Just Write

Logan Library Writer's Group - April 9, 2008 Meeting Notes

ATENDEES:  Bill Merritt, Muhammad Maruf, Anne Wodnick, Leah Webb

BUSINESS:  Met with Anne Wodnick concerning the new blog.  We recieved a handout with directions for posting and commenting.  This form was to be e-mailed to all in the group.

It was discussed that the group might think about a set limit of people who will show for a meeting.  If less than 4 will be there, we might think about cancelling that night.  But also keep in touch with Catherine before a decision is made in case there is important information that is needed to be shared from Anne, etc.  Also, with summer coming up, it might be nice to keep track when people's vacations, etc. are going to be so we know how to plan for education and writing samples.

WRITING SAMPLES/FEEDBACK:  Bill gave Leah feedback on Joseph script.  He also shared a poem he wrote for his brother's fiance when she passed away.  What a beautiful way to honor her. He will be passing out copies to the rest of the group next week.  He is going to bring info on a poem that his brother wrote about his fiance and her sister that was published.  He is also planning on bringing a work called "Cape May" and then another writing that is of a lighter tone. 

Muhammad is working on a  25 page paper on dreams (in another group).  He has put some of the info he has on dreams on Facebook.  When you go to Facebook, type "society for anthropology of consciousness" and you should be able to find his writing there.

FUTURE EDUCATION, WRITING SUBMISSIONS:   April 23

• Education:  Andrea
• Writing Submissions: Bill and feedback on Andrea's story

April 23, 2008 "Just Write" Meeting Notes

Attendees: Bill Merritt, Andrea Gadson, Jo Ann Laughlin, Joan Romeo

New Member: Dave Warren

Scribe: Joan Romeo

Facilitator: Andrea Gadson

Welcome to new member Dave! We are very happy to have you as part of the group, and we look forward to your contributions. Dave is a published author who writes fiction for young adults.

Educational Segment

Anne Wodnick, Branch Manager, spent the first part of the meeting showing the group how to use the Blog.

Some tips:

Notify Anne at awodnick@gcls.org when you want to submit a post; this will alert Anne that there is a post that needs her approval as Blog Administrator.

When posting on the Blog, use your name or initial to indicate you as the author of the post.

See Blog handout for access instructions.

Critique Segment

The group critiqued a writing sample from Bill Merritt, entitled, "Cape May....my summer utopia."

Bill would like to continue working on this piece and will bring it back again to the next meeting.

The group also critiqued a writing sample from Dave, entitled, "Jest".  Dave also shared some tips on how to submit a query letter.

Upcoming Event:

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 10, 2008. Anne Wodnick has booked author, John Bond. John attended the Circle of Authors conference attended by Anne and has agreed to be a guest speaker for our first meeting in September. Specific information about this upcoming workshop will be available at a later date.

Next Meeting, May 14th, @7pm

Education:    Andrea Gadson

Writing Submission:     Bill Merritt

                                          Andrea Gadson

Meeting notes submitted by:  Joan Romeo

MAY 14, 2008

ATENDEES:  Joan Romeo, Bill Merritt, Catherine Sampson, Leah Webb, Muhammad Maruf, Joanne Laughlin, Gwynne Schaeffer

SCRIBE:  Leah Webb

BUSINESS: 

• Pictures from prior meeting reviewed - will be placed on blog.
• Newly completed brochures distributed to members.
• Meeting notes will be held for approval at next meeting before placing on blog.
• David Warren's book, Promised Land, PA;  Terror Has a New Home is available at the Logan Library.  Take a look.
• Notes, etc from all prior meetings will be archived on the blog.
• Members are encourage to place articles, etc. of interest on the blog.

 EDUCATION:  Gwynne shared a book called A Writers Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You by Ralph Fletcher.

IN MEETING WRITING SAMPLES:  None

WRITING SUBMISSIONS:

• Bill Merritt submitted Cape May. He is deciding if it should be prose or poetry.  Will redo it for next meeting.
• Gwynne has resubmitted her Jamal story for publication.

 OTHER MATTERS:

• Joanne has backlogged copies of writing magazines she will share.
• Author recommendation: Stephenie Meyer/ an American J.D. Rollins.
• Discussion of pros/cons of only reading authors that are of the same style you write.

 NEXT MEETING:

• Education:  Andrea (2nd part of editing)
• Writing submissions: Bill and Andrea
• In-meeting topic: Catherine

ATENDEES:  Muhammad M, Gwynne S, Bill M, Joann L, Leah W, Christine J(first time)

SCRIBE:  Leah W

BUSINESS:

• Reviewed prior meeting notes
• Reminder to check blog for new admissions and electronic copies
• Discussed idea that 2 people be prepared for education in case the first is not there
• Muhammad explained he will be doing geneology/kinship charts
• Discussed how historical events fit with story line and characters

EDUCATION:  Joanne provided writer's magazines for member's use. Discussed articles that fit with people's style and ideas that could be used for future education.

 WRITING SUBMISSIONS:

• Bill: "Seal" story
• Chris: shared memoir of time as a child

NEXT MEETING::

• Education: Andrea or Leah
• Writing submissions: Bill and Andrea (or Leah)

SCRIBE: Leah W

BUSINESS:

• Reviewed prior meeting notes
• Reviewed dates of summer meetings in July and August
• Muhammad shared info about convention in Atlantic City.
• Info received from Craig Newman, past speaker to the writing group.  Expect e-mail.

EDUCATION:  Leah provided a hand-out dealing with competition in the market when writing a book proposal.

OTHER MATTERS:  Discussion on knowing the difference between an untapped market and a "just not-there" market.  Also, if there is no market yet, how to use examples of other authors who took the very first steps in their specific market.

IN-MEETING WRITING:  "Seven days ago--------------, but now nobody will talk to me"

WRITING SUBMISSIONS: 

• Bill:  "Cape May" - more revisions, but in fthe uture, he will add ideas from prior drafts.
• Andrea:"God and His Ant" - she will be placing this up on her own blog when compleed.  Waiting to hear about story she submitted to a contest in "Writer's Digest"
• Leah: feedback and ideas on what to do before submitting script/ contacting churches and finding out if plays get copyrighted.

 NEXT MEETING:  Education: Andrea

ATENDEES:  Bill Meritt, Andrea Gadson, Alex Balsiki, Karen Baliski, Richard Parker, Richard Voza, Leah Webb, Muhammad Maruf, Jo Ann Laughlin, Catherine Sampson

BUSINESS:  Three new members.  Shared meeting structure, our background, our mission, styles of writing of each member, etc.  The group willl meet both times each month during the summer. to comply with library PR.

IN MEETING WRITING:  "That will come back to haunt you"

EDUCATION:  Andrea shared steps for successful editing, activity on passive sentences, types of editing.

WRITING SUBMISSIONS: 

• Muhammad:   "A Geneology of Geneology".  He will be sharing more over the next several months.
• Joanne:  "A Pleasant Land, A Goodly Heritage: Story of a South Jersey Homestead".  She is planning to develop a  book with 3 parts.

NEXT MEETING:

• Education:  Not assigned
• Writings:  Bill, Joanne, Alexa, Richard

SCRIBE: Muhammad Maruf

ATTENDEES: Chris Juliano, Joann Laughlin, Muhammad Ma'ruf, Bill Merritt, Richard Parker

IN-MEETING WRITING EXERCISE: Write a piece to fit the title "Lost Product" in prose, poetry or other form.

EDUCATION : Joann presented explanations of words and expressions describing concepts relevant in wriing narratives. Presentation was based on a 14 page document , derived from a publication of the Nieman Foundation For Journalism.

WRITING SUBMISSIONS: Bill Merritt's "Disaster on Crum Creek" and Muhammad's revised version of "Untitled" (geneology) were read and critiqued.  Also, a continuation of the discussion of Joann's "A Pleasant Land, A Goodly Heritage: The Story of a South Jersey Homestead".

NEXT MEETING: 

• Education (none)
• Writing submissions: Bill, Alexa, Chris

ATENDEES:  Bill Merritt, Muhammad Maruf, Leah Webb, Alexa and Karen

SCRIBE:  Leah Webb

BUSINESS: 

• Review of prior meeting notes
• Prior archives for blog/ Should it be both notes and submissions?
• Book Reccomendation: "Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold
• Discussion concerning education being only once a month

IN-MEETING WRITING: "Write a letter to yourself as if it were from someone you love or dislike"

WRITING SUBMISSIONS: Bill and Alexa shared their writing.  Bill is going to submit his paper "Cape May" to the Cape May Gazette

NEXT MEETING: No assignments

ATENDEES:  Muhammad Maruf, Cheryl Scott (new), Tom Lotito (new), Alexa Baliski, Karen Baliski, Leah Webb

SCRIBE:  Leah Webb

BUSINESS: 

• New blog categories needed for writing submissions (fiction, non-fiction, poetry).
• Introduction of new visitors.  Who they are and what style of writing they want to do.
• Two visiting authors coming to the library in September.  John Bond on Wed. Sept 10th at 7 PM and Kathleen Lindsey ("Run, Feredy, Run") on Sat. Sept. 27th at 11 AM.

IN-MEETING WRITING:  " Possibilities"

WRITING SUBMISSIONS:

• Alexa:  Continuation of "13 With Problems", and "Flowers on the Grave" (a poem).
• Muhammad:  Next segment on Geneology Study
• Leah:  Review of possible submission to the blog

NEXT MEETING:  Visiting author, John Bond  ("You Can Write and Publish a Book:  Essential Information on How to Get Your Book Published")

1. Identify your motives.  Think about why you want to get published.
2. Think about a title.  Give it the speech test (speak it), Google test (research it) and consider whether the title can be made into a website.  Make the title positive as well as easy to spell and remember.
3. Write a three paragraph description of the book then condense it to a single paragraph and then into a single sentence. This helps the writer focus on what he/she wants the book to be about.
4. Create a proposal with a table of contents, an overview, and bio about the author.  Indicate the method of promotion, competition, and the market.  If the book is not yet written, add a schedule for how the book will be written.  Also include a good cover letter and a sample chapter.
5. Make sure that the book is read by as many people as possible ensuring it’s not just family members and friends.  Make the audience diverse, including people outside your target group.

Publishers and agents:

1. Shop for a publisher or agent, keeping in mind that larger publishers will drop the book if it isn’t making money by a certain time.  Big publishers can also be very competitive.  In researching publishers, consider the publisher size (big, regional, small) or if print-on-demand (self-publishing) is better for you.
2. An agent will be needed for a big or mid-size publisher.  Send the agent a query summarizing the cover letter.  Look for agents that handle the same type of book as the one you’re writing, but never pay an agent.  If you have to then that person is really an editor.  To find an agent, look at a book similar to the one you’d like to publish and find out who was the agent. Visit sites like www.publisherslunch.com or a attend an inexpensive writer’s conference to look for agents.
3. Go to the library or bookstore and look for publishers among the books where your book would be shelved.
4. Visit the publisher’s website to assure you have the right person and spell their name correctly.
5. Remember in contract talks that you have no true negotiation power so don’t get caught up in this part of the process.
6. Complete your manuscript and show it to as many people as possible.

While your book is in production, formulate your marketing plan and work on:

1. Business cards
2. Your website
3. A list of speaking engagements
4. Start planning your second book!

SCRIBE:  Leah Webb

ATTENDEES:  Leah Webb, Audrey Rollins, Muhammad Maruf, Andrea Gadson, Alexa Baliski, Karen Baliski, Bill Meritt

BUSINESS:  

• Review of the author John Bond's meeting at library.  His book gives practical steps in writing.  His web-site shows how you can write and publish a book.
• Discussed the need to have more time for in-meeting writing.  Discussed idea of having education once a month and pulling together the in-meeting writing with the education.
• Muhammad will continue reviewing geneology history for the group.  Maybe in the new year we can each develop our own geneology or work on someone of interest in history, etc.

EDUCATION:  "Point of View and Perspective"

• The idea of first and third person narrative
• The idea of time pov (a moment in childhood that is told by the child or remembered by the adult looking back.)

IN-MEETING WRITING:  Customer experience that did not go well, written in first person and third person.

NEXT MEETING:  Muhammad and Bill share writing submissions.

ATTENDEES: Muhammad Maruf, Leah Webb, Elaine Edwards, Lucille Stewart, Andrea Gadson, Chris

SCRIBE: Leah webb

BUSINESS: We nee to spend more time on in-meeting writing.  This is a writing group.   We all need to take the initiative to put writing on the blog.  We need to rethink about our structure as a group.  Why did we form? People need to be more responsible with both coming to the meetings and contacting others to cover for them if they can't attend.  Do we still have a clear goal for what we are as a group and what we want to be doing?  What is our agenda for education?  Should it be restructured?

EDUCATION: Free Writing/ listening to your mind work/ human attributes/ loosen up w/ FW

IN-MEETING WRITING: Free writing the first thing that comes to mind. No editing or re-writing.

NEXT MEETING: Education/ Leah

SUBMISSIONS: Leah, Muhammad

HOLIDAY PARTY: Informal discussion as a group.

ATTENDEES: Muhammad M, Leah W, Jane H, Joanne, Bill M, Pam C

SCRIBE: Leah W

BUSINESS:

• Update on blogging and e-mail addresses
• Review of holiday group discussion ideas
• Group discussion of idea that all will try to read something at the meeting even if just in-meeting writing.  This shows commitment.

IN-MEETING WRITING: "I struggled at the beginning......."

WRITING SUBMISSION:

• Leah/ 1st 5 pages of "Joseph" monologue
• Jo Anne/ part of her memoir piece 

NEXT MEETING: Jan. 28 meeting with Anne

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

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 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 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:  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

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:  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