NEWSLETTER-AUGUST 2011

Working With Words

                                               

Newsletter – August 2011

Fairfield Writers Group

Website http://fairfieldwritersgroup-queensland.blogspot.com

In this issue:

Minutes of meeting – Exercises Group

Minutes of meeting – Novel/Short Story Group

Meeting Dates

                                     August, 2011

Minutes of Exercise meeting

13^th of August 2011

at

FAIRFIELD LIBRARY

Present: Anna, Carol, Jennifer, Maarten, Helga, Anne D, Findlay, Anne and Vera.

Minutes: Findlay

• We welcomed Anne to the meeting.

• The meeting revolved around Maaten’s proposal that each member write three limericks. Limericks were read out by Helga, Anna, Jennifer, Maarten and Findlay.

• Anna undertook to put one limerick from each participant on the FWG blog.

• All of the limericks were both clever and funny.

• Anne will decide on the exercise for the next meeting

Next meetings:

10 September – Exercise Group       

    24 September– Novel/short story

Fairfield Writers Group Novel and Short Story Meeting

27^th August 2011

MINUTES

Chair:  Findlay

Minutes:  Lorraine

Meeting opened 10:45 a.m.

Present:  Findlay, Lorraine, Helga, Maarten, Carol, Anne, Erwin, Wendy, Anne and Vera.

Apologies:  Anna

 

 

v  At Findlay’s request, the meeting commenced with discussion of a motion re management of future Anthology projects. Findlay correctly remarked that this was an FWG issue—not exclusively a 2011 Anthology Project team issue—as it affects participants in future Anthology projects who may or may not be part of the current Anthology project team.

 

 

v  Members read the motion and discussed it. Helga commented that future projects require a project manager—separate from the typesetter/editor/proof reader—to monitor deadlines and ensure members meet their obligations. Maarten agreed. There was general agreement with the proposal in the motion, including the proposal to bring forward payment of participation fees and that members who do not meet their obligations should have their stories removed and forfeit their participation fee.

   

v  Findlay requested that the motion be rewritten in an abbreviated form, and the motion be posted on the blog.

v  Lorraine moved the motion. Helga seconded. The motion was carried unanimously.

v  Vera apologized for not presenting writing work and said that she had been taken to task over her lack of participation. The group responded, in general agreement, that if she derives benefit from attending without presenting writing work, that is fine and she should continue to participate in ways she is comfortable with. Hopefully she will eventually feel confident to present writing pieces, but in the meantime her contribution to critiquing and discussion is appreciated and we are pleased that she derives pleasure and learning from her attendance.

  

Critiquing:

 

 

v  Carol presented a second draft of Chapter 1 of “Disaster the Second Time Around”. We are all looking forward to further installments of what promises to be an interesting tale.

 

 

v  Erwin presented a piece titled “Fruit of Thy Womb”, including reading a passage of it aloud. Members enjoyed the Phillipino flavour.

 

 

   

v  Helga presented a descriptive piece called “Brisbane-Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens”.  All agreed it would be ideal for a tourist brochure.

 

 

v  Anne presented the Eulogy she wrote for her mother’s funeral (read aloud by Lorraine). Though very personal and accordingly difficult to critique, all agreed the piece was beautifully written and very moving. Members made suggestions for stories about Anne’s mother’s life.

 

 

v  Lorraine presented a short story titled “What the Gypsy Knew”, about a woman visiting a fortune teller.

 

 

v  Findlay presented a short story called “Rosita”—a delightful story with a surprise ending.

The meeting closed at approx 12:45pm.

NEWSLETTER-JULY 2011

Minutes of Exercise meeting

9^th of July 2011

at
Fairfield Library

Present: Anna, Helga, Lorraine, Maarten, Wendy

 

Apologies:  Carol, Findlay

Chairing this meeting:  Anna

Taking minutes this meeting: Helga

The following key points were discussed

in this meeting:

1. Anna presented her “Plan of assignments to keep track of the work we are doing. Anna will put link on Google docs for future assignments.
2. Minutes to be sent to Anna within a fortnight after every meeting.
3. Copyright agreement to be put onto blog.
4. Competitions to be noted on blog.
5. Anna suggested to supply a template for future minute-reporting
6. Maarten suggested the writing of “Limericks” as next assignment     
7. Lorraine put forward the idea of writing a report on impressions one might get at entering a room.
8. Assignments from last month’s meeting were discussed/critiqued

• Wendy read out her piece on “anaphora 
• Lorraine read out letter she wrote that fitted in with our exercises. It was decided to be put on our blog.
• Helga read out her poem about alliteration using the “k” sound and a jingle using the “t” sound. Both pieces were considered to be put on our blog.

     9.Helga suggested that full names of authors should be mentioned for works that are being     published on the blog

10. Next Exercise meeting to be on 13 August 2011 at the back of Fairfield Library.

Minutes of Novel/Short Story meeting

23rd of July 2011

at

Fairfield Library

Present:   Ely, Erwin, Carol , Helga, Anna, Findlay, Lorraine

Apologies:  Lou, Maarten

 Chairing this meeting:  Anna

 Taking minutes this meeting: Lorraine

·        Erwin and Ely were welcomed.  (Erwin attended some years ago and has, happily, returned.)

·        Anna explained the group meeting format to Erwin and Ely.

·        Carol presented a letter from QWC re membership renewal.  Anna explained what QWC do and the benefits of membership, and passed out some QWC brochures.

·        Anna commented that next year it would be desirable to do more workshops.

·        Members presented their writing for critiquing:

·         Lorraine presented a 2500 word story, “RSVP”, about a mother agonising over an invitation to her daughter’s overseas wedding, revealing the emotions of a mother having to let her child grow away from her.

·         Findlay presented a 3000 word story, “The Other George Hammond”, about a widow discovering that her husband had an affair, and murdering his mistress. This humorous and well-written ‘sting in the tail’ story ended by exposing that the wife was also having an affair.

·        Helga presented a very short piece titled “Changing Times”, exposing information about changes in the Brisbane landscape over several decades, and revealing her philosophy on change.

·         Anna presented a delightful children’s story titled “Snaily Bakes a Cake”

·         The group provided excellent feedback, offering very constructive critiques on each of these pieces.

·         Following tea/coffee and biscuits kindly provided by the library, Erwin presented an extract from a novel he called “Emmanuel”, set in the Philippines, and benefited from some detailed critical comments and suggestions on what promises to be a very interesting story.

·         The meeting closed at approx 12.45 pm.

Next meetings:

9 July – Exercise Group

Anthology Group

23 July– Novel/short story

NEWSLETTER-JUNE 2011

  

Minutes of Exercise meeting

11^th of June 2011

at
Fairfield Library

Present: Maarten, Jennifer, Vera, Anne, Helga, Lorraine and Wendy.

Minutes: by Jennifer

• Anne read her lovely short story "Oh the Stupid Goat" plus a comic verse and a poem "Never ask your Mom".
• Helga read her short story titled "Rescued".
• Lorraine read her story "Over the Back Fence".
• All were congratulated on their creativity and efforts.
• Discussion was held about a highly recommended book by Cindy Rogers called "Word Magic for Writers" which is available on "amazon.com" for $20 plus postage of $8. The book is sold at some book shops for $35.

Minutes of Novel/Short Story meeting

 25th of  June 2011

at

Fairfield Library

Present: Helga, Anne, Vera,   Karen & Carol

Apologies: Anna

Minutes: Carol

• Once again our meeting was small. However, Helga brought along two of her poems with an autumn theme. They were excellent.

• Anne brought some poems that included her poem about ‘what is a friend’. It is truly a beautiful poem. Well done Anne.

• The meeting closed at 11.30 am.

Next meetings:

 9 July –    Exercise Group

                   Anthology Group

    23 July– Novel/short story

NEWSLETTER-MAY 2011

Minutes of Exercise meeting

14^th of May 2011

at
Yeronga Services Club

Present: Anna, Carol, Jennifer, Bill, Vera, Anna, Helga, Wendy.

Meeting chaired: by Anna.

Minutes: by Wendy.

Ø Guest Speaker

Anna advised that Caz Osborne is unable to speak on the 25 June 2011. Lou to contact Caz to propose alternative dates.

Ø  Fairfield Library reopening

Anna reported that the Fairfield Writers Group had been allocated a five minute time slot to speak about the group on the occasion of the reopening of the library. Anna agreed to speak at the opening. Helga had designed a flyer with information about the group to distribute at the opening. It was agreed that the anthology ‘Beginnings’ should be available for sale at the opening at a price of $15. It was also agreed that preparation of a poster promoting the group should be deferred until later in the year.

Ø Marketing

T-shirts

The group discussed custom designed t-shirts for FWG members, possibly to be worn at the launch of the new anthology. Cost, design and sponsors to be considered.

Ø Other Business

·         Carol advised that extra money had been paid for a meeting which had been cancelled. It was agreed that the money should remain as a membership contribution.

·         It was noted that in the future the local councillor may be able to assist with printing and general support.

·         It was agreed that a card and small gift should be given to the Yeronga Services Club as a thank you from FWG members for hosting meetings during library repairs and renovations.

Ø June Exercise

June exercise to be based on the ABR Elizabeth Short Story Prize. Members to read an excerpt at the meeting.

Minutes of Novel/Short Story meeting

 28^th of  May 2011

at

Yeronga RSL Services Club

Present: Lorraine, Helga, Carol

Minutes: Carol

• We were small in numbers for our last meeting at the Yeronga RSL but it was productive. Lorraine brought along the synopsis for her novel ‘I Might Have Been Me’ and Helga brought a chapter of her novel.

• We had a good time critiquing and I think Lorraine and Helga found the comments made helpful.

• Findlay sent me a poem inspired by our previous exercise to write a humorous poem, which I read out. We all thought it was very funny.

Next meetings:

11 June – Exercise Group

                   Anthology Group

    25 June– Novel/short story

NEWSLETTER-APRIL 2011

Fairfield Writers Group Minutes-Exercise meeting        9 April 2011

Present: Anna, Carol, Helga, Jennifer, Lorraine, Lou, Wendy, Anne, and Maarten

Meeting chaired: by Anna 

Minutes: by Wendy

Ø  Fairfield Library reopening

Anna advised that an event is planned for Fairfield Library at the end of May to celebrate the reopening of the library after its closure due to flood damage. It was agreed that FWG should contribute to the occasion.

 Suggestions for involvement included:

·         sale of FWG anthology ‘Beginnings ‘

·         display of posters promoting FWG

·         assistance with invitations to the event

·         readings from members of the group

Anna to discuss these suggestions with Fairfield Library staff.

Ø Writing exercises

Jennifer advised that the May exercise is to be a humorous poem of three or more stanzas.

The poem may be rhyming or non-rhyming, but not a limerick.

Lorraine and Jennifer to distribute articles / links on poetry writing.

Anna to post a list of possible exercise themes for future meetings on blog.

Ø June Exercise

Maarten to choose exercise for June.

Ø Guest speaker

Lou reported that Caz Osborne, the project manager of One Book Many Brisbanes, is willing to speak to FWG on the

art of project managing an anthology-sticking to the milestones.  It was suggested that a thank you gift might be

appropriate.

It was agreed the proposed date should be 25 June 2011 from 10.30-11.30 at the Fairfield Library

 

Minutes of Novel/Short Story meeting

9 April 2011

No meeting was held

Next meetings:

  14 May – Set Exercise

       28 May– Novel/short story