Just Write

Muhammad Ma`ruf, ‘Prompt’ed in-meeting writing from 11/12/08.

“Could be. I never thought of that,” he said. “I was too engrossed with the nice purple flowers."

Several new books of interest to writers arrived this week at the library:

• Thanks, But This Isn't For Us:  A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing Is Being Rejected by Jessica Page Morrell

Review from Library Journal:  Morrell takes us through the school of hard knocks faced by writers who are struggling to get published. Without removing the creativity from creative writing, Morrell convincingly portrays the craft of writing for publication as no accident of fate by revealing the "trade secrets" of the publishing industry through the eyes of that all-important gatekeeper, the editor. Having seen too many writers making the same mistakes, Morrell examines what makes a book publishable and what makes a story suck. She goes over dozens of common writing mistakes—from character, to plot, to dialog—and helps the would-be author find the ways in which to fine-tune a manuscript to avoid another rejection letter.

• Teach Yourself How to Write Your Life Story by Ann Gawthorpe

From the publisher:  If you've ever wanted to write down your life story, but never found the time or the confidence, this book is for you. It will help you to find a style that suits you, to collect and structure all the information you need, to plan your story and discover your voice. There are lots of practical tips and reassuring advice if you're feeling daunted, and there is a complete list of all the options available for publishing your book.

• The Elements of Story:  Field Notes on Nonfiction Writing by Francis Flaherty

Review from Library Journal:  Playing on the title of Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, Flaherty, a New York Times editor who teaches journalism at New York University, shares 50 simple and insightful tips on the many elements writers can convey in stories. Not a style guide, this is instead a nuts-and-bolts examination of the larger elements of a story. First and most adamantly, he stresses the importance of bringing a human face to every story. Flaherty gives us real and invented examples of the cream of the crop of nonfiction writing in the form of narrative news articles. VERDICT This book can be read in one fell swoop to expose yourself to the full spectrum of story elements—such as theme, motion, artfulness, truth and fairness, leads, and titles—or it can be used as a guide during the process of writing non

Facilitator:  Jane

Present:  Bill, Muhammad, Jane

Approval of Minutes:  The minutes of 7/8 were approved.

Discussion/Planning:  Jo Ann had sent an email concerning the dates available to use the large room for our planned evening of readings.  If 10/21 is available, those present could participate on that date.  If that is not good for others, it was thought we should stick to our regular meeting date of 10/14.  Other groups may be invited to listen.  Jane will reply to Jo Ann.

In-meeting Writing:  Our in-meeting prompt was, "When he saw her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him".  Everyone wrote, and then shared their writing.  Bill wrote on spousal abuse.  Muhammad wrote about a bus stop meeting, and Jane wrote about a brother and sister.

Writing Submissions:  One submission read by Jane on "The Armor of God".  This was a recent writing on a topic written about and used for teaching in the past.

Writers' Reports:  On works in progress, Muhammad spoke of his research for his dream project, hoping not to lose sight of his original idea.

Meeting adjourned.  Next meeting August 12, 2009  

Scribe:  Jane

Facilitator:  Jane.  The meeting began at 7:00 PM

Present:  Jane, Richard, and Muhammad

Approval of Minutes:  The minutes of 6/10 and 6/24 were approved.

Announcements/Planning: 

• Discussion of proposed Reading Event in October.
• Muhammad mentioned that he needed someone to cover for him as Facilitator for the second meeting in August.  Jane suggested that Leah would be the person to contact and that an email may be sent to her asking whether she and Muhammad could switch dates in August and September.

In-meeting Writing:  Jane provided the prompt: "Olivia!  What do you carry in your handbag?"  Three different responses were read and discussed.

Reading and Critique of Writing Submissions:  Richard read a 10 page fictional submission, "The Strike", further elaborating his theme on the necessity of the villain - if there are no villains there can not be heroes.  Suggestions on how he can take his work to the next level of submitting for publication were discussed.

Writers' Reports:  Muhammad reported on progress made in his dream study project.  Some of it is a continuation of his paper read at the anthropology conference in April in Portland, OR.  He also discussed some further, minor changes done on "Benjamin Franklin and the Genealogy of Writers Groups".

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM

Recorder:  Muhammad, with thanks to Jane for a correction.

Facilitator:  Muhammad

Present:  Richard, Jane, Muhammad, Jo Ann.

Approval of Minutes:  The minutes for 7/22/09 were approved.

Discussion/Planning:  Jo Ann informed the group of an email from Anne approving October 21, 2009, for the group to hold a reading, on site, to which the public would be invited.  We also were informed that we could still have our regular meeting nights of October 14 and 28.

In-meeting Writing:  Muhammad, as facilitator, provided the prompt for in- meeting writing.  This began with a substantial introduction, which ended, "...the bad news is...."  All wrote and then read their offerings.

Writing Submissions:  Muhammad had prepared the beginning of a fiction piece, which is not his usual style.  The story was set in Sri Lanka (his country of origin), and included customs and information unfamiliar and very interesting  to the group.  This was well received, and he was encouraged to continue this work.  There were some suggestions for possible ways needed descriptions might be improved.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

Scribe: Jane Harre

A new book of interest to writers arrived this week at Logan Library.

The Call of the Writer's Craft:  Writing and Selling the Book Within by Tom Bird.

From the publisher: 

"Getting a book successfully published is as much about talent and creative drive as it is a matter of determination and business practice. Luckily for would-be authors, this book delivers the how-to on both the creativity and the business. Lecturer and writing retreat leader Tom Bird introduces authors to their Divine Author Within, and guides them through the process of listening to this inner muse. They will learn how to tap into their "creative connected mind" and relax their "logical critical mind" so they will be able to write the book they've always wanted to—in just two drafts! Once the book is complete, writers learn how to sell their book. Bird instructs his readers how to successfully navigate the publishing world so that they can make the right choices for their work."

Facilitator for the meeting was Bill; scribe, Jo Ann.  The meeting began at 7 PM.

Present:  Pam, Jane, Jo Ann, Bill and Richard.

Announcements - Planning:  Jane reported on a magazine article she had read about self-publishing.  Jo Ann reported on her communication with Anne regarding a reading of group members' work in the fall.  After discussion, Jo Ann was asked to contact Anne regarding other dates in October when the group may be able to use the large meeting room and to obtain further information regarding the role of other writing groups in the event.

In Meeting Writing:  Bill provided the writing prompt for the in meeting writing.  It was, "Why athletes should not be role models for young people."  Bill read his in meeting writing.

Reading and Critique of Group Members' Writing Submissions.  There were three writing submissions.  Jane submitted an essay on character; Jo Ann submitted the first chapter of an untitled historical fiction novel; and Richard submitted a horror short story, The Garden.

Writers' Reports - Works in Progress, Goals, and Progress Toward Goals:  No reports.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.  Next meeting:  July 8, 2009.

Facilitator for the meeting was Bill; scribe, Jo Ann.  The meeting began at 7 PM.

Present:  Pam, Jane, Jo Ann, Bill, Richard and Leah.

The minutes for May 13 and May 27, 2009 were approved.

Announcements- Planning:  Jo Ann reported that she had emailed Anne regarding a reading in the fall.

In Meeting Writing:  Bill provided the writing prompt for the in meeting writing .  It was, "List five or six adjectives that best describe a person you admire, living or deceased.  Write paragraphs using the adjectives to explain why they apply."  Bill, Jane, Pam and Jo Ann read their in meeting writing.

Reading and Critique of Group Members' Writing Submissions:  There was on writing submission.  Jo Ann read a selection from her memoir, A Pleasant Land.

Writers' Reports - Works in Progress, Goals and Progress Toward Goals:  No reports.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.  Next meeting:  June 24, 2009.

Facilitator:  Jo Ann.  The meeting began shortly after 7 PM.

Present:  Pam, Jane, Jo Ann, Muhammad, Bill

Announcements:  Jo Ann asked if the members wished to pursue the idea of sponsoring a reading of group members' work.  The idea had been mentioned at the 5/13 meeting.  The members discussed it further and decided they wished to pursude it.  Pam suggested late September or early October would be a good time for the event.  The possible time of day for the event was discussed and it was the consensus of those present that evening would be preferable.  Members would prepare work to read at the event, both fiction and non-fiction, for children and adults.  Jo Ann suggested that light refreshments be offered and the event be held in the larger meeting room.  she volunteered to contact Anne to get her comments about the proposed event.  Jo Ann also noted that an updated member contact list was needed and she offered to ask Anne about that.

In Meeting Writing:  Jo Ann provided the writing prompt for the in meeting writing portion of the meeting.  It was, "This is the life", he said.  "What's left of it," she said."  Jane, bill, Pam and Mohammed read their in meeting writing.

Reading and Critique of Group Members' Writing Submissions:  There were two writing submissions.  Jo Ann submitted her  children's short story, The Wedding Trees, and Pam submitted her nonfiction piece, Uncensored Response to Social Security Disability Questions.

Writers' Reports - Works in Progress, Goals, and Progreses Toward Goals:  There was no discussion.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.  next meeting: June 10, 2009.

Scribe:  Jo Ann

Facilitator: Jo Ann.  The meeting began shortly after 7 PM.

Present:  Pam, Jane, Jo Ann, Muhammad, Bill and Richard.

Minutes:  No minutes were submitted for approval.

Announcements: 

• Muhammad shared information he received on the New Jersey Writer's Conference to be held in Atlantic City in September.  He passed around a brochure with conference information and a web site address.
• Pam shared information she had obtained from reading Writer's Market including the suggestion to maintain an idea log and how to prepare a query letter.
• Jo Ann mentioned the idea of offering a reading of members' works in the fall.  She had found the idea in a book about writers' groups. 
• Jo Ann sent a reminder of tonight's meeting to everyone.  Everyone appreciated that.  It was suggested that in the future the agenda be attached to the notice.

In Meeting Writing:  Jo Ann provided the writing prompt for the in meeting writing portion of the meeting.  It was, "The officer asked, 'Are you Morgan Fields?'  I answered, 'Yes, but...'"  Richard, Jane, Muhammad and Bill read their in meeting writing.

Reading and Critique of Group Members'Writing Submissions:  There were three writing submissions.  Pam submitted Finding Patterns in Astrology; Muhammad submitted Ben Franklin and the Genealogy of Writers' Groups; Jane submitted Does Marriage Really Matter.

Writers' Reports - Works in Progress, Goals, and Progress Toward Goals: 

• Richard has submitted several short stories to his college magazine.
• Pam is going to submit work to writing contests.
• Muhammad will continue work on the Ben Franklin piece.
• Bill is working on a piece about dreams and will have a submission for an upcoming meeting.
• Jane will continue working on her essay on marriage.
• Jo Ann will bring in a children's short story next time.  She is also working on the memoir and a sketch for a novel.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.  Next meeting: May 27, 2009.

Scribe:  Jo Ann