exercise for June: to be chosen by Anna

· I reminded everyone interested in attending to put their name down at the library desk for the Guest Speaker, Estelle Pinney on 22 May 2010 @ 10.30 am. I urge everyone else to do the same. I think it will be a great event and also a good opportunity for us to promote our writing group and perhaps attract some new members. Helga is producing flyers and bookmarks to hand out on the morning. Thanks Helga.

Carol

Meeting Fairfield Writers Group, 24 April 2010
Novel/Short Stories Group

We had an enjoyable meeting yesterday. It got off to a late start due to some late arrivals, but there were five present: Karen, Anna, Rachel, Pam and Lorraine. Anna chaired the meeting and Lorraine took minutes.

Karen presented the first part of a children's story targeted at an as yet undecided age group, but intended to be enjoyed by adult readers as well. She has been studying C.S. Lewis and seeking to emulate that style. The piece was educational as well as entertaining.

Lorraine presented a scene from Chapter 4 of her novel, I Might Have Been Me;

Anna has started an as yet unnamed novel about a woman writing in her diary and the beginning showed great promise. She hadn't yet decided exactly what the story would be about, and appreciated some contributions of ideas for developing the story, naming the work, and defining the central character. The style was fresh and entertaining.

Pam elected not to distribute her work for comment at the meeting, but chose to pass out copies for reading and comment afterward. She is working on a magazine article.

Rachel presented a sci-fi piece inspired by the assignment for May.

The meeting continued until 1:10pm as the critiques were all very detailed and extremely helpful. Although everyone was tired and desperate for a cuppa by the end, I think the general consensus was that the meeting was very productive.

Lorraine

PS I just wanted to add that there are two very good articles on FWG’s blog about novel writing. One is called ‘Guide to Literary Agents – Successful Queries: Agent Ginger Clark and ‘A Match Made in High School’. The other post is called ‘5 Tips for Instantly Improving Your Novel.’ They are worth checking out.

Also a big thank you Lorraine for writing the Novel/Short Stories report this month.

Happy writing everyone.

Carol

Next Meeting Dates:
Exercises Group – 8 May 2010
Novel/Short Stories Group 22 May 2010