Postings
NEWS
From Tuesday 2 November 2021 our meetings will be held in The Crown Inn, Biggar.
Please note: this is a change to the original plan which was to relaunch at the Crown on the 26th October. However, some teething problems have led to the delay.
Recent Meetings
Tuesday 27 July 2021
This week’s evening began with a return to our ‘5-minute scribble.’
Maggie opened with an initially disturbing account of a worrying text from her mother ‘Call me asap!’ Conscious of the fact said mother had already suffered one stroke, Maggie was relieved, if that is the right word, to find ‘mother’ thought she had been victim of a scam. Hastily cancelled bank cards and a phone call to the accounts manager put paid to the chance of any losses, but a sobering lesson, in what has become an absolute minefield of scammers, to be ever vigilant.
Neil continued with an announcement that Mrs Neil (Heather) has become the ‘Monty Don Diva of Biggar!’ and whilst she may relish in such a past-time, it holds as much interest to Neil as ‘extreme ironing.’ Nevertheless, ever willing to show willing, he managed to dig, not one, not two, but three holes, so that Herbaceous Heather could reposition her plants (according to Monty Don that is!)
Stephen’s piece questioned the existence of the ‘Spirit’ world in that having decided to sell his wife’s car, a car which was running great and looking good, it suddenly decided it was not going to start! Mary, Stephen’s wife, had purchased the car some four years ago, using funds left to her by her late father. And now (!) it was as if he was telling her ‘Oh no you’re not, think your selling my wee car? No chance!’ Nonsense I know, but the timing was spot on. One new starter motor later, it’s definitely going up for sale … I think!
Jonathan reflected on the writer’s reference ‘Show, don’t tell.’ On route to a vaccination appointment and passing through Wishaw, he noticed an open-windowed public house promoting ‘Cheapest pint of venom in Wishaw.’ He didn’t need to go inside to picture exactly the type of establishment it was. One of its clientele was already staggering into, or was it out of the place as an assortment of other various tattooed, scruffily dressed gentlemen of leisure partook of the dubious menu on offer. A neat observation.
Moving on, we discussed the contributions made to our last ‘Homework Challenge,’ themes based upon the word ‘Despicable.’
Once again and disappointingly there were only a few who rose to the challenge.
Neil drafted an excellent tale of an unlikeable, greedy, avaricious senior member of staff, who, having gone out of his way to make life miserable for those around him, was caught out through his own greed and arrogance and humiliatingly dismissed and escorted off the company premises. Not surprisingly other group members have had similar experiences of bosses who could not manage and did their best to stop wiser, smarter people from progressing, ‘Despicable!’
Stephen summarised a miserable five years at the hands of a racist, evil, intimidating, neighbour, hell bent on making his life and those lives of his immediate family as difficult as he could. The reason? Who knows. Because of his age, 76, the authorities always appeared reluctant to deal with him in a manner his behaviour warranted. This made matters worse. Where I come from, Liverpool, there is a very sharp, swift and effective conclusion to such nonsense, but in such a pc, woke society this type of creature can do what he wants, when he wants, without fear of retribution. Thank goodness then for CCTV, which was ultimately his undoing. On Friday 16th July 2021, he was found guilty of all charges; stalking my wife and daughter-in-law, threatening & abusive behaviour, carrying a dangerous weapon and acting in a threatening manner in a public place. Sentencing, deferred until 12th August, is pending social and background reports. The judge was satisfied with the overwhelming evidence against this ‘despicable’ person.
Subject matter for our next ‘challenge’ was discussed and the topic agreed is The Olympics. You can address that as you will, whether a poem, a short story or whatever, as long as it relates to the Olympics.
This week’s evening began with a return to our ‘5-minute scribble.’
Maggie opened with an initially disturbing account of a worrying text from her mother ‘Call me asap!’ Conscious of the fact said mother had already suffered one stroke, Maggie was relieved, if that is the right word, to find ‘mother’ thought she had been victim of a scam. Hastily cancelled bank cards and a phone call to the accounts manager put paid to the chance of any losses, but a sobering lesson, in what has become an absolute minefield of scammers, to be ever vigilant.
Neil continued with an announcement that Mrs Neil (Heather) has become the ‘Monty Don Diva of Biggar!’ and whilst she may relish in such a past-time, it holds as much interest to Neil as ‘extreme ironing.’ Nevertheless, ever willing to show willing, he managed to dig, not one, not two, but three holes, so that Herbaceous Heather could reposition her plants (according to Monty Don that is!)
Stephen’s piece questioned the existence of the ‘Spirit’ world in that having decided to sell his wife’s car, a car which was running great and looking good, it suddenly decided it was not going to start! Mary, Stephen’s wife, had purchased the car some four years ago, using funds left to her by her late father. And now (!) it was as if he was telling her ‘Oh no you’re not, think your selling my wee car? No chance!’ Nonsense I know, but the timing was spot on. One new starter motor later, it’s definitely going up for sale … I think!
Jonathan reflected on the writer’s reference ‘Show, don’t tell.’ On route to a vaccination appointment and passing through Wishaw, he noticed an open-windowed public house promoting ‘Cheapest pint of venom in Wishaw.’ He didn’t need to go inside to picture exactly the type of establishment it was. One of its clientele was already staggering into, or was it out of the place as an assortment of other various tattooed, scruffily dressed gentlemen of leisure partook of the dubious menu on offer. A neat observation.
Moving on, we discussed the contributions made to our last ‘Homework Challenge,’ themes based upon the word ‘Despicable.’
Once again and disappointingly there were only a few who rose to the challenge.
Neil drafted an excellent tale of an unlikeable, greedy, avaricious senior member of staff, who, having gone out of his way to make life miserable for those around him, was caught out through his own greed and arrogance and humiliatingly dismissed and escorted off the company premises. Not surprisingly other group members have had similar experiences of bosses who could not manage and did their best to stop wiser, smarter people from progressing, ‘Despicable!’
Stephen summarised a miserable five years at the hands of a racist, evil, intimidating, neighbour, hell bent on making his life and those lives of his immediate family as difficult as he could. The reason? Who knows. Because of his age, 76, the authorities always appeared reluctant to deal with him in a manner his behaviour warranted. This made matters worse. Where I come from, Liverpool, there is a very sharp, swift and effective conclusion to such nonsense, but in such a pc, woke society this type of creature can do what he wants, when he wants, without fear of retribution. Thank goodness then for CCTV, which was ultimately his undoing. On Friday 16th July 2021, he was found guilty of all charges; stalking my wife and daughter-in-law, threatening & abusive behaviour, carrying a dangerous weapon and acting in a threatening manner in a public place. Sentencing, deferred until 12th August, is pending social and background reports. The judge was satisfied with the overwhelming evidence against this ‘despicable’ person.
Subject matter for our next ‘challenge’ was discussed and the topic agreed is The Olympics. You can address that as you will, whether a poem, a short story or whatever, as long as it relates to the Olympics.
Tuesday 18 May 2021
A sparsely attended meeting exacerbated by the loss of Stephen prior to the meeting, having taken a welcome last minute break with his family. We will have to wait for his presentation of Wandel, the fairy tale he is developing following comments at the last meeting. We lost Maggie, too, early in the meeting due to connectivity problems.
For our opening 5-minute scribble Jonathan related a tale around his dog, again, and Neil presented - again - a piece about the iniquities of growing old. Jane came up trumps with a Hamlet pastiche bemoaning the conflict of the daily duty of chores and the daily devotion to writing. Well done Jane, clever and inspiring.
The fairy tale "fun" challenge is proving to be anything but fun, except perhaps for the absent Stephen. Instead we concentrated our discussions on our current writing projects. Jane's novel is coming together with the encouragement of an agent who has drawn her attention to the present, apparent, topicality of Down's Syndrome. This is important because one of the major characters in Jane's novel is someone with Down's Syndrome. So Jane is following the emerging stories/news items with obvious interest. Meanwhile Jonathan has been developing a novel of his own, and he is very much in the planning phase. Inspired by various sources he's tackling the planning with something of military precision. Is this because the novel concerns a character - a female officer-soldier - he recently created in one of his short stories? Who knows? In any case, we wish him well since we all remember the character with much fondness and we're intrigued to see what he's going to do with her.
In other matters, Neil reported he'd been to Biggar Library recently and there does not appear to be any proposal to lease the meeting room there quite yet. Recognising a rapidly changing environment, Neil agreed to check again soon. In any case, Jonathan advised caution about resuming meetings which might involve participants from as many as 5 (or more) households, some of whom may not be vaccinated against Covid.
Jane reported that the Corn Exchange were holding their AGM - by Zoom - on the 27th May. We might consider sending an emissary to establish some link with them and make our existence more widely known. Neil agreed to take up the matter with Maggie, who we believe has some connection with the CE already.
No new "fun challenge" was set and we expect the next meeting - Tuesday 1 June - to focus again on our current personal writing projects.
A sparsely attended meeting exacerbated by the loss of Stephen prior to the meeting, having taken a welcome last minute break with his family. We will have to wait for his presentation of Wandel, the fairy tale he is developing following comments at the last meeting. We lost Maggie, too, early in the meeting due to connectivity problems.
For our opening 5-minute scribble Jonathan related a tale around his dog, again, and Neil presented - again - a piece about the iniquities of growing old. Jane came up trumps with a Hamlet pastiche bemoaning the conflict of the daily duty of chores and the daily devotion to writing. Well done Jane, clever and inspiring.
The fairy tale "fun" challenge is proving to be anything but fun, except perhaps for the absent Stephen. Instead we concentrated our discussions on our current writing projects. Jane's novel is coming together with the encouragement of an agent who has drawn her attention to the present, apparent, topicality of Down's Syndrome. This is important because one of the major characters in Jane's novel is someone with Down's Syndrome. So Jane is following the emerging stories/news items with obvious interest. Meanwhile Jonathan has been developing a novel of his own, and he is very much in the planning phase. Inspired by various sources he's tackling the planning with something of military precision. Is this because the novel concerns a character - a female officer-soldier - he recently created in one of his short stories? Who knows? In any case, we wish him well since we all remember the character with much fondness and we're intrigued to see what he's going to do with her.
In other matters, Neil reported he'd been to Biggar Library recently and there does not appear to be any proposal to lease the meeting room there quite yet. Recognising a rapidly changing environment, Neil agreed to check again soon. In any case, Jonathan advised caution about resuming meetings which might involve participants from as many as 5 (or more) households, some of whom may not be vaccinated against Covid.
Jane reported that the Corn Exchange were holding their AGM - by Zoom - on the 27th May. We might consider sending an emissary to establish some link with them and make our existence more widely known. Neil agreed to take up the matter with Maggie, who we believe has some connection with the CE already.
No new "fun challenge" was set and we expect the next meeting - Tuesday 1 June - to focus again on our current personal writing projects.
Tuesday 4th May 2021
Proceedings were opened with our 5-minute scramble. In this, Maggie reflected on a day when she became increasingly aware of the parts of her inner self. Feeling a lack of motivation, Maggie had a good talk with herself, her inner good side frequently at odds with her inner delinquent side, but we are not too sure which side came out on top! Good luck with that Maggie and here’s the number of a very good doctor who may be able to help … (Dr Hugh Merrus 01555 555 5555). Neil spent all day writing and editing the book wot he has writ. He did have a go at our latest homework challenge but was away with the fairies, so did not manage to finish it after his mind wandered off trying to understand James Christie’s obsession with Buffy The Vampire! (see number already passed to Maggie). Stephen recounted a frustrating visit to his ma in laws’ nursing home. Having been incarcerated for over a year, this week the home announced prisoners residents would be allowed to go out for one hour, and only one hour, with immediate family, on the strict condition same immediate family tested negative for corona virus! Why only one hour was beyond him. Nevertheless, the fuehrer had spoken and one hour it was. Just as we heard the dogs and sirens we drew into the home’s car park and duly returned our ward. Absolute nonsense.
And so to the homework (fun) challenge. As mentioned above, whilst Neil made a gallant effort at the task, he was unable to complete his promising tale of ‘Enchanted Toffee’ but he did say he would chew it over and have something ready for our next meeting. Similarly, although Maggie had earlier attended a workshop on matters mystical, she too had not managed to produce the finished article. Although Stephen did submit a short story, by his own admission he accepted it was unfinished and after discussing the matter between us, it was decided we would extend the deadline on this subject until our next meeting on Tuesday 18th May.
Moving on, item 3 on the agenda was a spot for anyone with original work of their own, to share and discuss it. Although all present are currently working on various projects, none were ready to be presented. This topic will roll over to our next meeting, when hopefully there will be work to discuss.
At our recent AGM, the subject of Biggar Writers’ Constitution was raised. It was felt we should perhaps give consideration to its relevance in todays’ climate of wokeness and gender issues. Accordingly, a copy was emailed to all current members and those present at Tuesday’s meeting did discuss the matter and came to the conclusion that whilst it is a bit generic and bland, it does meet the Group’s requirements and is therefore, fit for purpose with no changes required.
As time was, by now, moving on, we decided to leave out the Fun Writing Sprint and talk about our current reading and matters literary. In opening our chat, Neil reminded us it is 12-months since we had to leave the Library Reading Room, yet despite initial teething problems we have seen a successful year in terms of ‘virtual’ meetings held, attended and enjoyed. Thanks to all involved.
We are all reading something at the moment and Neil is working his way through Ernest Hemingway’s ‘The Old Man And The Sea’ which by pure chance was featured in our Book of the Week’ in our last Group e-mail. Without doubt, some of the old classics are exactly that ‘classics.’ In stark contrast, Neil also proffered the Czech writer Milan Kundera as an inspirational author. Although born in Czechoslavakia, following the Russian invasion in 1968, Kundera, always a communist reformer, stayed until 1975, but then left to live in France, where, at the age of 92, he still resides today. Always writing in French, Kundera is essentially a novelist, short-story writer, playwright, essayist, and poet whose works combine erotic comedy with political criticism and philosophical speculation. His most noteable works include; ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’ and ‘The Book of Laughter and Forgetting.’
Maggie shared with us her current penchant for writer and coach Nick Thorpe. Two of his works, ‘The Urban Warrior’ and ‘Adrift in Caledonia’ are centred around the process of self-improvement, accompanying his readers on their own inner journeys of discovery, addressing mid-life transition, parenthood and creative processes. ‘Adrift in Caledonia’ focuses on one particular morning in the month of May, when Thorpe left his Edinburgh flat, ducked off the commuter route and hitched a ride aboard a little white canal boat, heading west towards the sea. This was, he wrote, the first mutinous step in a delightful boat-hopping odyssey that would take him 2,500 miles through Scotland’s canals, lochs and coastal waters, from the industrial Clyde to the scattered islands of Viking Shetland. Nice gig if you can get it!
Stephen’s current read is a change from his usual type of book, although as ever, he chooses books to entertain. City of Vengeance is by local author D V Bishop. It begins in the year 1536, is set in Florence and introduces Cesare Aldo, an officer of the city’s feared criminal court, who has just four days to solve the murder of a prominent moneylender. These last few years, in fact since joining with Biggar Writers, I have had the time and opportunity to catch up on reading for pleasure. As a child, I grew up in a home where my father was a prolific reader. I remember one wall in the house was a complete bookshelf, floor to ceiling, side to side. So many books, J. D. Salinger - The Catcher in the Rye; Ralph Ellison - Invisible Man,Jack Kerouac - On the Road and authors such as Ray Bradbury, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinback, Harold Pinter, John Le Carre, Neville Shute and Erle Stanley Gardner. I cannot claim to have read even a fraction of them, but I realise now the importance of reading and of variety in your reading material if you have any aspirations to become a writer.
Before we edged into our final topic of Any Other Business, Maggie also mentioned Concrete Poetry, Brain Pickings and The Binding, which is covered in our ‘Book of the Week.’
‘Concrete poetry’ is an arrangement of linguistic elements in which the typographical effect is more important in conveying meaning than verbal significance. It is sometimes referred to as visual poetry, a term that has now developed a distinct meaning of its own.
‘Brain Pickings’ is a weekly email digest of a daily online journal by Maria Popova. Maria has spent tens of thousands of hours, made many personal sacrifices and invested tremendous resources for over a decade to produce Brain Pickings, which remains free and ad-free and alive thanks to reader patronage. Topics appear to vary greatly, but have recently included gardening as resistance, an ornithologist on the spirituality of science and nature as worship and a Nobel-winning poet's ode to our cosmic humanity and matters poetic.
In our Any Other Business section, Neil advised he has been in touch with the library and whilst it is now open, services are limited to book lending. At the time of writing we remain uncertain when other services will be available and when we may return there for our fortnightly meetings. Neil has confirmed he will keep us up to date on this.
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge,’ remains as before, to produce a short fairy story. Good luck.
Tuesday 20th April 2021
Opened with the Group’s annual AGM. A copy of the minutes is included as an addendum at the end of this report.
The next spot on our agenda was for members to offer a presentation of their work. Whilst most of us have been a little too busy to have prepared anything for this, Stevie (Mercurio) Calveley did produce chapters 3 and 4 of his much anticipated thriller ‘Priest’. Well he said it is much anticipated! Watch this space for the next episode.
As time was moving on, we decided rather than begin a ‘Fun Writing Sprint’ we would have an open discussion about matters literary. Neil opened with his positive thoughts on Japanese author Haruki Murakami. Now, being an exponent of the Japanese arts myself, (modesty would normally prevent me mentioning my pink socks in origami) I found Neil’s talk most interesting.
Murakami is a Japanese writer, who’s books and stories have been bestsellers both in Japan and internationally. His most successful books include ‘Hear the Wind Sing,’ ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,’ and ‘After Dark.’ Murakami has an enigmatic, deadpan style, which is full of big emotions sheared flat by repression and presented with a detachment that, unusually for a novelist who sells in the millions, has given him a cult-like status.
Adding to his Asian theme, Neil also recommended ‘Klara and the Sun,’ the first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. This tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in a downtown store, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. This is said to be a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator and one that explores the fundamental question: What does it mean to love?
Jane recommended a good and informative read in John Yorke’s ‘Into the Woods.’ Not a work of fiction by any means but ‘Into the Woods’ is considered to be the foremost UK text on narrative structure. It is required reading on all university writing degrees and is the UK’s bestselling book on screenwriting.
The book argues that all stories share the same blueprint, because they reflect the way in which the human brain makes sense of the world. Storytelling is hardwired into human perception such that we cannot not tell stories and we can all do it innately.
Into the Woods analyses how and most innovatively why this blueprint works, based on John Yorke’s decades of experience not only studying and teaching five-act structure, but making film and TV drama watched by millions of people around the globe.
It is claimed this book is as relevant to the scientific and software industries as to the creative sector, and of practical use to everyone from bid writers to screenwriters.
In keeping with the topic of guides to writing, Jonathan recommended the series of ‘Save The Cat’ books, in particular ‘Save The Cat Writes A Novel’ by Jessica Brody. This is the first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.
Originally created for screenwriters, the Save the Cat! story-structure method provides compelling tips and tricks to make your novel as riveting as a film, because whether you are writing a fantasy series, a romance, or the next Great American Novel, every captivating story throughout time (from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie) has the same 15 essential plot points, or ‘beats.’
In this revolutionary guide, Jessica Brody demystifies each beat, making it simple to craft your own best seller with easy-to-follow templates. It also reveals the 10 universal story genres to help you drill down into what makes your type of story work.
Featuring sample ‘beat sheets’ for hits from the likes of J. K. Rowling, Khaled Hosseini, and Stephen King, this practical guide also includes real-world advice on pitching your novel, plus the quirky, original insights (like the eponymous tip to “Save the Cat”) that make this series unique. By the end of this book, apparently your own imaginative beats will combine to create a story that thrills readers from start to finish.
Jane also made reference to author William Makepeace Thackeray. Thackeray was an Indian-born British novelist, author and illustrator and is best known for his satirical works, in particular his 1848 novel ‘Vanity Fair’ a panoramic portrait of British society and his 1844 novel ‘The Luck of Barry Lyndon,’ which was adapted for a 1975 film by Stanley Kubrick.
Jane, clearly rising to her subject, also made mention of the poem ‘Paradise Lost.’ There are some critics who claim this is the greatest epic poem in the English language, second only to Shakespeare. Rarely read in our current modern world and some 350-years old, it remains a work of unparalleled imaginative genius that shapes English literature even today. In over 10,000 lines of blank verse, it tells the story of the war for heaven and of man’s expulsion from Eden. Its dozen sections are an ambitious attempt to comprehend the loss of paradise, from the perspectives of the fallen angel Satan and of man, fallen from grace. Even to readers in a secular age, the poem is a powerful meditation on rebellion, longing and the desire for redemption.
Maggie told us about a workshop she had attended and which was held by Janis McKay. Janis McKay is from Edinburgh. She was a journalist on Fleet Street, but realising this was not the kind of writing she wanted to do went round the world having all kinds of adventures; sailing yachts, sleeping on beaches, looking after children, working on kibbutz and then back to Scotland.
She became a storyteller, drama teacher, voice teacher and … a writer. The Scottish Arts Council sent her to the far north of Scotland to be a writer in residence and she won the Kelpies prize 2009 for her first novel, Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest.
Janis offers a number of writing courses including; Writing for Children, Kindling the Creative, Life Writing, Manuscript Critiquing and Mentoring, One Year Novel Writing Course and From Fairytale to New Story.
Maggie chose the last topic which was designed to find inspiration from myth and fairy tales to write contemporary fiction. The workshop takes you into the rich well of oral story and from there, onto the written page. It is claimed many writers have found inspiration from the wealth of story lore that exists in the oral tradition; the workshop expands on this and encourages writers to produce gritty realism or fantasy, for both adults and children.
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge’ for the next meeting has been inspired by Maggie and her workshop ‘From Fairy tale to New Story.’ The task is to produce a short fairy story. Good luck with that.
Opened with the Group’s annual AGM. A copy of the minutes is included as an addendum at the end of this report.
The next spot on our agenda was for members to offer a presentation of their work. Whilst most of us have been a little too busy to have prepared anything for this, Stevie (Mercurio) Calveley did produce chapters 3 and 4 of his much anticipated thriller ‘Priest’. Well he said it is much anticipated! Watch this space for the next episode.
As time was moving on, we decided rather than begin a ‘Fun Writing Sprint’ we would have an open discussion about matters literary. Neil opened with his positive thoughts on Japanese author Haruki Murakami. Now, being an exponent of the Japanese arts myself, (modesty would normally prevent me mentioning my pink socks in origami) I found Neil’s talk most interesting.
Murakami is a Japanese writer, who’s books and stories have been bestsellers both in Japan and internationally. His most successful books include ‘Hear the Wind Sing,’ ‘The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle,’ and ‘After Dark.’ Murakami has an enigmatic, deadpan style, which is full of big emotions sheared flat by repression and presented with a detachment that, unusually for a novelist who sells in the millions, has given him a cult-like status.
Adding to his Asian theme, Neil also recommended ‘Klara and the Sun,’ the first novel by Kazuo Ishiguro since he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. This tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in a downtown store, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. This is said to be a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator and one that explores the fundamental question: What does it mean to love?
Jane recommended a good and informative read in John Yorke’s ‘Into the Woods.’ Not a work of fiction by any means but ‘Into the Woods’ is considered to be the foremost UK text on narrative structure. It is required reading on all university writing degrees and is the UK’s bestselling book on screenwriting.
The book argues that all stories share the same blueprint, because they reflect the way in which the human brain makes sense of the world. Storytelling is hardwired into human perception such that we cannot not tell stories and we can all do it innately.
Into the Woods analyses how and most innovatively why this blueprint works, based on John Yorke’s decades of experience not only studying and teaching five-act structure, but making film and TV drama watched by millions of people around the globe.
It is claimed this book is as relevant to the scientific and software industries as to the creative sector, and of practical use to everyone from bid writers to screenwriters.
In keeping with the topic of guides to writing, Jonathan recommended the series of ‘Save The Cat’ books, in particular ‘Save The Cat Writes A Novel’ by Jessica Brody. This is the first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.
Originally created for screenwriters, the Save the Cat! story-structure method provides compelling tips and tricks to make your novel as riveting as a film, because whether you are writing a fantasy series, a romance, or the next Great American Novel, every captivating story throughout time (from Jane Austen to Agatha Christie) has the same 15 essential plot points, or ‘beats.’
In this revolutionary guide, Jessica Brody demystifies each beat, making it simple to craft your own best seller with easy-to-follow templates. It also reveals the 10 universal story genres to help you drill down into what makes your type of story work.
Featuring sample ‘beat sheets’ for hits from the likes of J. K. Rowling, Khaled Hosseini, and Stephen King, this practical guide also includes real-world advice on pitching your novel, plus the quirky, original insights (like the eponymous tip to “Save the Cat”) that make this series unique. By the end of this book, apparently your own imaginative beats will combine to create a story that thrills readers from start to finish.
Jane also made reference to author William Makepeace Thackeray. Thackeray was an Indian-born British novelist, author and illustrator and is best known for his satirical works, in particular his 1848 novel ‘Vanity Fair’ a panoramic portrait of British society and his 1844 novel ‘The Luck of Barry Lyndon,’ which was adapted for a 1975 film by Stanley Kubrick.
Jane, clearly rising to her subject, also made mention of the poem ‘Paradise Lost.’ There are some critics who claim this is the greatest epic poem in the English language, second only to Shakespeare. Rarely read in our current modern world and some 350-years old, it remains a work of unparalleled imaginative genius that shapes English literature even today. In over 10,000 lines of blank verse, it tells the story of the war for heaven and of man’s expulsion from Eden. Its dozen sections are an ambitious attempt to comprehend the loss of paradise, from the perspectives of the fallen angel Satan and of man, fallen from grace. Even to readers in a secular age, the poem is a powerful meditation on rebellion, longing and the desire for redemption.
Maggie told us about a workshop she had attended and which was held by Janis McKay. Janis McKay is from Edinburgh. She was a journalist on Fleet Street, but realising this was not the kind of writing she wanted to do went round the world having all kinds of adventures; sailing yachts, sleeping on beaches, looking after children, working on kibbutz and then back to Scotland.
She became a storyteller, drama teacher, voice teacher and … a writer. The Scottish Arts Council sent her to the far north of Scotland to be a writer in residence and she won the Kelpies prize 2009 for her first novel, Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest.
Janis offers a number of writing courses including; Writing for Children, Kindling the Creative, Life Writing, Manuscript Critiquing and Mentoring, One Year Novel Writing Course and From Fairytale to New Story.
Maggie chose the last topic which was designed to find inspiration from myth and fairy tales to write contemporary fiction. The workshop takes you into the rich well of oral story and from there, onto the written page. It is claimed many writers have found inspiration from the wealth of story lore that exists in the oral tradition; the workshop expands on this and encourages writers to produce gritty realism or fantasy, for both adults and children.
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge’ for the next meeting has been inspired by Maggie and her workshop ‘From Fairy tale to New Story.’ The task is to produce a short fairy story. Good luck with that.
Biggar Writers Group
Annual General Meeting 2021
Date and Time: Tuesday 20 April, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Location: Zoom conference.
Charity Number: SC039762
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://biggarwriters.weebly.com
In attendance were:
Jonathan Morton-Nicholls
Neil Edmonds
Jane Brydon
Maggie McGeary
Stephen Calveley
Apologies were received from Mandy Meikle
1. Minutes of previous AGM:
Minutes of the previous AGM, held (via Zoom) on 16th June 2020, were not produced on the evening. However, for those not already in possession of same, a copy has been attached.
2. Annual Report by the Chairperson:
Our chairperson produced a summary report giving an overview of the group’s activities since our last AGM, which of course took into consideration the Corona Virus-19 pandemic, but which also noted how the group had adapted well to the situation. It acknowledged too, that many excellent and interesting pieces of work had been produced by our active members.
3. Statement of Accounts:
Although no statement of accounts has been distributed, Jonathan advised we had an income of 20p … yes 20p. It has been a quiet year! Obviously we have been unable to have our fortnightly meetings at the Library Reading Room, so it was good of Jonathan not to charge us for sitting at home. Seriously though, with the anticipated relaxation on Covid rules affecting public meetings, we would hope at some point in the not too distant future, we will be able to return to our regular haunt and in doing so, give Jonathan a little more to deal with.
4. Election of Office Bearers:
A review of the current status resulted in an overwhelming confirmation that the Office Bearers presently holding those positions, should continue to do so. These are as follows:
Chairperson: Neil Edmonds
Treasurer: Jonathan Morton-Nicholls
Secretary: Stephen Calveley
5. Confirmation of Independent Financial Examiner:
It was agreed, this is not necessary at present.
6. Charity Status: Jonathan explained that to end the Group’s charity status would involve a certain amount of work, which, when determining the pros and cons, would simply not be worth the effort. This was agreed by all present.
7. Revue of the constitution:
As we did not have the written constitution available for the AGM, it was decided a copy would be sent out to each current, active member and in view of the current ‘WOKE’ climate, we would consider its content and discuss at our next meeting, if any of us felt any changes should be made. A copy is, therefore, attached.
8. Any Other Business:
In an open discussion, we mentioned this years’ Biggar Little Festival. At the time of writing, it is unsure exactly what format this will be for 2021. We will look into this and provide any updates as they happen. How the Festival may or may not affect Biggar Writers remains to be seen.
We also touched on membership numbers. Whilst the general opinion is that we would like two or three more regular, active members, we would not want the Group to become too big.
9. Items unlikely to require discussion this year.
There were none.
Annual General Meeting 2021
Date and Time: Tuesday 20 April, 2021 at 7:30 pm
Location: Zoom conference.
Charity Number: SC039762
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://biggarwriters.weebly.com
In attendance were:
Jonathan Morton-Nicholls
Neil Edmonds
Jane Brydon
Maggie McGeary
Stephen Calveley
Apologies were received from Mandy Meikle
1. Minutes of previous AGM:
Minutes of the previous AGM, held (via Zoom) on 16th June 2020, were not produced on the evening. However, for those not already in possession of same, a copy has been attached.
2. Annual Report by the Chairperson:
Our chairperson produced a summary report giving an overview of the group’s activities since our last AGM, which of course took into consideration the Corona Virus-19 pandemic, but which also noted how the group had adapted well to the situation. It acknowledged too, that many excellent and interesting pieces of work had been produced by our active members.
3. Statement of Accounts:
Although no statement of accounts has been distributed, Jonathan advised we had an income of 20p … yes 20p. It has been a quiet year! Obviously we have been unable to have our fortnightly meetings at the Library Reading Room, so it was good of Jonathan not to charge us for sitting at home. Seriously though, with the anticipated relaxation on Covid rules affecting public meetings, we would hope at some point in the not too distant future, we will be able to return to our regular haunt and in doing so, give Jonathan a little more to deal with.
4. Election of Office Bearers:
A review of the current status resulted in an overwhelming confirmation that the Office Bearers presently holding those positions, should continue to do so. These are as follows:
Chairperson: Neil Edmonds
Treasurer: Jonathan Morton-Nicholls
Secretary: Stephen Calveley
5. Confirmation of Independent Financial Examiner:
It was agreed, this is not necessary at present.
6. Charity Status: Jonathan explained that to end the Group’s charity status would involve a certain amount of work, which, when determining the pros and cons, would simply not be worth the effort. This was agreed by all present.
7. Revue of the constitution:
As we did not have the written constitution available for the AGM, it was decided a copy would be sent out to each current, active member and in view of the current ‘WOKE’ climate, we would consider its content and discuss at our next meeting, if any of us felt any changes should be made. A copy is, therefore, attached.
8. Any Other Business:
In an open discussion, we mentioned this years’ Biggar Little Festival. At the time of writing, it is unsure exactly what format this will be for 2021. We will look into this and provide any updates as they happen. How the Festival may or may not affect Biggar Writers remains to be seen.
We also touched on membership numbers. Whilst the general opinion is that we would like two or three more regular, active members, we would not want the Group to become too big.
9. Items unlikely to require discussion this year.
There were none.
Tuesday, 6th April
As is becoming the norm, a well attended meeting and at the end of the evening we all agreed it had been a most enjoyable and entertaining experience.
Our ‘5-minute scribble’ opened with Stephen sharing a warm, enjoyable, but hard working stint babysitting his 6-month old granddaughter. They chatted, sang, laughed and cried and also enjoyed numerous episodes of Paddington Bear. A priceless experience.
Jane had not such a good day when facing an uncouth youth as he littered her local street. Jane’s dog too, was even less impressed and felt the need to bare its teeth and go for said youth. Jonathan’s day did not start off too well, with back and knee pains sustained as a consequence of his rat catching adventure with neighbour Richard. Richard’s spaniel had alerted them to rodent activity in the wood shed. Further investigation revealed a very recent nest, but even this did not prepare them for the shock appearance of said inhabitant of nest, ‘Roland’ the most unfriendly rat. Richard grabbed an axe and became possessed of the devil as he lurched after ‘Roland ‘and in his enthusiastic haste, narrowly missed Jonathan, who was sent sprawling. Not quite the day he had planned!
Neil’s day was not too good either. His faithful Toyota went into the local garage for a minor check up, which turned out to be anything but minor. Bearing in mind his use of the car has dropped significantly since retiring, the cost of maintaining it has risen out of all proportion! Happy motoring old chap!
Following the ‘scribble’ we looked at our homework challenge, which was to write a short screenplay based upon six characters in a hairdressers.
Stephen read his ‘Total E-clips of the bun,’ set in Liverpool and featuring mother and daughter salon owners, Chloe and Sharon, a regular, older customer Mrs Arkwright, Chloe’s irreverent mother Maisie and carer Doreen with her charge, the elderly Mrs Ramsbottom. Chloe’s latest beau, another chancer according to Sharon, was the subject of her texting, with the situation going from her looking forward to seeing him, to deciding to finish with him finally agreeing a hot date. Mrs Arkwright came in determined to try something bold rather than her usual cut and perm. A Katy Perry special was definitely what she wanted … or was it? Mrs Ramsbottom recalled an experience with dear friend Gladys, when they were accosted by a flasher, whilst Maisie kept up a torrent of sarcasm, general abuse and complaints until she decided to go and buy milk … at the local pub!
Jonathan’s contribution took a far more sinister turn. Salon owner Sarah is unfortunately in an abusive relationship with her controlling partner Graham. Graham was not always like this, but his business endeavours failed where Sarah’s succeeded and there is resentment. He needs money and seems prepared to do whatever necessary to obtain it. Possessive and jealous, Graham spies on Sarah and lets his imagination think the worst. He plots to set fire to the salon and after enlisting a friend, breaks in and starts the inferno, which, he thinks, will release a heavy insurance payment. Graham’s assistant isn’t so sure. When he queries Graham over the tenant in the flat above the salon, Graham dismisses him, stating there’s nobody in, whilst knowing there is at least one person there, a good looking male he has seen talking to Sarah and who he thinks may be carrying on with her. We, the readers, are left dangling as the fire takes hold with Graham and his accomplice beating a hasty retreat, whilst the two upstairs occupants are unaware of their pending doom! Wow. More please.
Jane’s take was quite different. Her ‘Sunshine Salon’ is owned by Mable ‘Sunshine’ Williams, a middle-aged Jamaican lady. Mable is married to Mr Williams and they have two sons, Ambrose, who is autistic and Eithan, a budding singer who is in to Bob Marley music. The conversation, which involves an elderly customer Joyce, evolves around a misunderstanding. Ambrose has been tested for autism and has received a letter advising him of the outcome. He, however, misunderstands it and rather than being on the autism spectrum, Ambrose thinks he is on the artistic spectrum and promptly signs up for an arts course and purchases all the necessary equipment to begin his new interest of painting. Mr Williams, rather than discuss the issue with Mable, takes the easy way out and thinks everything will work out ok. Despite Mable pointing out the error, even the customer Joyce observes that it will be nice for Mable to have an artist in the family. Excellent, very Broon’s like in its plot.
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge,’ for the next meeting is simply to bring in something which you may currently be working on. As it is also our AGM, time permitting, we will listen and give feedback on anything you wish to present to the group.
As is becoming the norm, a well attended meeting and at the end of the evening we all agreed it had been a most enjoyable and entertaining experience.
Our ‘5-minute scribble’ opened with Stephen sharing a warm, enjoyable, but hard working stint babysitting his 6-month old granddaughter. They chatted, sang, laughed and cried and also enjoyed numerous episodes of Paddington Bear. A priceless experience.
Jane had not such a good day when facing an uncouth youth as he littered her local street. Jane’s dog too, was even less impressed and felt the need to bare its teeth and go for said youth. Jonathan’s day did not start off too well, with back and knee pains sustained as a consequence of his rat catching adventure with neighbour Richard. Richard’s spaniel had alerted them to rodent activity in the wood shed. Further investigation revealed a very recent nest, but even this did not prepare them for the shock appearance of said inhabitant of nest, ‘Roland’ the most unfriendly rat. Richard grabbed an axe and became possessed of the devil as he lurched after ‘Roland ‘and in his enthusiastic haste, narrowly missed Jonathan, who was sent sprawling. Not quite the day he had planned!
Neil’s day was not too good either. His faithful Toyota went into the local garage for a minor check up, which turned out to be anything but minor. Bearing in mind his use of the car has dropped significantly since retiring, the cost of maintaining it has risen out of all proportion! Happy motoring old chap!
Following the ‘scribble’ we looked at our homework challenge, which was to write a short screenplay based upon six characters in a hairdressers.
Stephen read his ‘Total E-clips of the bun,’ set in Liverpool and featuring mother and daughter salon owners, Chloe and Sharon, a regular, older customer Mrs Arkwright, Chloe’s irreverent mother Maisie and carer Doreen with her charge, the elderly Mrs Ramsbottom. Chloe’s latest beau, another chancer according to Sharon, was the subject of her texting, with the situation going from her looking forward to seeing him, to deciding to finish with him finally agreeing a hot date. Mrs Arkwright came in determined to try something bold rather than her usual cut and perm. A Katy Perry special was definitely what she wanted … or was it? Mrs Ramsbottom recalled an experience with dear friend Gladys, when they were accosted by a flasher, whilst Maisie kept up a torrent of sarcasm, general abuse and complaints until she decided to go and buy milk … at the local pub!
Jonathan’s contribution took a far more sinister turn. Salon owner Sarah is unfortunately in an abusive relationship with her controlling partner Graham. Graham was not always like this, but his business endeavours failed where Sarah’s succeeded and there is resentment. He needs money and seems prepared to do whatever necessary to obtain it. Possessive and jealous, Graham spies on Sarah and lets his imagination think the worst. He plots to set fire to the salon and after enlisting a friend, breaks in and starts the inferno, which, he thinks, will release a heavy insurance payment. Graham’s assistant isn’t so sure. When he queries Graham over the tenant in the flat above the salon, Graham dismisses him, stating there’s nobody in, whilst knowing there is at least one person there, a good looking male he has seen talking to Sarah and who he thinks may be carrying on with her. We, the readers, are left dangling as the fire takes hold with Graham and his accomplice beating a hasty retreat, whilst the two upstairs occupants are unaware of their pending doom! Wow. More please.
Jane’s take was quite different. Her ‘Sunshine Salon’ is owned by Mable ‘Sunshine’ Williams, a middle-aged Jamaican lady. Mable is married to Mr Williams and they have two sons, Ambrose, who is autistic and Eithan, a budding singer who is in to Bob Marley music. The conversation, which involves an elderly customer Joyce, evolves around a misunderstanding. Ambrose has been tested for autism and has received a letter advising him of the outcome. He, however, misunderstands it and rather than being on the autism spectrum, Ambrose thinks he is on the artistic spectrum and promptly signs up for an arts course and purchases all the necessary equipment to begin his new interest of painting. Mr Williams, rather than discuss the issue with Mable, takes the easy way out and thinks everything will work out ok. Despite Mable pointing out the error, even the customer Joyce observes that it will be nice for Mable to have an artist in the family. Excellent, very Broon’s like in its plot.
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge,’ for the next meeting is simply to bring in something which you may currently be working on. As it is also our AGM, time permitting, we will listen and give feedback on anything you wish to present to the group.
Tuesday 23 March 2021
Once again we enjoyed an entertaining evening of diverse writing and pleasant conversation.
To start, we had our 5-minute scribble. Jonathan related how he found himself with an open invitation to ‘dilly dally.’ Unusually for him, no work meetings, so directionally challenged Glen the dog was treated to a lengthy, off-piste trek with his bearded master. Neil told how he and his good lady donned pith helmets to venture, for the first time, into darkest … East Kilbride! NO, NOT THERE! OMG! Fortunately, Heather, Neil’s lady, was able to have an X-ray which had been subject to an extremely lengthy delay. No surprise there. I hear there’s a 10-month waiting list to confirm pregnancies! Jane had a canine experience, with her pet sending her to the doghouse, following an unwanted, trip to the vets which meant no walks, no doggy paddles and worst of all no food! Now that’s what I call a woof day! In stark contrast, Stephen’s day was more about mechanics. What should have been a straight forward car repair turned into an ‘… ooh that looks bad, I thinks it’s buggered, but I’ll see what I can do … but it won’t be cheap.’ Type of day. Unfortunately not for the first time in recent months. Now where’s me bike?
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge,’ once again reminded me, if a reminder was needed, of the breadth and depth of talent we have within our small group.
Jane chose the last line of Boris Pasternak’s ‘Dr Zhivago,’ as the first line of her tale, ‘A Shock of Red Hair.’ This story, set during the Russian Revolution, told of how a brother was reunited with a sister he did not know he had. How their mother had been slain on the orders of her father, in order that his link with her would never be discovered. By chance and through the love of their mothers’ writing, brother and sister, whose lives had taken very different paths, were brought together, the more affluent sister taking her brother out of his abject poverty into a better life together.
Neil took the last line of ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ by Milan Kundera as the first line of his short story ‘Inn’ which continued the theme of the original book in that the protagonist Tom, was up to more erotic adventures, but this time with Sofia, with whom he had taken to an inn for what he hoped would be a night of passion. It would appear things just about went to plan, but the need for Sofia to answer the call of nature and the fact there was no en-suite (!) presented a dilemma of risking a run to the very public loo or resorting to a bucket under the bed. The bucket won.
Jonathan took the last line of ‘Christine’ by Stephen King as his first line for ‘His Unending Fury’ a yarn set in a lengthy, bloody war, with the female lieutenant’s brooding fury escalating at the inept leadership of her male counterparts and senior ranks. An epilogue threw some light on the situation, with the now elderly lieutenant being accompanied by her grandson on a return visit to the barracks. Jonathan has promised more to come on this.
Stephen took the last line of Barack Obama’s ‘Dreams From My Father’ as the first line of ‘And So To Liverpool.’ This summarised the initial kidnap and subsequent journey across the seas by a young African, Issoufou, who like so many others at that time were taken into slavery. His travels take him to Liverpool, one of the main ports involved in the transport of slaves, where he takes his chance and escapes, managing to meet up with some fellow countrymen who had also escaped, but who remained hidden at the port as they tried to help others.
These were four short stories which, I believe, could all be expanded into really interesting novels. They certainly left me wanting for more.
Our challenge for the next meeting will be just that, a real challenge. We are to write a screenplay for up to six characters and it is to be set in a hairdressers. Ten-twenty pages in length is the guide, so good luck with that.
Once again we enjoyed an entertaining evening of diverse writing and pleasant conversation.
To start, we had our 5-minute scribble. Jonathan related how he found himself with an open invitation to ‘dilly dally.’ Unusually for him, no work meetings, so directionally challenged Glen the dog was treated to a lengthy, off-piste trek with his bearded master. Neil told how he and his good lady donned pith helmets to venture, for the first time, into darkest … East Kilbride! NO, NOT THERE! OMG! Fortunately, Heather, Neil’s lady, was able to have an X-ray which had been subject to an extremely lengthy delay. No surprise there. I hear there’s a 10-month waiting list to confirm pregnancies! Jane had a canine experience, with her pet sending her to the doghouse, following an unwanted, trip to the vets which meant no walks, no doggy paddles and worst of all no food! Now that’s what I call a woof day! In stark contrast, Stephen’s day was more about mechanics. What should have been a straight forward car repair turned into an ‘… ooh that looks bad, I thinks it’s buggered, but I’ll see what I can do … but it won’t be cheap.’ Type of day. Unfortunately not for the first time in recent months. Now where’s me bike?
Our ‘Homework, fun challenge,’ once again reminded me, if a reminder was needed, of the breadth and depth of talent we have within our small group.
Jane chose the last line of Boris Pasternak’s ‘Dr Zhivago,’ as the first line of her tale, ‘A Shock of Red Hair.’ This story, set during the Russian Revolution, told of how a brother was reunited with a sister he did not know he had. How their mother had been slain on the orders of her father, in order that his link with her would never be discovered. By chance and through the love of their mothers’ writing, brother and sister, whose lives had taken very different paths, were brought together, the more affluent sister taking her brother out of his abject poverty into a better life together.
Neil took the last line of ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being,’ by Milan Kundera as the first line of his short story ‘Inn’ which continued the theme of the original book in that the protagonist Tom, was up to more erotic adventures, but this time with Sofia, with whom he had taken to an inn for what he hoped would be a night of passion. It would appear things just about went to plan, but the need for Sofia to answer the call of nature and the fact there was no en-suite (!) presented a dilemma of risking a run to the very public loo or resorting to a bucket under the bed. The bucket won.
Jonathan took the last line of ‘Christine’ by Stephen King as his first line for ‘His Unending Fury’ a yarn set in a lengthy, bloody war, with the female lieutenant’s brooding fury escalating at the inept leadership of her male counterparts and senior ranks. An epilogue threw some light on the situation, with the now elderly lieutenant being accompanied by her grandson on a return visit to the barracks. Jonathan has promised more to come on this.
Stephen took the last line of Barack Obama’s ‘Dreams From My Father’ as the first line of ‘And So To Liverpool.’ This summarised the initial kidnap and subsequent journey across the seas by a young African, Issoufou, who like so many others at that time were taken into slavery. His travels take him to Liverpool, one of the main ports involved in the transport of slaves, where he takes his chance and escapes, managing to meet up with some fellow countrymen who had also escaped, but who remained hidden at the port as they tried to help others.
These were four short stories which, I believe, could all be expanded into really interesting novels. They certainly left me wanting for more.
Our challenge for the next meeting will be just that, a real challenge. We are to write a screenplay for up to six characters and it is to be set in a hairdressers. Ten-twenty pages in length is the guide, so good luck with that.
Tuesday 9 March 2021
Although numbers were down, we nevertheless enjoyed an entertaining evening of choice writing and conversation.
After an initial hold up due to some technical difficulty, Jonathan came to the rescue in providing us with access to his Zoom account. Our ‘5-minute scribble’ once again provided us with an insight into each others’ day with Jonathan setting the scene with Glen, the amorous canine, getting lost in the woods. Or was he? Could it have been a secret liaison with one of pedigree lassies from a nearby kennel? Glen’s saying nothing. And then Neil gave an account of how easy it is to fall foul of social media. Mind you, telling someone she was missing her brain may have been interpreted as a little offensive . Just a little! Stephen’s observation about a bus station, where buses stop, a train station, where trains stop and his work station, where … struck a chord. Another same old day, thinking about what you could do, if you could do! Well done boys.
This led us on to the week’s ‘challenge’ which was to write a short story about ‘An extraordinary person in an ordinary place.’
Jonathan had us guessing as he introduced a mysterious character who, though quiet and understated, turned out to be a particularly well known undercover spy. Neil took us along to a couple meeting through a dating site, but all was not what it appeared. The lady had once been a very prominent figure in society, but had quite suddenly disappeared from public view. The gent meeting her had a hidden agenda and appeared to be a reporter following up a story to find out what had become of her. The outcome was both shocking and intriguing leading Neil to advise he would develop the story further. We’ll look forward to that. Stephen had not produced a story for this challenge, but read through the first two chapters of a novel he is penning and which bears the title Priest. This will tell the tale of certain organisations seeking to find the True Cross, which churches claim was lost until Constantine’s mother Empress Helena travelled to the Holy Land in search of religious relics in 326-328. More to follow.
So for our next challenge the brief is as follows: pick any book that you have at home and write down the last sentence in it. Use this then, as the first sentence of a short story of 1200 words. Your finished work can either be e-mailed to the group or read at our next meeting. Good luck.
Neil advised he has submitted one of his works for the 2021 Grindstone International Novel Prize. For anyone else interested, the final closing date is 1st October, although there are a number of early bird dates for entry, which would entitle the writer to an advanced announcement, detailing the result of their entry. Further details are available at https://www.grindstoneliterary.com/competitions.
Although numbers were down, we nevertheless enjoyed an entertaining evening of choice writing and conversation.
After an initial hold up due to some technical difficulty, Jonathan came to the rescue in providing us with access to his Zoom account. Our ‘5-minute scribble’ once again provided us with an insight into each others’ day with Jonathan setting the scene with Glen, the amorous canine, getting lost in the woods. Or was he? Could it have been a secret liaison with one of pedigree lassies from a nearby kennel? Glen’s saying nothing. And then Neil gave an account of how easy it is to fall foul of social media. Mind you, telling someone she was missing her brain may have been interpreted as a little offensive . Just a little! Stephen’s observation about a bus station, where buses stop, a train station, where trains stop and his work station, where … struck a chord. Another same old day, thinking about what you could do, if you could do! Well done boys.
This led us on to the week’s ‘challenge’ which was to write a short story about ‘An extraordinary person in an ordinary place.’
Jonathan had us guessing as he introduced a mysterious character who, though quiet and understated, turned out to be a particularly well known undercover spy. Neil took us along to a couple meeting through a dating site, but all was not what it appeared. The lady had once been a very prominent figure in society, but had quite suddenly disappeared from public view. The gent meeting her had a hidden agenda and appeared to be a reporter following up a story to find out what had become of her. The outcome was both shocking and intriguing leading Neil to advise he would develop the story further. We’ll look forward to that. Stephen had not produced a story for this challenge, but read through the first two chapters of a novel he is penning and which bears the title Priest. This will tell the tale of certain organisations seeking to find the True Cross, which churches claim was lost until Constantine’s mother Empress Helena travelled to the Holy Land in search of religious relics in 326-328. More to follow.
So for our next challenge the brief is as follows: pick any book that you have at home and write down the last sentence in it. Use this then, as the first sentence of a short story of 1200 words. Your finished work can either be e-mailed to the group or read at our next meeting. Good luck.
Neil advised he has submitted one of his works for the 2021 Grindstone International Novel Prize. For anyone else interested, the final closing date is 1st October, although there are a number of early bird dates for entry, which would entitle the writer to an advanced announcement, detailing the result of their entry. Further details are available at https://www.grindstoneliterary.com/competitions.
Tuesday 23 February 2021
We began the meeting with our re-introduced 5-minute sprint write based on our experiences of the day. Maggie produced a hybrid piece musing on the rain and the routine of an ordinary, fairly uneventful day, in her trademark poetic style. Neil related an everyday trauma involving losing his mobile phone. Jane loosed a polemic on a vandalised caravan and Lorna mused on the recent heavy rain and storms.
Our challenge this week was to produce something containing only one (or no) character(s). Neil produced a much discussed "prose poem", Imagine That, or sort of overview of life, the universe and everything. The consensus seemed to be that with a bit of work on the structure and some of the word play, it could be a very good piece indeed. Lorna promised some written suggestions and Maggie has already sent Neil some very useful comments. Next up was Jane's journey of a discarded can, Used Goods, from initial careless dispensing to eventual retrieval and putting into recycle. There was much of merit in the piece, including some very good descriptive passages we have come to expect from Jane. A useful exercise, Jane thought. To finish we enjoyed Lorna's poem, Storm - provisional title - a charming rage about her first-hand experience in the raging winds of late. We all wished she'd written a bit more. It's good to hear a rant now and again.
We had some uplifting news from Jane: a literary agent has expressed an interest in looking at her developing novel in more detail. So good luck with that Jane, from everyone, I'm sure.
The fun challenge/homework set this week is to write a story involving an extraordinary person in an ordinary place. So good luck with that one, everybody.
We began the meeting with our re-introduced 5-minute sprint write based on our experiences of the day. Maggie produced a hybrid piece musing on the rain and the routine of an ordinary, fairly uneventful day, in her trademark poetic style. Neil related an everyday trauma involving losing his mobile phone. Jane loosed a polemic on a vandalised caravan and Lorna mused on the recent heavy rain and storms.
Our challenge this week was to produce something containing only one (or no) character(s). Neil produced a much discussed "prose poem", Imagine That, or sort of overview of life, the universe and everything. The consensus seemed to be that with a bit of work on the structure and some of the word play, it could be a very good piece indeed. Lorna promised some written suggestions and Maggie has already sent Neil some very useful comments. Next up was Jane's journey of a discarded can, Used Goods, from initial careless dispensing to eventual retrieval and putting into recycle. There was much of merit in the piece, including some very good descriptive passages we have come to expect from Jane. A useful exercise, Jane thought. To finish we enjoyed Lorna's poem, Storm - provisional title - a charming rage about her first-hand experience in the raging winds of late. We all wished she'd written a bit more. It's good to hear a rant now and again.
We had some uplifting news from Jane: a literary agent has expressed an interest in looking at her developing novel in more detail. So good luck with that Jane, from everyone, I'm sure.
The fun challenge/homework set this week is to write a story involving an extraordinary person in an ordinary place. So good luck with that one, everybody.
Tuesday 9th February
A good attendance, although Lorna, unfortunately, experienced some technical problem which prevented her tuning in.
The meeting opened with a brief discussion on the format of this and future meetings and it was agreed, as has been done in the past, that it should be led by a chairperson. Neil was unanimously voted to take on this role and he was good enough to accept the challenge.
We welcomed the return of one of our favourites, the ‘5-minute scribble.’ Stephen opened with his tale of woe in attempting to make a ‘simple’ fit of a bulbar to a pickup, a tale which ended in an appointment with Tinto Garage. Neil followed, but left us scratching about after hearing of how his new kitten had brought home some uninvited guests. Maggie struggled to overcome a particularly bad migraine; we all wish you a speedy recovery of that Maggie. We know what a pain it can be! Jane’s temperature, unlike that of her heating, reached boiling point in recalling how the ‘new’ glass in her multi-feed burner, broke almost as quickly the time taken to replace it. That’s not cool Jane. Well… actually it probably was. Whilst Jonathan opted out of this particular exercise, he has continued to grow his beard and that put me in mind of older (and deceased) relatives, all bearded … including the women.
In view of recent emails expressing concerns over the direction the group is taking, we agreed to review our programme and initially, we were asked;
‘what are the three positives we have about the group?’
Stephen: camaraderie, the inspiration to write and the opportunity to ‘escape’ from the daily pressures of life through writing for pleasure.
Neil: writing things other than novels, i.e. short stories; the enjoyment of listening to other people’s stories and poems, as seen from other angles; the constructive criticism from other like-minded writers helps his own writing.
Maggie: having a dedicated time purely for writing does inspire her to write more; a good mix of thinking opens your mind with shared creativity enriching her life; a place to share your work and benefit from the feedback received.
Jane: when it works well it is fun and friendly; there is a diverse range of talent; takes her into other areas of writing, such as poetry, showing different perspectives.
Jonathan: the support of having the group to share his writing with; feedback and other people’s viewpoints about his work; the challenge of being pushed into different types of writing.
Our discussion then moved to a debate on to how we feel we can improve the running of the group, with each member present, being given the opportunity to make their point.
Neil:
Maggie:
Jane;
Jonathan:
Stephen:
Everyone felt the meeting was productive and enjoyable. It is for all of us to maintain this momentum in going forward.
Last session’s challenge was to try and write a love poem. Not everybody’s thing, but Maggie and Stephen had a go. Their efforts have been circulated for everyone to see.
This week’s challenge is to write something which has only one (or even no) character(s). Good luck with that.
A good attendance, although Lorna, unfortunately, experienced some technical problem which prevented her tuning in.
The meeting opened with a brief discussion on the format of this and future meetings and it was agreed, as has been done in the past, that it should be led by a chairperson. Neil was unanimously voted to take on this role and he was good enough to accept the challenge.
We welcomed the return of one of our favourites, the ‘5-minute scribble.’ Stephen opened with his tale of woe in attempting to make a ‘simple’ fit of a bulbar to a pickup, a tale which ended in an appointment with Tinto Garage. Neil followed, but left us scratching about after hearing of how his new kitten had brought home some uninvited guests. Maggie struggled to overcome a particularly bad migraine; we all wish you a speedy recovery of that Maggie. We know what a pain it can be! Jane’s temperature, unlike that of her heating, reached boiling point in recalling how the ‘new’ glass in her multi-feed burner, broke almost as quickly the time taken to replace it. That’s not cool Jane. Well… actually it probably was. Whilst Jonathan opted out of this particular exercise, he has continued to grow his beard and that put me in mind of older (and deceased) relatives, all bearded … including the women.
In view of recent emails expressing concerns over the direction the group is taking, we agreed to review our programme and initially, we were asked;
‘what are the three positives we have about the group?’
Stephen: camaraderie, the inspiration to write and the opportunity to ‘escape’ from the daily pressures of life through writing for pleasure.
Neil: writing things other than novels, i.e. short stories; the enjoyment of listening to other people’s stories and poems, as seen from other angles; the constructive criticism from other like-minded writers helps his own writing.
Maggie: having a dedicated time purely for writing does inspire her to write more; a good mix of thinking opens your mind with shared creativity enriching her life; a place to share your work and benefit from the feedback received.
Jane: when it works well it is fun and friendly; there is a diverse range of talent; takes her into other areas of writing, such as poetry, showing different perspectives.
Jonathan: the support of having the group to share his writing with; feedback and other people’s viewpoints about his work; the challenge of being pushed into different types of writing.
Our discussion then moved to a debate on to how we feel we can improve the running of the group, with each member present, being given the opportunity to make their point.
Neil:
- More structure is required for the meetings, such as a loose agenda
- To have a regular chairperson ensuring meetings stay on track
- Although recognising the usefulness and learning potential to be gained from workshops, it is accepted that this is not feasible at this current time.
- Ideally we still need to try and increase membership, but still within 8-10 in numbers
- Keep a book of favourite authors, books and poems for those less productive times
Maggie:
- Live exercises are good for a number of positive reasons
- We should encourage more detailed reviews of work
- Encourage each other more through competitions and other events where we can help each other
Jane;
- Jane confessed that she had been enjoying the group until later last year, adding that her writing now is not just a hobby but effectively her job. Jane would like the group to focus more on actual writing, although she enjoys the diversity and appreciates that those of us with full time jobs may not have as much time to commit. Jane would like to see ‘writing sprints’ done during meeting times, for example, choosing a topic and writing as much as you can within 20-minutes. Such exercises, Jane feels, are important for encouraging discipline and encouraging use of imagination. The opportunity to have constructive feedback is important too.
Jonathan:
- Always enjoys our active writing and exercises, but appreciates these are more challenging online.
Stephen:
- With little to add to what has already been noted, he would say Jonathan’s exercises were, for him, a key and enjoyable part of our meetings and perhaps Jonathan would come up with a selection of topics to work from.
- We used to take time to hear each other’s ongoing work. Perhaps this could continue, with members e-mailing each other and receiving feedback.
Everyone felt the meeting was productive and enjoyable. It is for all of us to maintain this momentum in going forward.
Last session’s challenge was to try and write a love poem. Not everybody’s thing, but Maggie and Stephen had a go. Their efforts have been circulated for everyone to see.
This week’s challenge is to write something which has only one (or even no) character(s). Good luck with that.
Tuesday 26th January
A well attended meeting, with Neil, Maggie, Lorna and Stephen discussing the ‘challenge’ topics outlined in our last group email. Without doubt some subjects lend themselves better to real rather than virtual meetings, but overall the general consensus was favourable and we should use the following list as a guide to use for the foreseeable future:
A well attended meeting, with Neil, Maggie, Lorna and Stephen discussing the ‘challenge’ topics outlined in our last group email. Without doubt some subjects lend themselves better to real rather than virtual meetings, but overall the general consensus was favourable and we should use the following list as a guide to use for the foreseeable future:
- Write a villanelle
- A story involving an extraordinary person in an ordinary place.
- Write a coherent nonsense story – perhaps in a Lewis Carol style.
- A story for very young children.
- Something which has only one (or no) character(s).
- A love poem – perhaps inspired by Burns
- Something involving intense competition (not necessarily sport) – could be office life, for example
- A project about Biggar Burial Grounds.
- A memoir – biographical?
- Something inspired by a place, either one we specify or a ‘somewhere only we know’ kind of place that evokes stories and memories.
- You have won the lottery and become a millionaire overnight, describe your spending spree.
- A short screenplay involving up to six characters and on a subject matter to be agreed beforehand.
- Describe in 500-words an unusual interior space, one with lots of interesting trappings and gadgets; a submarine, small plane, railway tunnel, boiler room etc. Try not to state the obvious.
- As our real-world ecosystem further devolves, we may soon move into the pining-for-our-ex-phase of the relationship, watching BBC Planet Earth documentaries like old wedding videos. Books can reconfigure our conception of nature for the better. Eco fiction writers entertain and educate us, so consider an exercise whereby we write a short story relating to a particular aspect of the environment.
It was agreed our current ‘challenge’ is to write a love poem (!) Yes, really. As we approach Valentine’s Day, let’s see what we can produce and perhaps surprise ourselves with for the next meeting.
Neil reminded us of the ‘5-minute scribble’ that we had started doing at our library room meetings. It was agreed we all enjoyed this and that we should bring it back into our virtual meetings. The idea is to be honest with yourself and write down something that has happened to you on the day of the meeting. Time yourself and spend no more than five-minutes on it. If you do this just prior to the meeting, we can start the evening by each of us reading our own. Thanks.
In our last group email we brought up the topic of competitions. This is not for everyone, but there are plenty out there and if any of you would appreciate some help with preparing for one, we will all be happy, I’m sure, to do whatever we can.
Maggie mentioned too, the potential opportunity to earn from your writing through an organisation called Vocal Media (https://vocal.media/). Their website includes Biggar Writers Module1 Self Publishing.docx:
Share your stories and support creators. Vocal is an all-in-one platform where you can share your stories, build an audience, and earn money.
Why creators choose Vocal:- Easy-to-use story creation tools
- Earn money from reads, tips and challenges
- We moderate every story for safety
- No annoying ads
22 December 2020
Our end of year Christmas celebratory meeting was well attended, though there were not many contributions to the last fun challenge, which was to write a romantic, Christmas orientated story. Mandy, instead, offered a neat little ditty she composed railing against anti-vaxxers in her inimitable style. It may have had nothing to do with romance or Christmas but it put a smile on everyone's faces. Meanwhile, Jane offered An Ice Romance, which had both a yuletide setting and a romantic story-line. There was Jane's customary little twist at the end everyone was waiting for but couldn't quite grasp until Jane revealed all.
Otherwise, we spent discussing how to put the world right, everything from COVID, Brexit, climate change and TV schedules. The spirit was with us, and Maggie even sported a most fetching Xmas bobble hat. We raised a glass or two to the season and then got serious for a few minutes discussing the following.
We decided the first meeting of the new year would be on the 12th January. The challenge for that meeting would be to present something with a markedly positive spin, given that so much is so gloomy these days. As ever it could be a poem or short story or flash fiction or whatever you can think of. Equally, if the challenge doesn't do it for you, then bring something you'd like the group to hear and comment on.
Finally, we resolved that we should all bring as many challenge ideas (for future use) to the meeting as possible. We can then compile a list to keep us going for the year.
So, that was it for 2020, a year which will surely not be forgotten in a hurry!
Our end of year Christmas celebratory meeting was well attended, though there were not many contributions to the last fun challenge, which was to write a romantic, Christmas orientated story. Mandy, instead, offered a neat little ditty she composed railing against anti-vaxxers in her inimitable style. It may have had nothing to do with romance or Christmas but it put a smile on everyone's faces. Meanwhile, Jane offered An Ice Romance, which had both a yuletide setting and a romantic story-line. There was Jane's customary little twist at the end everyone was waiting for but couldn't quite grasp until Jane revealed all.
Otherwise, we spent discussing how to put the world right, everything from COVID, Brexit, climate change and TV schedules. The spirit was with us, and Maggie even sported a most fetching Xmas bobble hat. We raised a glass or two to the season and then got serious for a few minutes discussing the following.
We decided the first meeting of the new year would be on the 12th January. The challenge for that meeting would be to present something with a markedly positive spin, given that so much is so gloomy these days. As ever it could be a poem or short story or flash fiction or whatever you can think of. Equally, if the challenge doesn't do it for you, then bring something you'd like the group to hear and comment on.
Finally, we resolved that we should all bring as many challenge ideas (for future use) to the meeting as possible. We can then compile a list to keep us going for the year.
So, that was it for 2020, a year which will surely not be forgotten in a hurry!
1 December 2020
This week's meeting was well attended. Before the meeting proper we reviewed our decision not to go ahead with the collaborative venture with Martin Travers. We agreed the decision was the right one based on the input from all interested members and Neil reported he'd had a positive response from Martin following our message declining to travel further with him.
The first piece discussed was the opening chapter of Neil's latest novel (still in development), provisionally called Henry James. The story concerns a licentious university lecturer in English, and is very much in the farce tradition. Jane offered some astute technical and stylistic observations.
Jane presented a wonderful short story called A Life Denied, where a dying doctor returns to the laboratory where she'd worked many years before. She reflects on the scientific experimental work she undertook with aborted foetuses and on her own childless life. An anguished ethical debate on a very complex and controversial issue handled with Jane's customary aplomb.
Maggie had a new poem for us: Potter's Field. This was inspired by Maggie's investigations into the Hart Island, New York City, mass public grave, where many recent COVID victims are interred alongside the unclaimed or unwanted bodies of the poor and shamed. Maggie has composed a subtle attack on the perpetrators of the poverty and ignorance that has led to so much despair and deprivation and poses the eternal question: do we have the right to call ourselves civilised?
We finished the meeting with a discussion about our last scheduled meeting of the year on the 15th, where we thought we should bring our festive selves. So, let's all bring a glass of wine to the meeting, along with a mince pie or something equally in tune with the season - party hats optional. And the fun challenge for the meeting is to write a Christmas romance: short story, poem, flash fiction, a MIlls & Boon pastiche, if you think you're up to it, or something all your own.
This week's meeting was well attended. Before the meeting proper we reviewed our decision not to go ahead with the collaborative venture with Martin Travers. We agreed the decision was the right one based on the input from all interested members and Neil reported he'd had a positive response from Martin following our message declining to travel further with him.
The first piece discussed was the opening chapter of Neil's latest novel (still in development), provisionally called Henry James. The story concerns a licentious university lecturer in English, and is very much in the farce tradition. Jane offered some astute technical and stylistic observations.
Jane presented a wonderful short story called A Life Denied, where a dying doctor returns to the laboratory where she'd worked many years before. She reflects on the scientific experimental work she undertook with aborted foetuses and on her own childless life. An anguished ethical debate on a very complex and controversial issue handled with Jane's customary aplomb.
Maggie had a new poem for us: Potter's Field. This was inspired by Maggie's investigations into the Hart Island, New York City, mass public grave, where many recent COVID victims are interred alongside the unclaimed or unwanted bodies of the poor and shamed. Maggie has composed a subtle attack on the perpetrators of the poverty and ignorance that has led to so much despair and deprivation and poses the eternal question: do we have the right to call ourselves civilised?
We finished the meeting with a discussion about our last scheduled meeting of the year on the 15th, where we thought we should bring our festive selves. So, let's all bring a glass of wine to the meeting, along with a mince pie or something equally in tune with the season - party hats optional. And the fun challenge for the meeting is to write a Christmas romance: short story, poem, flash fiction, a MIlls & Boon pastiche, if you think you're up to it, or something all your own.
3 November 2020
In response to the fun challenge set last time by Jonathan, write a sequel to a previous piece of your own, there were 3 submissions for the meeting to enjoy.
Lorna presented a well-received, thought provoking, moving poem, or prose-poem, since what Lorna writes challenges classification, and even she's not sure what it is. The piece is called Abscission, and to get an idea of its inspiration I can do no better than quote Lorna's helpful explanation. An abscission layer is a layer of specialised cells (parenchyma) that form at the bases of fruits, flowers and leaves of plants, usually in autumn, before abscission (falling off). As the parenchyma disintegrates, the organ becomes separated from the plant. The cells form a layer that becomes the scar, preventing water loss from the plant and ingress of pathogens. Anyway, Abscission, with beautiful economy and richness of expression, charts the recovery of an abused woman from painful humiliation to the life affirming resurrection of her true self.
Neil presented a sequel to his story The San Gwann Ghost, which was set in 1930s Malta, and involved the shooting of a white horse, which sailors and islanders alike mistook for a ghost. The sequel - A Good War - tells of the post war reunion of the Maltese barmaid and her erstwhile beau, the accidental slayer of the San Gwann ghost. It's partly a rumination on the horrors of war, and partly a tale of the rekindling of a love affair interrupted by the war.
To finish we all joined in with a rendition of Jane's sequel, or continuation, of her lockdown story, a performance script relating the dysfunctional goings on of a particular family coping with lockdown restrictions: LOCKDOWN: SECRETS AND CONFESSIONS - ONE YEAR LATER. Neil voiced the hapless Roger, while Maggie took on the part of his domineering wife, Phillipa. Lorna bravely, and entertainingly, managed two parts, the adulterous Alex and his long suffering wife, Jen. Jane voiced Alex's outraged lover, Josie. The gist of the script is that everyone (except perhaps Roger) finally sees the scurrilous bounder Alex for what he really is. It's revealed that despite the lockdown restrictions Alex, post fathering a baby with Josie, indulges in another affair with, predictably, a neighbour. It doesn't look like there's anyway back for Alex with Jen (or Josie), but then this is Jane's baby, and you never know. We all had a good laugh performing, I think.
Just before the meeting ended Maggie shared some of her thoughts about a quite ambitious writing project she's trying to put together, partly inspired by her professional change management experiences. She's planning a biographical based anthology on the theme of change, and the details of the journey undertaken. When she's hardened up some of her ideas, she might well turn to us and issue some invitations for submissions, though she personally must have a fair bit to contribute herself. We all considered Lorna's prose-poem, Abscission, to be in the spirit of Maggie's ideas.
Finally, for our next fun challenge we unearthed an old chestnut: write a song lyric. Take it any way you like; I'm saying nothing!
In response to the fun challenge set last time by Jonathan, write a sequel to a previous piece of your own, there were 3 submissions for the meeting to enjoy.
Lorna presented a well-received, thought provoking, moving poem, or prose-poem, since what Lorna writes challenges classification, and even she's not sure what it is. The piece is called Abscission, and to get an idea of its inspiration I can do no better than quote Lorna's helpful explanation. An abscission layer is a layer of specialised cells (parenchyma) that form at the bases of fruits, flowers and leaves of plants, usually in autumn, before abscission (falling off). As the parenchyma disintegrates, the organ becomes separated from the plant. The cells form a layer that becomes the scar, preventing water loss from the plant and ingress of pathogens. Anyway, Abscission, with beautiful economy and richness of expression, charts the recovery of an abused woman from painful humiliation to the life affirming resurrection of her true self.
Neil presented a sequel to his story The San Gwann Ghost, which was set in 1930s Malta, and involved the shooting of a white horse, which sailors and islanders alike mistook for a ghost. The sequel - A Good War - tells of the post war reunion of the Maltese barmaid and her erstwhile beau, the accidental slayer of the San Gwann ghost. It's partly a rumination on the horrors of war, and partly a tale of the rekindling of a love affair interrupted by the war.
To finish we all joined in with a rendition of Jane's sequel, or continuation, of her lockdown story, a performance script relating the dysfunctional goings on of a particular family coping with lockdown restrictions: LOCKDOWN: SECRETS AND CONFESSIONS - ONE YEAR LATER. Neil voiced the hapless Roger, while Maggie took on the part of his domineering wife, Phillipa. Lorna bravely, and entertainingly, managed two parts, the adulterous Alex and his long suffering wife, Jen. Jane voiced Alex's outraged lover, Josie. The gist of the script is that everyone (except perhaps Roger) finally sees the scurrilous bounder Alex for what he really is. It's revealed that despite the lockdown restrictions Alex, post fathering a baby with Josie, indulges in another affair with, predictably, a neighbour. It doesn't look like there's anyway back for Alex with Jen (or Josie), but then this is Jane's baby, and you never know. We all had a good laugh performing, I think.
Just before the meeting ended Maggie shared some of her thoughts about a quite ambitious writing project she's trying to put together, partly inspired by her professional change management experiences. She's planning a biographical based anthology on the theme of change, and the details of the journey undertaken. When she's hardened up some of her ideas, she might well turn to us and issue some invitations for submissions, though she personally must have a fair bit to contribute herself. We all considered Lorna's prose-poem, Abscission, to be in the spirit of Maggie's ideas.
Finally, for our next fun challenge we unearthed an old chestnut: write a song lyric. Take it any way you like; I'm saying nothing!
20 October 2020
Another well attended meeting this week which kicked off with a discussion about the proposed collaboration with the playwright Martin Travers. As at the meeting with him, we can see much benefit from an artistic viewpoint and we should make efforts to exploit the opportunity. We are currently awaiting a detailed proposal from Martin which we can evaluate and take forward. Jonathan pointed out some of the fiscal considerations we would have to be aware of in any actions we might undertake.
The meeting proper got underway with Mandy's offering Katey's Mission, a continuation of her rainbow inspired sci-fi adventure with mysterious alien (and possible eco-warrior) Katey Illouwherthill. A very enjoyable and intriguing piece which is perhaps the beginning of a bigger project in the making.
Neil presented his latest short story As Good As New, a bitter-sweet tale of life in his hometown in the late 1920s. A moving piece which was well received.
Jane presented an aquatic fantasy tale, The Apology, involving the wrath of Neptune being visited upon the father of Rosy May for renaming his boat after his daughter without due process. The little girl, Rosy May, and father survive the ordeal when the father makes the required apology. Another intriguing piece from Jane with surprising twists and turns in the as usual clever plot.
Maggie presented a radically different tale, Another Time & Place, set in the stone age. The characters deal with issues we can all relate to - for example, providing for the family - but set in an unfamiliar context. Another clever little piece that left us all wanting to know more about the characters and what happened to them next.
Perhaps with this in mind, Jonathan suggested our next challenge should be to write a sequel to something we've already written, a proper sequel giving an update on what has happened to our characters since we last met them. That should have us all digging in the archives!
Another well attended meeting this week which kicked off with a discussion about the proposed collaboration with the playwright Martin Travers. As at the meeting with him, we can see much benefit from an artistic viewpoint and we should make efforts to exploit the opportunity. We are currently awaiting a detailed proposal from Martin which we can evaluate and take forward. Jonathan pointed out some of the fiscal considerations we would have to be aware of in any actions we might undertake.
The meeting proper got underway with Mandy's offering Katey's Mission, a continuation of her rainbow inspired sci-fi adventure with mysterious alien (and possible eco-warrior) Katey Illouwherthill. A very enjoyable and intriguing piece which is perhaps the beginning of a bigger project in the making.
Neil presented his latest short story As Good As New, a bitter-sweet tale of life in his hometown in the late 1920s. A moving piece which was well received.
Jane presented an aquatic fantasy tale, The Apology, involving the wrath of Neptune being visited upon the father of Rosy May for renaming his boat after his daughter without due process. The little girl, Rosy May, and father survive the ordeal when the father makes the required apology. Another intriguing piece from Jane with surprising twists and turns in the as usual clever plot.
Maggie presented a radically different tale, Another Time & Place, set in the stone age. The characters deal with issues we can all relate to - for example, providing for the family - but set in an unfamiliar context. Another clever little piece that left us all wanting to know more about the characters and what happened to them next.
Perhaps with this in mind, Jonathan suggested our next challenge should be to write a sequel to something we've already written, a proper sequel giving an update on what has happened to our characters since we last met them. That should have us all digging in the archives!
6 October 2020
A well-attended, enjoyable and uplifting meeting this week. Maggie apologised for once again failing to complete the latest "Fun Challenge" (formerly known as The Challenge, or Homework) but promises she's got a nice backlog of pieces to finish which will keep her busy when she gets the time. Meanwhile, we forgave her because she's heavily involved in a project dealing with the national COVID track and trace system, and being a national hero is very time consuming.
Mandy presented her first piece for a while, a short story, and it's a real cracker, The Party. It's a sort of pot-fuelled Sci-Fi/Fantasy drama where we're not quite sure if the dream girl the hero is drooling over is a figment of his imagination or an alien. In any case, it provides a platform for Mandy to air some of her views on the state of the planet, civilisation and humanity. And it concludes with a clever little anagram puzzle. Read it! Anyway, this piece proves that contrary to her own assessments, Mandy really can write fiction, and good fiction too. She credited her upsurge in creativity to having read a great deal of fiction quite recently, after a life time devoted mainly to non-fiction and academic tomes. So Mandy is living proof of the maxim that to be a good writer you have to be a good reader first. It helped, Mandy said, that she rather liked the idea of the challenge, which was to write something that mentioned every colour of the rainbow without actually mentioning a rainbow (or prisms).
Neil presented his latest short story, The Colour of Souls, taking the theme of rainbow colours more literally than the others. Nevertheless, this little morality tale was considered thought provoking, especially the references to Hitler.
Our newest recruit, Lorna, presented a piece called Butterflies. It's certainly not a short story and there was some discussion about whether it's a poem or prose poetry of some other category. Whatever: everyone adored it. Quite simply beautiful: a wonderful homage to life. Apparently, it's the first thing Lorna has written for quite a few years. Incredible. And quite a debut as a Biggar Writer.
Jane offered up another of her deceptively simple but thoroughly engaging short stories, The Boy. It's a tale of racism and bigotry, but also of friendship and the wonders of youth. And it has a shocking and tragic ending. Powerful stuff, as always from Jane, wonderfully atmospheric with varied and convincing characters, and Jane's trademark adeptness at winding up the tension in just the right places.
For our next challenge Maggie suggested we write something based on "another time" or "another culture", something definitely, specifically, not contemporary. So a period drama, for example, or at a stretch something futuristic or even something founded on an alien culture. Jane dubbed it "Alternative Reality", so that's what we'll call the challenge, for convenience, but really the instruction is whatever you write is manifestly non-contemporaneous. I hope that's clear.
We had a short discussion about the upcoming special meeting with Martin Travers and Fletcher Mathers. We decided for the moment to keep the meeting open to only us and them, though we will want to be advertising the "projects" with Martin and Fletcher if we join them on their journey. All things will be up for discussion with them next week, Tuesday 13th October.
A well-attended, enjoyable and uplifting meeting this week. Maggie apologised for once again failing to complete the latest "Fun Challenge" (formerly known as The Challenge, or Homework) but promises she's got a nice backlog of pieces to finish which will keep her busy when she gets the time. Meanwhile, we forgave her because she's heavily involved in a project dealing with the national COVID track and trace system, and being a national hero is very time consuming.
Mandy presented her first piece for a while, a short story, and it's a real cracker, The Party. It's a sort of pot-fuelled Sci-Fi/Fantasy drama where we're not quite sure if the dream girl the hero is drooling over is a figment of his imagination or an alien. In any case, it provides a platform for Mandy to air some of her views on the state of the planet, civilisation and humanity. And it concludes with a clever little anagram puzzle. Read it! Anyway, this piece proves that contrary to her own assessments, Mandy really can write fiction, and good fiction too. She credited her upsurge in creativity to having read a great deal of fiction quite recently, after a life time devoted mainly to non-fiction and academic tomes. So Mandy is living proof of the maxim that to be a good writer you have to be a good reader first. It helped, Mandy said, that she rather liked the idea of the challenge, which was to write something that mentioned every colour of the rainbow without actually mentioning a rainbow (or prisms).
Neil presented his latest short story, The Colour of Souls, taking the theme of rainbow colours more literally than the others. Nevertheless, this little morality tale was considered thought provoking, especially the references to Hitler.
Our newest recruit, Lorna, presented a piece called Butterflies. It's certainly not a short story and there was some discussion about whether it's a poem or prose poetry of some other category. Whatever: everyone adored it. Quite simply beautiful: a wonderful homage to life. Apparently, it's the first thing Lorna has written for quite a few years. Incredible. And quite a debut as a Biggar Writer.
Jane offered up another of her deceptively simple but thoroughly engaging short stories, The Boy. It's a tale of racism and bigotry, but also of friendship and the wonders of youth. And it has a shocking and tragic ending. Powerful stuff, as always from Jane, wonderfully atmospheric with varied and convincing characters, and Jane's trademark adeptness at winding up the tension in just the right places.
For our next challenge Maggie suggested we write something based on "another time" or "another culture", something definitely, specifically, not contemporary. So a period drama, for example, or at a stretch something futuristic or even something founded on an alien culture. Jane dubbed it "Alternative Reality", so that's what we'll call the challenge, for convenience, but really the instruction is whatever you write is manifestly non-contemporaneous. I hope that's clear.
We had a short discussion about the upcoming special meeting with Martin Travers and Fletcher Mathers. We decided for the moment to keep the meeting open to only us and them, though we will want to be advertising the "projects" with Martin and Fletcher if we join them on their journey. All things will be up for discussion with them next week, Tuesday 13th October.
22 September 2020
At tonight's meeting we welcomed Lorna (Sharpe) to our fold. She's been a keen writer from an early age and quite an active one with a writing group in Dumfries & Galloway before moving recently to Biggar. Lorna did confess her previous group mutated from a writing group to a wine appreciation group in later years, so she's a little out of practice. However, she hopes to renew her writing habits by joining us, and we very much welcome her arrival.
We've had a tentative enquiry from representatives of the Citizen's Theatre Glasgow about getting involved with one of their projects relating to Leadhills. The consensus is that we should investigate further, but in principle an "artistic hook-up" of some sort, participation and collaboration must be a good thing, and may be very exciting and very enjoyable. Neil has agreed to seek further information.
This week's challenge was to present a piece of creative writing using a celebrity or famous historical figure or famous fictional character as inspiration. Jane presented An Unlikely Ally which was an "eye-witness" account of the wounding of Horatio Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. The historical context and the horror of battle were brilliantly captured, and as with many of Jane's pieces there was a little surprise at the end: the unlikely ally and eye-witness was none other than one of the ship's rats.
Neil chose to write a piece on a dead celebrity - John Lennon - imagined here in Probably Not as having survived the assassination attempt back in 1980. So Lennon is 80 and giving an interview after living 40 years more or less as a recluse. The piece touches on the (imagined) thoughts and feelings of Lennon on his surviving Beatles mates, Paul and Ringo, and Yoko and his children, Julian and Sean, and his place in history as a vocal peacenik.
Jane suggested the next challenge: to write a creative piece mentioning every colour of the rainbow (ROYGBIV) without ever mentioning a rainbow or a prism. Note: the colours do not have to be mentioned in their rainbow order - we thought that would be too restrictive.
We had a short discussion about future meetings. Biggar Library has re-opened this week and some of us were nursing hopes we might get back there soon for our meetings. However, with COVID restrictions being tightened up again we cannot be sure of anything. Neil agreed to check the status and possibilities with the Library and report back. Until further notice meetings will still be remote via Zoom. We also noted that, even when we resume regularly at the library, there may be reasons why some cannot attend in person, and given the success of the Zoom meetings we agreed a way round this would be for someone to bring a laptop to the library so anyone who could not personally attend could Zoom in on us at the library. Seems like a sensible step.
Before we closed out, we had a short but robust discussion about UK broadcasting and the BBC in particular, a frank exchange of differing views. And for those of you who weren't there …
At tonight's meeting we welcomed Lorna (Sharpe) to our fold. She's been a keen writer from an early age and quite an active one with a writing group in Dumfries & Galloway before moving recently to Biggar. Lorna did confess her previous group mutated from a writing group to a wine appreciation group in later years, so she's a little out of practice. However, she hopes to renew her writing habits by joining us, and we very much welcome her arrival.
We've had a tentative enquiry from representatives of the Citizen's Theatre Glasgow about getting involved with one of their projects relating to Leadhills. The consensus is that we should investigate further, but in principle an "artistic hook-up" of some sort, participation and collaboration must be a good thing, and may be very exciting and very enjoyable. Neil has agreed to seek further information.
This week's challenge was to present a piece of creative writing using a celebrity or famous historical figure or famous fictional character as inspiration. Jane presented An Unlikely Ally which was an "eye-witness" account of the wounding of Horatio Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. The historical context and the horror of battle were brilliantly captured, and as with many of Jane's pieces there was a little surprise at the end: the unlikely ally and eye-witness was none other than one of the ship's rats.
Neil chose to write a piece on a dead celebrity - John Lennon - imagined here in Probably Not as having survived the assassination attempt back in 1980. So Lennon is 80 and giving an interview after living 40 years more or less as a recluse. The piece touches on the (imagined) thoughts and feelings of Lennon on his surviving Beatles mates, Paul and Ringo, and Yoko and his children, Julian and Sean, and his place in history as a vocal peacenik.
Jane suggested the next challenge: to write a creative piece mentioning every colour of the rainbow (ROYGBIV) without ever mentioning a rainbow or a prism. Note: the colours do not have to be mentioned in their rainbow order - we thought that would be too restrictive.
We had a short discussion about future meetings. Biggar Library has re-opened this week and some of us were nursing hopes we might get back there soon for our meetings. However, with COVID restrictions being tightened up again we cannot be sure of anything. Neil agreed to check the status and possibilities with the Library and report back. Until further notice meetings will still be remote via Zoom. We also noted that, even when we resume regularly at the library, there may be reasons why some cannot attend in person, and given the success of the Zoom meetings we agreed a way round this would be for someone to bring a laptop to the library so anyone who could not personally attend could Zoom in on us at the library. Seems like a sensible step.
Before we closed out, we had a short but robust discussion about UK broadcasting and the BBC in particular, a frank exchange of differing views. And for those of you who weren't there …
8 September 2020
The latest challenge was to write a monologue and the meeting had two pieces to discuss. First up was a submission from Jane entitled I Used To Dance, musings of an old lady on her days of youth and flirting and dancing. As usual with Jane's pieces there was a little twist at the end when it is revealed the lady is actually talking to her dog. The whole thing was as inventive as ever - we're getting used to this with Jane - and thoroughly enjoyable.
The second piece was from Neil called The Family Will, which had the speaker telling his story of how a will tore apart his family. Interestingly, the meeting felt Neil's piece was more of a short story, with much praiseworthy about it, but not really a monologue, provoking a short discussion on the nature of a monologue. A theme we think we will return to in the future. A short discussion on domestic rows and domestic disasters also followed Neil's piece, family conflict being of course a staple of all forms of storytelling.
Maggie reminded us that in these straightened times writing competitions are still there to be entered (and won!) if we should be interested. We may also be inspired or aided by creative writing courses, which abound. Maggie has forwarded information on this subject from award winning author Janis Mackay and this material will be circulated to members.
We also had a short discussion on magazines and journals which cater for active writers. There are a number of these and Maggie and Jonathan can be contacted for specific recommendations.
We took some debating this week's challenge and plumped for writing a piece featuring, or based on, or inspired by, a celebrity, a well-known historical figure or well-known fictional character. Try to avoid plagiarism or libel!
In the current circumstances we felt our next meeting would again be on-line via zoom on the 22nd.
The latest challenge was to write a monologue and the meeting had two pieces to discuss. First up was a submission from Jane entitled I Used To Dance, musings of an old lady on her days of youth and flirting and dancing. As usual with Jane's pieces there was a little twist at the end when it is revealed the lady is actually talking to her dog. The whole thing was as inventive as ever - we're getting used to this with Jane - and thoroughly enjoyable.
The second piece was from Neil called The Family Will, which had the speaker telling his story of how a will tore apart his family. Interestingly, the meeting felt Neil's piece was more of a short story, with much praiseworthy about it, but not really a monologue, provoking a short discussion on the nature of a monologue. A theme we think we will return to in the future. A short discussion on domestic rows and domestic disasters also followed Neil's piece, family conflict being of course a staple of all forms of storytelling.
Maggie reminded us that in these straightened times writing competitions are still there to be entered (and won!) if we should be interested. We may also be inspired or aided by creative writing courses, which abound. Maggie has forwarded information on this subject from award winning author Janis Mackay and this material will be circulated to members.
We also had a short discussion on magazines and journals which cater for active writers. There are a number of these and Maggie and Jonathan can be contacted for specific recommendations.
We took some debating this week's challenge and plumped for writing a piece featuring, or based on, or inspired by, a celebrity, a well-known historical figure or well-known fictional character. Try to avoid plagiarism or libel!
In the current circumstances we felt our next meeting would again be on-line via zoom on the 22nd.
25 August 2020
Tonight's meeting was sparsely attended but otherwise a most enjoyable get together. Neil was a little dismayed to find that not every one of his acquaintance appeared to know about his personal website, created to promote his writing. For the record it is www.neilaldersonedmonds.com. Neil would like everyone to have a look and spread the word - he needs the publicity!
Neil has also been busy purchasing, from Amazon, the two Biggar Writers Group publications, From Under A Bushel and Colours. They were produced before his time (in the group) but he felt a need to have his own copies. Amazon say they can supply, though Maggie was a little sceptical. Where would they get the copies from? She was the holder of some stock and she hadn't heard anything! Well, Amazon are telling Neil they'll deliver by the 27th/28th so we'll have to see how that pans out. (Post meeting note: Neil checked on the Amazon website and the order is stalled at step one of the delivery process, which is basically just accepting the order. Something in what Maggie had to say?)
Neil and Jane both had submissions on last time's challenge, which was to write a short story based on a "true" event/story from our own family's history. Neil presented The San Gwann Ghost, set in Malta in the 1930s. This concerned a bunch of Matelots (pronounced Matlows) of the Royal Navy Med. Fleet discussing the notorious "ghost" of San Gwann and the "availability" of the local single women, some of who are conveniently terrified of the ghost. One keen matelot decides to do something drastic about it with tragic, if comic, consequences.
Jane presented her story Stolen Moments set during the Second World War in the Middle East with a coda 50 years later. It concerns a newlywed soldier called up and sent overseas within months of his wife giving birth to their first child. He's lonely and desperately misses his family and succumbs to the charms of a local woman, who blessedly wants nothing more than to comfort him. Still, his adultery bothers him greatly because he truly loves his wife. Flashing forward we see him at his 50th Wedding Anniversary party and it's clear that his marriage was a long and happy one, unaffected by the indiscretions of the past.
It's a sweet tale, very much in the "tradition" of Jane's Tinned Secrets, which the attentive among you will know has been accepted for publication in the magazine Yours around October, when they're doing a short-story/writing special edition. We hope Stolen Moments finds an outlet and an audience too. In any case, if you haven't already, drop a line to Jane and congratulate her on her success.
For this week's challenge we've come up with an interesting one, something we think Mandy Miekle might find to her taste: write a monologue - you know the sort of thing, a Talking Head type piece - on any subject close to your heart. Maggie has been monitoring various artistic outlets lately and has come across how certain groups are tackling the restrictions of the lockdown. The National Theatre of Scotland, for example, have been producing stuff involving a limited number of players, to abide by the social distancing precepts, in innovative ways, along with some solo artist material. This parallels our latest challenge, a monologue, in many ways and some of us might find this link - https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/scenes-for-survival
- useful for inspiration.
We had a long discussion about the venue for the next meeting since we had raised the possibility of meeting in the Crown in Biggar, for a change, as a way of easing out of lockdown (for us). With current developments with increased infection rates of the dreaded Covid19, we felt it premature and unwise to pursue the "public" meeting. We also, despite the odd rumour surfacing now and again, still have no idea when Biggar Library will be available again. So we decided, sadly, that the Zoom platform meetings will have to continue for the foreseeable and the next one will be on schedule in a fortnight, Tuesday 8th September, hosted by Maggie as usual.
Tonight's meeting was sparsely attended but otherwise a most enjoyable get together. Neil was a little dismayed to find that not every one of his acquaintance appeared to know about his personal website, created to promote his writing. For the record it is www.neilaldersonedmonds.com. Neil would like everyone to have a look and spread the word - he needs the publicity!
Neil has also been busy purchasing, from Amazon, the two Biggar Writers Group publications, From Under A Bushel and Colours. They were produced before his time (in the group) but he felt a need to have his own copies. Amazon say they can supply, though Maggie was a little sceptical. Where would they get the copies from? She was the holder of some stock and she hadn't heard anything! Well, Amazon are telling Neil they'll deliver by the 27th/28th so we'll have to see how that pans out. (Post meeting note: Neil checked on the Amazon website and the order is stalled at step one of the delivery process, which is basically just accepting the order. Something in what Maggie had to say?)
Neil and Jane both had submissions on last time's challenge, which was to write a short story based on a "true" event/story from our own family's history. Neil presented The San Gwann Ghost, set in Malta in the 1930s. This concerned a bunch of Matelots (pronounced Matlows) of the Royal Navy Med. Fleet discussing the notorious "ghost" of San Gwann and the "availability" of the local single women, some of who are conveniently terrified of the ghost. One keen matelot decides to do something drastic about it with tragic, if comic, consequences.
Jane presented her story Stolen Moments set during the Second World War in the Middle East with a coda 50 years later. It concerns a newlywed soldier called up and sent overseas within months of his wife giving birth to their first child. He's lonely and desperately misses his family and succumbs to the charms of a local woman, who blessedly wants nothing more than to comfort him. Still, his adultery bothers him greatly because he truly loves his wife. Flashing forward we see him at his 50th Wedding Anniversary party and it's clear that his marriage was a long and happy one, unaffected by the indiscretions of the past.
It's a sweet tale, very much in the "tradition" of Jane's Tinned Secrets, which the attentive among you will know has been accepted for publication in the magazine Yours around October, when they're doing a short-story/writing special edition. We hope Stolen Moments finds an outlet and an audience too. In any case, if you haven't already, drop a line to Jane and congratulate her on her success.
For this week's challenge we've come up with an interesting one, something we think Mandy Miekle might find to her taste: write a monologue - you know the sort of thing, a Talking Head type piece - on any subject close to your heart. Maggie has been monitoring various artistic outlets lately and has come across how certain groups are tackling the restrictions of the lockdown. The National Theatre of Scotland, for example, have been producing stuff involving a limited number of players, to abide by the social distancing precepts, in innovative ways, along with some solo artist material. This parallels our latest challenge, a monologue, in many ways and some of us might find this link - https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/scenes-for-survival
- useful for inspiration.
We had a long discussion about the venue for the next meeting since we had raised the possibility of meeting in the Crown in Biggar, for a change, as a way of easing out of lockdown (for us). With current developments with increased infection rates of the dreaded Covid19, we felt it premature and unwise to pursue the "public" meeting. We also, despite the odd rumour surfacing now and again, still have no idea when Biggar Library will be available again. So we decided, sadly, that the Zoom platform meetings will have to continue for the foreseeable and the next one will be on schedule in a fortnight, Tuesday 8th September, hosted by Maggie as usual.
11 August 2020
Following the cancellation of our last meeting we picked up again this time with a long discussion about life, the universe and everything, including some discussion of Neil's super-duper new personal website. We did get round to a little pertinent business, though. First, we made note that the end of the era of Zoom meetings may be approaching. We anticipate another one in a fortnight, but reading the runes suggests by September we may well be back at the library. We hope so. If it's later in September the early September meeting may be held at The Crown in Biggar, or some other suitable hostelry, if members are keen on this idea. A nice change, so to speak. We will collect views on the 25th.
The second piece of business was our latest challenge, open of course to all members, not just those at the meeting. We had been highly "reflective" and shared quite a few anecdotes, so someone, I think Jonathan, if I want to point a finger, suggested our challenge should be to write a short story based on a true life event/story from our own family history. So that's it folks, get scribbling.
Following the cancellation of our last meeting we picked up again this time with a long discussion about life, the universe and everything, including some discussion of Neil's super-duper new personal website. We did get round to a little pertinent business, though. First, we made note that the end of the era of Zoom meetings may be approaching. We anticipate another one in a fortnight, but reading the runes suggests by September we may well be back at the library. We hope so. If it's later in September the early September meeting may be held at The Crown in Biggar, or some other suitable hostelry, if members are keen on this idea. A nice change, so to speak. We will collect views on the 25th.
The second piece of business was our latest challenge, open of course to all members, not just those at the meeting. We had been highly "reflective" and shared quite a few anecdotes, so someone, I think Jonathan, if I want to point a finger, suggested our challenge should be to write a short story based on a true life event/story from our own family history. So that's it folks, get scribbling.
14 July 2020
The meeting opened with a short discussion about books and their film adaptations.
Jane presented her short story, Boys Night Out, based on a line from Dr Zhivago, "Yet he did not know that his hour was close at hand." This was a tight little piece about a gang leader and his demise. Jane created believable characters and a convincing plot with some wonderful phrases, creating a mood of menace and dark inevitability throughout. Some technical issues around paragraphing, punctuation and style were addressed. A very strong story can be blighted by small technical indiscretions that might offend a potential purchaser. Having said that, top marks to Jane for storytelling.
In response to the same challenge Neil selected a line (at random) from Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop. He managed to successfully smuggle the complete sentence into the middle of his piece The Price Is Right, a short story set in Victorian England employing (or at least trying to) appropriate period language and literary constructions. The story concerns a recently acquitted (from some unspecified charge) private investigator (or someone of similar ilk) being drawn into a conflict between a taverner and a bunch of "scoundrels". The story contains a lot of unexplained background and reads rather like a Chapter 1 of a longer story which Neil may develop later. Jane and Maggie provided some welcome snippets of advice concerning language (particularly of the archaic) and grammar.
For those of us aspiring to get something published, Maggie had something to say about the use of Blogs, like WordPress, and other outlets that help get one noticed by building a following of sorts in some shape or form.
We also reviewed our latest group publicity efforts which have prompted some small but welcome notes of interest through the Biggar community website. We have also confirmed, as suspected, that many past members who still receive our email circulars are really no longer interested.
We finished the meeting with a discussion about new challenges. The following ideas were floated: write a song lyric to a well-known tune, write an original joke, write an advertisement (TV or radio script). Jane also suggested we consider setting a character driven challenge like setting a piece around a known existing character, either a living celebrity, a well-known fictional character, or well-known historical figure. So there are a few in the pot stewing for future use.
However, this week's challenge is to construct a piece around a self-selected everyday household object. Good luck, everyone!
The meeting opened with a short discussion about books and their film adaptations.
Jane presented her short story, Boys Night Out, based on a line from Dr Zhivago, "Yet he did not know that his hour was close at hand." This was a tight little piece about a gang leader and his demise. Jane created believable characters and a convincing plot with some wonderful phrases, creating a mood of menace and dark inevitability throughout. Some technical issues around paragraphing, punctuation and style were addressed. A very strong story can be blighted by small technical indiscretions that might offend a potential purchaser. Having said that, top marks to Jane for storytelling.
In response to the same challenge Neil selected a line (at random) from Charles Dickens' The Old Curiosity Shop. He managed to successfully smuggle the complete sentence into the middle of his piece The Price Is Right, a short story set in Victorian England employing (or at least trying to) appropriate period language and literary constructions. The story concerns a recently acquitted (from some unspecified charge) private investigator (or someone of similar ilk) being drawn into a conflict between a taverner and a bunch of "scoundrels". The story contains a lot of unexplained background and reads rather like a Chapter 1 of a longer story which Neil may develop later. Jane and Maggie provided some welcome snippets of advice concerning language (particularly of the archaic) and grammar.
For those of us aspiring to get something published, Maggie had something to say about the use of Blogs, like WordPress, and other outlets that help get one noticed by building a following of sorts in some shape or form.
We also reviewed our latest group publicity efforts which have prompted some small but welcome notes of interest through the Biggar community website. We have also confirmed, as suspected, that many past members who still receive our email circulars are really no longer interested.
We finished the meeting with a discussion about new challenges. The following ideas were floated: write a song lyric to a well-known tune, write an original joke, write an advertisement (TV or radio script). Jane also suggested we consider setting a character driven challenge like setting a piece around a known existing character, either a living celebrity, a well-known fictional character, or well-known historical figure. So there are a few in the pot stewing for future use.
However, this week's challenge is to construct a piece around a self-selected everyday household object. Good luck, everyone!
30 June 2020
The meeting spent a little time discussing a new project of Maggie's, who wishes to develop an educational / training tool combining her expertise in change management and her writing skills. Hopefully Maggie will produce a good, strong but simple, story line to carry and complement the messages she'd like to convey. We await the outcome but we have also committed to giving her feedback as soon as she has produced something substantial.
There followed a discussion, carrying on from last time's AGM, and with respect to Maggie's aforementioned project, about the purpose and priorities of the group. The consensus seemed to be that we were primarily about supporting and encouraging and helping with the writing aspirations of the members whatever they are while having fun doing it. We will continue to set ourselves challenges to stretch ourselves, technically and imaginatively, but recognise that not every challenge is for every member, and we are always available to discuss and critique whatever writing projects any members wish to share.
In a similar vein, we had a short discussion about self-publishing, a perennial favourite topic with a range of views in the group. It was suggested we might consider presenting some material (or a workshop) on the self-publishing game if there is enough interest in the matter.
The challenge from the last meeting was to produce a piece on the subject of love. Both Neil and Jane had completed short stories while Maggie said she'd been developing a poem and would send it round for us to read in the near future (if she has the time!)
Neil's piece was a story called The Most Beautiful Woman in The World. Three men working away from home are drinking in a bar discussing their on-the-road lifestyle and the effects on their wives back home. One man reveals he's packing it in because he wants to be home with the most beautiful woman in the world - his wife - every day. A short and sweet (so said Maggie) story.
Jane's piece was called Tinned Secrets, a tight mystery short story detailing a cruel but necessary deception which nevertheless had a happy ending. As ever, Jane came up with an original and beguiling story line. Some of us thought it would make a very good radio play. A story with a great plot and excellent characterisation.
It was left to Maggie to make this week's challenge. So here it is: Pick a book randomly from your bookshelf, turn to page 15, select a phrase or sentence that catches your eye, and then do something with that phrase: use it as inspiration for whatever you care to write. Quite a challenge!
The meeting spent a little time discussing a new project of Maggie's, who wishes to develop an educational / training tool combining her expertise in change management and her writing skills. Hopefully Maggie will produce a good, strong but simple, story line to carry and complement the messages she'd like to convey. We await the outcome but we have also committed to giving her feedback as soon as she has produced something substantial.
There followed a discussion, carrying on from last time's AGM, and with respect to Maggie's aforementioned project, about the purpose and priorities of the group. The consensus seemed to be that we were primarily about supporting and encouraging and helping with the writing aspirations of the members whatever they are while having fun doing it. We will continue to set ourselves challenges to stretch ourselves, technically and imaginatively, but recognise that not every challenge is for every member, and we are always available to discuss and critique whatever writing projects any members wish to share.
In a similar vein, we had a short discussion about self-publishing, a perennial favourite topic with a range of views in the group. It was suggested we might consider presenting some material (or a workshop) on the self-publishing game if there is enough interest in the matter.
The challenge from the last meeting was to produce a piece on the subject of love. Both Neil and Jane had completed short stories while Maggie said she'd been developing a poem and would send it round for us to read in the near future (if she has the time!)
Neil's piece was a story called The Most Beautiful Woman in The World. Three men working away from home are drinking in a bar discussing their on-the-road lifestyle and the effects on their wives back home. One man reveals he's packing it in because he wants to be home with the most beautiful woman in the world - his wife - every day. A short and sweet (so said Maggie) story.
Jane's piece was called Tinned Secrets, a tight mystery short story detailing a cruel but necessary deception which nevertheless had a happy ending. As ever, Jane came up with an original and beguiling story line. Some of us thought it would make a very good radio play. A story with a great plot and excellent characterisation.
It was left to Maggie to make this week's challenge. So here it is: Pick a book randomly from your bookshelf, turn to page 15, select a phrase or sentence that catches your eye, and then do something with that phrase: use it as inspiration for whatever you care to write. Quite a challenge!
Tuesday 16 June 2020
This week's meeting was combined with the delayed AGM.
Aside from the AGM and in keeping with what has proved to be a popular item, it was suggested by Neil that our ‘homework’ topic should involve the word LOVE. This may be a short story, a poem or whatever. All contributions welcome.
The minutes for the AGM are as follows:
This week's meeting was combined with the delayed AGM.
Aside from the AGM and in keeping with what has proved to be a popular item, it was suggested by Neil that our ‘homework’ topic should involve the word LOVE. This may be a short story, a poem or whatever. All contributions welcome.
The minutes for the AGM are as follows:
Biggar Writers Group
Annual General Meeting covering 2019
and heard at 16th June 2020
Charity Number: SC039762
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://biggarwriters.weebly.com
Apologies and attendances. The virtual meeting was attended by:
Neil Edmonds
Jonathan Morton-Nicolls
Jane Brydon
Maggie McGeary
Mandy Meikle
Stephen Calveley
There were no apologies received
Minutes of previous AGM There were no minutes available or produced for the previous AGM. I would respectfully point out; the last AGM was on 30th April 2018, when Nicole Tait was secretary. I took over the role in May of that year.
The AGM minutes which were available, those produced by Jen Whyte in 2017, were e-mailed to all members prior to 16th June.
Annual Report by the Chairperson and/or Secretary 2019 began with our meeting in the Legion Hall on 15th January, when we discussed ideas for increasing membership and a venue for our Christmas Dinner! (in February).
Later that month saw us review 2018’s programme and outline some of the coming features for 2019. It was agreed we would try increasing our membership, but only by three or four who could regularly attend and contribute towards the content and running of the Group. Anne advised a new poster would be available for the next meeting and this could be distributed to various notice boards, shop windows, hotel receptions, libraries and perhaps our local bookshop, to highlight our existence. Anne has also undertaken to further develop our Facebook page. Jonathan pledged to update the website and monitor e-mails to the Group.
It was intended that future group e-mails, would include sections on different types of poetry, fiction and non-fiction and guidelines as to how to best present your work. We would also be informed of publications which may be of interest and of writing and poetry competitions worth entering. We looked too, to members for any contributions of interest and any ideas to help us as a Group
Amidst growing dissatisfaction with our venue at the Legion Hall, we started looking at alternatives and by May, Neil had reached agreement whereby we could use the Reading Room at Biggar Library and we could start there from 4th June. Although there was no kitchen facility, the library offered to put out a vacuum flask of hot water, free gratis.
It was agreed; this would be a far better venue, more conducive the whole ethos of our writing group and no doubt would prove inspirational to all.
I mid June James, our resident ‘Autist’, shared his experiences in finally achieving his life’s ambition to be a published author, with an interesting tale of perseverance, hard work and sheer determination; almost worthy of a book itself. His first publication, Dear Miss Landau was followed by ‘The Legend of John Macnab.’ I have a feeling there will be more to come.
We had a brief discussion about the merits of being part of the 2019 Biggar Little Festival, but unfortunately nothing came to fruition. Perhaps 2020. .
In June, Neil produced a new poster to promote the group and set about distributing it throughout the town. He also volunteered to take on the task of further developing the website and our facebook page.
In July we were delighted to be joined by Anne, who despite her illness, made the effort to attend. We were all saddened by her news that her illness was terminal.
In view of Anne’s situation, it was agreed Neil would take on the role of chairman.
July saw the announcement of a writing competition through Biggar Community Council, for the Biggar Science Festival. Jonathan and Neil submitted entries and I think they are keeping quiet about their success!
We were given the sad news in July that James was to leave us. Having received an offer on his house, he had set a date of 20thSeptember to move on to pastures new and in fact he is leaving Scotland and heading across the border to sunny Shifnal in Central England. Having once stayed there myself, I know it to be a delightful small village and I can only sympathise with the peace-loving residents as they have no idea just what is about to hit them!
It was agreed we would miss his contribution; his dry wit, acerbic critique and whole-hearted effort he always put in. I am sure he and Drusilla will enjoy a happy, interesting and thoroughly satisfying future. We’ll keep an eye out too for that third novel too. On the 8th September we gathered in the Crown, Biggar and gave James a fitting send-off and he was good enough to e-mail us the following day:
‘Just wanted to say thanks for a great night last night and hopefully it won’t be forever – I’ll be back up on occasions.’
Neil continued his sterling work on our revised facebook page and the website. For those of you who have not yet managed, would you please be good enough to pass him a brief biography. It doesn’t have to be a budding booker prize contender, just a few lines about who you are, where you are from, what you have been doing in your life and why you are so excited (!) to be part of Biggar Writers. Neil ensured we had A5 flyers available for promoting our group and anyone who requires one or more should ask him.
August saw the arrival of Mandy to our group. Another frustrated writer! Mandy’s input was immediate and she was able to join in a clever writing exercise set by Jonathan.
September brought us the final chapter of Neil’s latest novel, ‘After Elvis Died.’ Yet another example of the talent within our little group.
October saw the introduction of ‘homework’ as part of our fortnightly agenda and very popular this has proved to be. We also discussed the Bridport Prize competition. There are a number of different categories and latest entry date was for 31st May 2020. There was some definite interest and no doubt some of us would be working towards entering.
We received some bad news in November. On the 7th Anne battle with cancer came to an end and sadly she passed away. She was just 61. She left three daughters, Mary, Paula and Emma.
Our final meeting for 2019 was on 11th December when we met in the Crown, Biggar. Despite too much good food and copious amounts of alcohol, a great time was had by all and it was agreed we would meet again on 15th January 2020.
The first meeting of 2020 was in fact held on the 7th January when we were delighted to welcome the return of Maggie and also a newcomer, Rose of the U3A. Rose had joined us to determine whether or not our group would appeal to U3A members with an interest in creative writing. As she did not return we can only assume it wasn’t for her! I think the fact we meet in the evening was off-putting for those who prefer to join daytime activities.
We discussed the forthcoming Bridport Prize, a writing competition covering four main themes. A number of members expressed an interest and we said we would review the situation as we neared the entry deadline of 31st May. In the meantime Jonathan treated us to one of his infamous word exercises, which resulted in a new ‘Mandyspeak’ expression of ‘wobble cement!’
February saw us tackling Maggie’s homework exercises and taking a number of well known similes, whereby instead of completing the original per se, changing the meaning to one of complete absurdity or an opposite view. For example:
It fits like a (glove)…Rastafarians’ bunnet.
As hot as (hell)…a leaky car radiator.
This was followed by writing a ridiculous/humorous poem about one of these controversial topics:
Australian Bush Fires The Corona Virus President Trump’s impeachment HS2 Social media harassment
Well you could never say it’s boring! The month also hailed the arrival of Jane into our group and immediately we were made aware of her ability as a creative writer. We look forward to hearing and reading her work.
Stepping in to March brought another interesting ‘homework’ topic in a 1000-word essay on the picture shown on a randomly dealt postcard. The resultant stories were brilliant and served to underline the depth of talent within our group. Unfortunately the month also saw the last meeting at the Library as it had to go into lockdown due to the corona virus pandemic.
The wonders of technology never cease to impress me. Thanks to Maggie’s initiative and the medium of Zoom, a cloud-based video conferencing service, our Biggar Writers meetings were able to continue, albeit virtually, on 7th April 2020. Although missing that personal interaction, these meetings have proved a success. Discussion and homework projects have thrived and covered such issues as the pandemic itself, short screenplays as suggested by Jane and samples of our own, individual works.
In May Jonathan proposed writing about a single character and putting him/her in a particular situation (of conflict perhaps) which would demonstrate the character’s personality/ foibles/properties. The resultant submissions covered such situations as a retail customer demanding a refund in Neil’s ‘The Refund’, a stark look at living a lie in marriage in Jane’s ‘Character Development’ and Stephen’s true account of romance and war in ‘The day war broke out I was there.’ Three further examples which serve to demonstrate the talent and entertainment values within our group.
On the subject of homework, I would stress this is an optional feature of what we, as a group, do to further our own talents. This is not school. This is an option and we appreciate we all have lives outside of Biggar Writers. If there are specific objections to this topic then don’t do it. It’s that simple. Personally, I think it’s a great idea and one which has helped during this difficult period of our virtual involvement.
The end of May also brought closure for entries to the Bridport Prize. As far as I am aware, submissions have been made by Neil, in the novel category and Stephen, in flash fiction. Results will be announced later in the year.
June brought us Maggie’s challenge of writing a ballad. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but this did not prevent some bold pieces such as Neil’s ‘Ballad of Dom and Bojo’ and Jane’s ‘The Fate of the Whisky Guzzler’ the latter being just a little too close for my own comfort.
And so to the AGM and beyond. We look forward to developing our talents and producing more fine work and entertainment over the coming 12-months. Thank you all for your contributions.
Statement of Accounts: Jonathan produced a statement of accounts for the year to 31st March 2020. Copies were e-mailed to all members prior to the meeting. Jonathan guided us through the figures and it was noted there is a current balance of £476.17 in the group account. It appeared that as a group we spent out more than we had coming in. It was explained by Jonathan that whilst this was the case, the Legion Hall had proved quite expensive when our membership was struggling with a core attendance of three. The Reading Room at Biggar Library is less expensive at £14/night and our membership has evened out at a core number of six, which is easily sustainable.
It was agreed our annual membership will remain at £10/annum and once we are able to return to the library, our subscriptions will stay at £3/meeting. Membership should run from AGM to AGM, therefore, this will now become due. Jonathan will forward details on how to pay this into the group bank account.
Election of Office Bearers:
As the current office bearers expressed a willingness to continue in their respective roles and as there were no other proposals, the positions remain unchanged and are as follows:
Chairperson: Neil Edmonds
Treasurer: Jonathan Morton-Nicolls
Secretary: Stephen Calveley
Confirmation of Independent Financial Examiner: Without exception all members expressed their satisfaction with Jonathan as treasurer and agreed he does a sterling job. As such, there is no requirement for an independent financial examiner unless this is a required in us maintaining charity status, in which case Jonathan will deal with it as may be necessary.
Charity Status: Charity Number: SC039762.
We discussed whether or not we should continue as a charity. Jonathan advised that the administrative aspect is not a problem for him and to resign from being a charity would result in having to close our group bank account and could lead to us struggling to try and achieve any further grant funding. By remaining as a charity we can also involve ourselves in various ways to raise funds for the group. It was, therefore, unanimously agreed we should retain our charity status and that our group objects should remain unchanged, as below:
Objects: ‘The charitable objects of the Group shall be the advancement of education and the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture of local writers and the wider community of Biggar, by promoting creative writing in Biggar and its environs, providing peer support to local writers and by contributing to the cultural life of the community.’
Revue of Constitution: As none of us has a copy of our constitution it could not be reviewed. Jonathan offered to look into this and to e-mail copies to members. In the meantime our current group statement remains as follows:
Membership of the Group shall be open to any adult member of the community who shares its objects, irrespective of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, political or religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Individuals shall be admitted to membership by attending Group meetings and on payment of a nominal annual subscription. Each member shall have the same rights and duties, which shall be:
to abide by the rules of the constitution of the Group to respect the other members of the Group and their work to vote on and respect any decisions which the Group might take in the furtherance of its objects
The Group reserves the right to terminate, by the common consent of the Group, the membership of any individual who fails to abide by its rules. Any member whose expulsion is contemplated shall have the right to appeal to the Chairperson of the Group.
A nominal annual subscription shall be collected by the Treasurer of the Group at the Group's AGM, and shall be used to meet administrative costs associated with membership.
Any Other Business Maintaining a Group Facebook can be time-consuming and it was felt a more pro-active approach would be to place relevant notes and announcements on the Biggar Community Facebook. It is understood Neil will deal with this. We will continue with our announcements on the Community Pinboard of the Lanark Gazette as not everybody has access to Facebook. It was noted too, that it was mention of Biggar Writers in the Gazette that encouraged one or two of our current members to join; myself included. The subject of Writers Workshops came up, covering Poetry and Writing. As there is interest in pursuing this, it was suggested we should make enquiries about who and what is available and the costs. The last workshop organised through Biggar Writers was for a half day, which cost £300. As we continue as a charitable organisation, there may be grants or funding available. Although no single individual was elected to investigate this, Stephen will make some enquiries, but would ask if other members could also do the same. Once we know what is out there we can discuss this further and perhaps draw up a wish list. The name Janice McKay was suggested, but we will know more once Maggie has had the opportunity to look into it. We should also consider ‘How to@ workshops covering such topics as how to self-publish, how to find an agent, how to have your work printed and how to copyright your work. In the interests of having access to further opportunities of learning and developing our craft, Stephen suggested we should make enquiries about the Scottish Association of Writers and the Scottish Book Trust. Further information on these will be submitted in due course. Membership has levelled out to a core number of six, although a number of others continue to be sent our group e-mail. With our proposed announcements going on the Biggar Community Facebook, the posters produced by Neil, already distributed about the town and a presence on Lanark Gazette’s Community Pinboard, we will monitor future interest, but not push to dramatically increase numbers. Neil has taken on the challenge of contacting past members to determine whether they may be persuaded into making a return. Stephen will pass what e-mail addresses and contact names he has to aid this. The subject of Biggar Little Festival came up. Some members stated that as a local organisation connected with the arts, we should have some form of representation. Stephen will contact the Festival Chairman, Jim Softly, to ascertain the format for both 2020 and 2021 and will report back to the group on this. We are very fortunate in that a town the size of Biggar has such a fabulous book shop as Atkinson-Pryce. We will work toward improving the group’s relationship with the owners and seeing if there are some mutually beneficial arrangements which can be reached. Watch this space. Member’s events. Although we touched briefly on games nights and outings, Mandy suggested the group should concentrate more on the creative element; how to learn more about creative writing through courses and specific workshops and talks. Whilst I recognise the benefit of this, on a personal note the Writers Group must first and foremost be about having fun and enjoying activities centred around creative writing and encouraging each other through reading and constructive criticism. The group e-mail, sent out each fortnight, endeavours to help our learning a number of ways: ‘Tip of the week.’ At no time do I claim to be an expert in the field of English language or literature, but I do read and I do try to learn by looking up specific areas on developing skills in writing. This topic offers some ideas on a variety of subjects designed to help with your creative writing. ‘Poem of the week.’ Poems by recognised, accomplished poets are included and are to help us learn the structure and language used by these successful practitioners. ‘Short story of the week.’ The development of creative writing can be assisted surely through reading works by acclaimed, award winning authors. All of the short stories I include are by such writers and are there, as with the other topics, to help us learn how to put a good story together. ‘Quotation of the week.’ These are not included simply to take up space. They should be thought provoking. A remembered quotation is like the first line of a story. It should have instant impact and almost force the reader to delve further into what the author/writer is trying to say. ‘Book of the Week.’ How can we hope to improve our writing ability without reading? This topic always features an award-winning author and I try to include a variety of subjects and genre aimed at opening up your ideas and helping your creativity. ‘*New Feature - Scottish Authors.’ If you are looking to succeed in your home country, what better area to investigate than successful Scottish Authors. What and how have they written to achieve their recognition, acclaim and awards? By looking at both historic and current successes surely there is something to be learned and through this, surely too it could impact on how you write. ‘And on this day in history, 16th June…etc’ In including this topic I try to find details of significant Scottish authors and poets and where these are not listed, other characters who have had some lasting influence upon the UK in some way. Similarly with events, if there have been any relevant to Scotland they are included. Where there are few or none, I will note those of significance and which can inspire writers to delve further into the story and perhaps act as a catalyst for other spin-off stories.
I am aware there so many creative writing courses, online, by post and by attending evening classes. For me, Biggar Writers offers personal interaction, fun, entertainment and camaradie. The two hours spent together each two-weeks, should be exactly what it is; participating in entertaining exercises, which increase knowledge and inspire imagination. The feedback and critique of each others’ work is invaluable in progressing our skills, whilst at the same time encouraging us through lean spells. Biggar Writers is an escape from life outside of the group. For me personally it has been a lifeline, an ongoing therapeutic solution to what was a particularly dark period. However, I accept this is just my view. Should any member/s wish for changes to be made then please put that forward. Each time I send a group e-mail I ask for feedback and contributions; to date I have received none. From that I presume you are either quite happy with the format or that you don’t actually read it. Either way, until change is requested the format will continue as is and I will continue to contribute to and support Biggar Writers for the foreseeable future.
I propose our next AGM should be 12-months on, which would put it on or about Tuesday 15th June 2021.
SJC
Tuesday 2 June 2020
Tonight's meeting was very well attended and as enjoyable as ever. We all noted the difficulty we all found with this week's homework, writing a ballad. Neil submitted his "Ballad of Dom and Bojo", a highly topical theme, being the recent exploits of the controversial Mr Cummings and our present PM. Neil himself admitted to his effort being clunky, and lacking a good rhythm, despite a sympathetic rendering by Jonathan. Mandy also pointed out that it would have benefited from a repeating hook line or chorus.
Jane read out her own piece, "The Fate of the Whisky Guzzler", which did have a cracking repeating hook line at the end of every verse. A neat story too, based on real life, the fortunes of one Murdo MacLeod (not real name) who was light fingered in one respect: if there was whisky about he had to have a shot. A case of lock up your whisky! However, his dark untimely end, thankfully, was pure fiction and as far as we know MM is still pottering around in the Western Isles sneakily snatching a tot or two wherever he plods. Jane's poem was well structured and rhythmical, a good example of a ballad.
Maggie read out a piece she was still working on, searching for a verse and a bit to complete.
The meeting addressed the issue of the outstanding AGM deciding it should comprise part of our next scheduled meeting on the 16 June, again by Zoom, of course. Neil agreed to contact (the absent) Stephen about the minutes from last year's AGM, and Jonathan resolved to get accounts and other paperwork up to speed for discussion/approval.
For homework this week Jane (courtesy of her husband) suggested we attempt to write a piece (short story, poem, flash fiction, whatever medium we like) with the only proviso being that somewhere there must be mention of a chicken on roller skates. What a challenge! With a sense of foreboding we abandoned the meeting to get to grips with this monumental task asap.
Tuesday 19 May 2020
Our virtual meeting went ahead as planned and again it was thanks to the technical wizardry of Zoom. There were a couple of absences, but this did not detract from a most pleasant and entertaining evening.
Neil read his homework piece, ‘The Refund’ which dealt with an unhappy, but savvy customer, determined to elicit a refund on a questionable purchase, which clearly he had no desire to keep. Set in the mid 1970’s, when Neil was just a slip of a lad (in his late 40’s) it highlighted how things have changed in respect of customer service. It appeared that if you made enough noise and threats it was almost guaranteed you would receive that refund. Nowadays, you would need to prove you had actually made the purchase and that there was something wrong with the product rendering it unfit for purpose. Shouting these days triggers a whole different approach and one which could see you locked up. An entertaining piece based upon true events.
Maggie read Jane’s submission, which was an example of character development. Involving a 30-year marriage, it dealt with the wife’s realisation that her sacrifices, loyalty and support for her husband had, it appeared, been taken for granted once too often and breaking point had been reached. An intelligent, emotive observation, which brought the character to life and conjured up images of her final straw. Well done.
Stephen read through a true account of an experience being caught up in a middle-eastern war, but one too, which addressed the extent to which some people will go in pursuit of romance. A little bit factual in places, but I’d like to think entertaining.
Now! A challenge has been set for our next ‘homework’ exercise. We are to produce a ballad! No really, a ballad. It can be on any subject, but it must conform to a particular structure.
Tuesday 5 May 2020
Our latest Zoom enabled meeting was action packed from the off, discussing some of our current individual projects/works. We started with Jane’s radio play, Unjust Prisoner, an innovative take on domestic abuse, given the protagonists were in a gay relationship. I think we all enjoyed performing it, being more fun than a dry read through from the author, as we’ve done before recently with this kind of work. In her emails Jane had expressly asked for some hard criticism, and we did our best to oblige! I think we agreed it was a good idea, with much merit, like good dramatic pacing, but there were many areas that could be improved. We hope our suggestions fuel Jane for the rewrite/upgrade/revision she has in mind.
Mandy presented one of her classic rants – Get It Right Next Time - disguised as an essay/short-story/fantasy-sic-fi combo bursting with hundreds of ideas, which some of us found overwhelming.
Maggie provided some lighter relief with her poems Pet Project, Closing Time and Fine Ants, all of which stimulated some debate. Pet Project grapples with the creative process in a unique way, while Closing Time deals with the effects of social isolation. And we all loved Fine Ants for the sheer fun of it. We recommend you read it, read them all, in fact.
Finally Neil read extracts from the latest chapter of his latest (unfinished) novel, very much a work in progress.
For homework, Jonathan came up with the idea of us each writing a single character and then putting the character in a situation (of conflict perhaps) that demonstrates the character’s personality/foibles/properties. We all agreed that would be an interesting challenge, so we will reconvene by Zoom a fortnight from now, Tuesday 19th May. However, homework submissions can be circulated to the rest ahead of the date for some evaluation/prep. It certainly seems to help.
Our latest Zoom enabled meeting was action packed from the off, discussing some of our current individual projects/works. We started with Jane’s radio play, Unjust Prisoner, an innovative take on domestic abuse, given the protagonists were in a gay relationship. I think we all enjoyed performing it, being more fun than a dry read through from the author, as we’ve done before recently with this kind of work. In her emails Jane had expressly asked for some hard criticism, and we did our best to oblige! I think we agreed it was a good idea, with much merit, like good dramatic pacing, but there were many areas that could be improved. We hope our suggestions fuel Jane for the rewrite/upgrade/revision she has in mind.
Mandy presented one of her classic rants – Get It Right Next Time - disguised as an essay/short-story/fantasy-sic-fi combo bursting with hundreds of ideas, which some of us found overwhelming.
Maggie provided some lighter relief with her poems Pet Project, Closing Time and Fine Ants, all of which stimulated some debate. Pet Project grapples with the creative process in a unique way, while Closing Time deals with the effects of social isolation. And we all loved Fine Ants for the sheer fun of it. We recommend you read it, read them all, in fact.
Finally Neil read extracts from the latest chapter of his latest (unfinished) novel, very much a work in progress.
For homework, Jonathan came up with the idea of us each writing a single character and then putting the character in a situation (of conflict perhaps) that demonstrates the character’s personality/foibles/properties. We all agreed that would be an interesting challenge, so we will reconvene by Zoom a fortnight from now, Tuesday 19th May. However, homework submissions can be circulated to the rest ahead of the date for some evaluation/prep. It certainly seems to help.
Tuesday 21st April 2020
We had our second “Zoom Meeting” and Maggie, Mandy, Jane and Neil performed and reviewed the four scripts submitted this week.
Jane treated us to a second instalment of her Coronavirus inspired Lockdown: Secrets and Confessions, a prequel to her Lockdown House: Act 1, charting some of the dastardly Alex’s machinations, set in a restaurant where Alex is nearly rumbled by the formidable Phillipa. We all acclaimed it as another success, containing wry jokes and classic observations on the nature of the cad and the phenomenon of caddishness.
Neil presented his script Dinner of 6 and 3 Black Ladies based on a (second-hand) true story. Jennifer tells a “blue joke” out of earshot of her authoritarian father and is undone when her dim auntie, who initially didn’t get the joke, blurts out an explanation of the offending punch-line.
Maggie presented her Coronavirus inspired script Lockdown B&B based on her own experiences and characters based on friends, acquaintances and family. The story examines tensions that are exacerbated when people, even close relatives, are forced together by unseen circumstances.
Though Stephen wasn’t around to present his script The Committee, the rest of us decided to perform it anyway, and we very much enjoyed doing so. A typically bitingly witty offering from Stephen with his trademark Scouse inspired observations. What a dreadful bunch of characters he dreamed up to put round the committee table.
We were short of actors with Stephen and Jonathan not joining us, but we doubled up where necessary and everyone enjoyed the experience, even if Mandy betrayed a certain hostility towards foreign languages and Neil had to take on all the male parts. It certainly tested our acting skills, though it was observed that Jane had a bit of talent and gamely tackled all her parts with a certain vivacity, even where Spanish was involved.
Everyone one found the whole experience rewarding, the writing and the acting out of the scripts, if a little taxing, challenging.
By way of lighter relief, we decided this week’s homework would be to prepare a sample of our own private writing projects – novel, script, poetry, short-story, flash-fiction, polemic, sermon, whatever - for scrutiny and debate at our next meeting on Tuesday 5 May, which we assume will be another Zoom meeting. Hopefully, we can all pre-meeting circulate what we would like to present on the 5th. For those that weren’t at this week’s meeting, you are invited to take up the “homework challenge” and join us on the 5th.
Maggie reminded us that we have an AGM to arrange in the near future.
We had our second “Zoom Meeting” and Maggie, Mandy, Jane and Neil performed and reviewed the four scripts submitted this week.
Jane treated us to a second instalment of her Coronavirus inspired Lockdown: Secrets and Confessions, a prequel to her Lockdown House: Act 1, charting some of the dastardly Alex’s machinations, set in a restaurant where Alex is nearly rumbled by the formidable Phillipa. We all acclaimed it as another success, containing wry jokes and classic observations on the nature of the cad and the phenomenon of caddishness.
Neil presented his script Dinner of 6 and 3 Black Ladies based on a (second-hand) true story. Jennifer tells a “blue joke” out of earshot of her authoritarian father and is undone when her dim auntie, who initially didn’t get the joke, blurts out an explanation of the offending punch-line.
Maggie presented her Coronavirus inspired script Lockdown B&B based on her own experiences and characters based on friends, acquaintances and family. The story examines tensions that are exacerbated when people, even close relatives, are forced together by unseen circumstances.
Though Stephen wasn’t around to present his script The Committee, the rest of us decided to perform it anyway, and we very much enjoyed doing so. A typically bitingly witty offering from Stephen with his trademark Scouse inspired observations. What a dreadful bunch of characters he dreamed up to put round the committee table.
We were short of actors with Stephen and Jonathan not joining us, but we doubled up where necessary and everyone enjoyed the experience, even if Mandy betrayed a certain hostility towards foreign languages and Neil had to take on all the male parts. It certainly tested our acting skills, though it was observed that Jane had a bit of talent and gamely tackled all her parts with a certain vivacity, even where Spanish was involved.
Everyone one found the whole experience rewarding, the writing and the acting out of the scripts, if a little taxing, challenging.
By way of lighter relief, we decided this week’s homework would be to prepare a sample of our own private writing projects – novel, script, poetry, short-story, flash-fiction, polemic, sermon, whatever - for scrutiny and debate at our next meeting on Tuesday 5 May, which we assume will be another Zoom meeting. Hopefully, we can all pre-meeting circulate what we would like to present on the 5th. For those that weren’t at this week’s meeting, you are invited to take up the “homework challenge” and join us on the 5th.
Maggie reminded us that we have an AGM to arrange in the near future.
7th April 2020
On Tuesday 7th April we held our first full meeting by way of 21st century technology, Zoom. With Maggie having organised the relevant account and booked our time slot, we managed to have several members exchanging over the air waves and what a success that was. Aside from one or two connection issues, the meeting was most enjoyable, with contributions from all concerned.
We were treated to the fruits of earlier labours, through the homework submissions which addressed the Corona virus; a difficult subject to deal with, in particular as it is current and causing tragic loss of life. However, without exception, the works submitted demonstrated that we as a nation and as a race, are able to draw some good from whatever bad is thrown at us.
Neil’s futuristic look at the aftermath of Covid 19, amused and left us wondering what exactly we see in the television of today.
Mandy’s thought provoking eco-view, reminded us of the cause and cure of most of humanity’s problems has been humanity itself. Very clever.
Stephen’s Ode to Corona gave alternative meanings of the word Corona and took us on a journey covering the Sun’s corona, to the soft-drink of the 70’s, 80’ and 90’s, it’s more alcoholic cousin, the Mexican beer and eventually leading us to a saint of that very name.
Jane’s screenplay, however, took centre stage, with a brilliant observation of the very possible side effects of a family being in ‘Lockdown’. Excellent.
In view of the outstanding short play submitted by Jane , it was agreed we would all try to produce a sketch, on any subject, but with ideally 5-characters and not lasting more than 10-minutes, in time for our next on-line Zoom meeting.
17th March 2020
As is now our format, we started the night with our ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which occurred in our lives during the course of that day or very recently. It never fails to provide surprises and amusement at the goings on in an ordinary, everyday life. Well done.
This was followed by a review of our homework exercise, when we wrote about a randomly selected postcard, taken from our 3rd March meeting. These included a hot, passionate sonnet dealing with goings on in Peru, a smuggling adventure in a highland cave and a ‘Game of Thrones’ like thriller set near a dark castle. Brilliant!
As is now our format, we started the night with our ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which occurred in our lives during the course of that day or very recently. It never fails to provide surprises and amusement at the goings on in an ordinary, everyday life. Well done.
This was followed by a review of our homework exercise, when we wrote about a randomly selected postcard, taken from our 3rd March meeting. These included a hot, passionate sonnet dealing with goings on in Peru, a smuggling adventure in a highland cave and a ‘Game of Thrones’ like thriller set near a dark castle. Brilliant!
3rd March 2020
Once again, our evening on Tuesday 3rd March was well attended and we all had a most interesting and enjoyable time. For those of you who could not make it, subject to government legislation in respect of meeting in public places, do try and join us on the 17th.
We started the night with our ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which occurred in our lives during the course of that day or recently. The wit and reality of what this exercise produces is simply fascinating and thoroughly entertaining.
We followed this with a review of our homework exercise from February, when we looked at similes/proverbs and those not present then were able to review their efforts.
The ‘homework exercise’ for our last meeting was to write a ridiculous/humorous poem about one of the following controversial topics:
The outcome was terrible! Terrible in that we really should not poke fun at such serious topics, but there again, what kind of life is it without being able to be light-hearted now and again. We covered most of the topics with a mixture of what may be described as wit, satire and plain outrageous. Great fun. Well done gang.
On that subject, ‘homework’ for this coming meeting we each were dealt a postcard, about which we are to write a 1,000 word essay. It can be set in any timeframe and any genre, but it must relate to the postcard drawn. Good luck with that. For those of you unable to come n the 3rd, why not take a postcard of your choice and try the exercise with that?
Once again, our evening on Tuesday 3rd March was well attended and we all had a most interesting and enjoyable time. For those of you who could not make it, subject to government legislation in respect of meeting in public places, do try and join us on the 17th.
We started the night with our ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which occurred in our lives during the course of that day or recently. The wit and reality of what this exercise produces is simply fascinating and thoroughly entertaining.
We followed this with a review of our homework exercise from February, when we looked at similes/proverbs and those not present then were able to review their efforts.
The ‘homework exercise’ for our last meeting was to write a ridiculous/humorous poem about one of the following controversial topics:
- Australian Bush Fires
- The Corona Virus
- President Trump’s impeachment
- HS2
- Social media harassment
The outcome was terrible! Terrible in that we really should not poke fun at such serious topics, but there again, what kind of life is it without being able to be light-hearted now and again. We covered most of the topics with a mixture of what may be described as wit, satire and plain outrageous. Great fun. Well done gang.
On that subject, ‘homework’ for this coming meeting we each were dealt a postcard, about which we are to write a 1,000 word essay. It can be set in any timeframe and any genre, but it must relate to the postcard drawn. Good luck with that. For those of you unable to come n the 3rd, why not take a postcard of your choice and try the exercise with that?
18th February 2020
Despite the weather our last meeting, Tuesday 18th February was well attended and for those who did manage, it proved to be a most enjoyable evening.
As has now become the norm’, we all wrote a ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which had occurred in our lives during the course of that day and once again, it surprised us how eventful an ordinary day can be and once again it brought humour and food for thought to the table
This was followed Maggie’s second homework exercise, in taking a number of well known proverbs, instead of completing the original per se, change the meaning to one of complete absurdity or an opposite view. For example:
It fits like a (glove)…Rastafarians’ bunnet.
As hot as (hell)…a leaky car radiator.
Everyone present made a real effort, but rather than summarise it this week, we will roll it over until next time, when those unable to attend on the 18th will have the opportunity to submit their work at the next meeting.
And on the subject of homework, as it has proved so popular, our topic for this week, to be submitted at our 3rd March meeting is as follows:
Write a ridiculous/humourous poem about one of these controversial topics:
I know! Shocking and in poor taste, but go on, give it a go.
Despite the weather our last meeting, Tuesday 18th February was well attended and for those who did manage, it proved to be a most enjoyable evening.
As has now become the norm’, we all wrote a ‘5-minute blast’, a summary of something which had occurred in our lives during the course of that day and once again, it surprised us how eventful an ordinary day can be and once again it brought humour and food for thought to the table
This was followed Maggie’s second homework exercise, in taking a number of well known proverbs, instead of completing the original per se, change the meaning to one of complete absurdity or an opposite view. For example:
It fits like a (glove)…Rastafarians’ bunnet.
As hot as (hell)…a leaky car radiator.
Everyone present made a real effort, but rather than summarise it this week, we will roll it over until next time, when those unable to attend on the 18th will have the opportunity to submit their work at the next meeting.
And on the subject of homework, as it has proved so popular, our topic for this week, to be submitted at our 3rd March meeting is as follows:
Write a ridiculous/humourous poem about one of these controversial topics:
- Australian Bush Fires
- The Corona Virus
- President Trump’s impeachment
- HS2
- Social media harassment
I know! Shocking and in poor taste, but go on, give it a go.
4th February 2020
Our last get-together, 4th February, was once again well attended and we were delighted to welcome another newcomer Jane Brydon. As with our previous meeting, we all wrote a ‘5-minute blast’, a brief summary of something which had occurred in our lives during the course of that day. It really is surprising how eventful an ordinary day can be and without exception, we brought humour and food for thought to the table. Well done.
This was followed by Maggie’s homework exercise. Taking a series of pictures of posters used to advertise anything from eau de cologne to a cruise on the Titanic, we were to produce either a poem or short story about one of the examples. Once again the imagination and application of writers and poets skills was very impressive with such a diverse interpretation of points of view. It proved very entertaining whilst it works too, to improve our writing ability through visualisation.
It seems too, that Maggie is on a roll! For this week’s homework she has set the following exercise:
Taking a number of well known proverbs, instead of completing the original per se, change the meaning to one of complete absurdity or an opposite view. For example:
It fits like a (glove)…Rastafarians’ bunnet.
As hot as (hell)…a leaky car radiator.
The exercise is to take one or two of the proverbs noted below and create a flash fiction story of 250 words.
It fits like a …
As hot as …
As cool as …
As brave as …
As bold as …
As busy as …
As cheap as …
As smart as …
Go on. Have a go!
21st January 2020
Our meeting on 21st January was well attended and having opened with a five-minute written summary of something that happened during the course of the day, we briefly touched again, on our proposed submissions for the Bridport Prize. Neil has already circulated the start of his novel, which covers entry requirements and your feedback, with honest critique, would be appreciated. Please be good enough to send this direct to Neil at [email protected] Thank you. I have attached my own proposed submission Issoufou, for the flash fiction category (up to 250 words) and I too, would appreciate your honest critique. You can e-mail this direct to me at [email protected] Thanks again.
The meeting continued with one of Jonathan’s fascinating word exercises, where we each made up three words, words that don’t exist, for others to put into a sentence/paragraph whereby they fitted in. This was enjoyable good humour and produced at least one expression, which we will no doubt ear of again in ‘wobble cement’ Thanks Mandy. We then went on to a further exercise produced by Maggie and which looked at the use of pictures and words used in posters promoting everything from Pears’ Soap to the White Star Line’s new ship, the Titanic! It was agreed, as an exercise between that night and the meeting of 4th February, we will choose one of the sample posters and do a piece of writing between 500 – 1000 words and describe our take on the specific wording and illustration.
Just a brief note too. Jonathan has reduced significantly, the size of his tea box, but don’t let that deter you. BYOM (bring your own mug) prevails. A few nice cakes or biscuits will always be welcome too.
Our meeting on 21st January was well attended and having opened with a five-minute written summary of something that happened during the course of the day, we briefly touched again, on our proposed submissions for the Bridport Prize. Neil has already circulated the start of his novel, which covers entry requirements and your feedback, with honest critique, would be appreciated. Please be good enough to send this direct to Neil at [email protected] Thank you. I have attached my own proposed submission Issoufou, for the flash fiction category (up to 250 words) and I too, would appreciate your honest critique. You can e-mail this direct to me at [email protected] Thanks again.
The meeting continued with one of Jonathan’s fascinating word exercises, where we each made up three words, words that don’t exist, for others to put into a sentence/paragraph whereby they fitted in. This was enjoyable good humour and produced at least one expression, which we will no doubt ear of again in ‘wobble cement’ Thanks Mandy. We then went on to a further exercise produced by Maggie and which looked at the use of pictures and words used in posters promoting everything from Pears’ Soap to the White Star Line’s new ship, the Titanic! It was agreed, as an exercise between that night and the meeting of 4th February, we will choose one of the sample posters and do a piece of writing between 500 – 1000 words and describe our take on the specific wording and illustration.
Just a brief note too. Jonathan has reduced significantly, the size of his tea box, but don’t let that deter you. BYOM (bring your own mug) prevails. A few nice cakes or biscuits will always be welcome too.
7th January 2020
Our first meeting for 2020 was held on Tuesday 7th January, when we were delighted to welcome back Maggie and also a new face in Rose, of the U3A. We had a really interesting evening and discussed a number of key issues, not least of all our ongoing interest in the forthcoming Bridport Prize Competition 2020. Neil and Stephen confirmed they will be submitting entries in the Novel and Flash fiction sections respectfully and it remains open, of course, for other group members to confirm their own interests.
A very important Group decision was reached last Tuesday. For long enough Jonathan has taken it upon himself to bring along ‘The Michty Tea Box!’ Struggling with the weight of 47 mugs, various plates, tea, coffee, sugar, powdered milk and…assorted goodies. Spare a thought for this kindly act, but also for Jonathan himself. No longer in the flush of youth and facing increasing demands from a tyrannical employer, it is not every Tuesday Jonathan is able to join us and on those occasions other members suffer tea and coffee withdrawal symptoms and risk biscuit and cake deprivation which can initiate devastating side effects. With immediate effect it will fall upon the individual to bring along his/her own mug, tea/coffee bag, milk and sugar. We’ll take turns about to bring in other goodies. The library provides boiling water, so job done.
A second decision was reached last Tuesday and, inspired by Rose, future meetings will start with a ‘5-minute warm up’ when we will each do a written summary of a true event that has happened that day. We tried it last Tuesday and found it a resounding success. You just tell it as it is!
Our first meeting for 2020 was held on Tuesday 7th January, when we were delighted to welcome back Maggie and also a new face in Rose, of the U3A. We had a really interesting evening and discussed a number of key issues, not least of all our ongoing interest in the forthcoming Bridport Prize Competition 2020. Neil and Stephen confirmed they will be submitting entries in the Novel and Flash fiction sections respectfully and it remains open, of course, for other group members to confirm their own interests.
A very important Group decision was reached last Tuesday. For long enough Jonathan has taken it upon himself to bring along ‘The Michty Tea Box!’ Struggling with the weight of 47 mugs, various plates, tea, coffee, sugar, powdered milk and…assorted goodies. Spare a thought for this kindly act, but also for Jonathan himself. No longer in the flush of youth and facing increasing demands from a tyrannical employer, it is not every Tuesday Jonathan is able to join us and on those occasions other members suffer tea and coffee withdrawal symptoms and risk biscuit and cake deprivation which can initiate devastating side effects. With immediate effect it will fall upon the individual to bring along his/her own mug, tea/coffee bag, milk and sugar. We’ll take turns about to bring in other goodies. The library provides boiling water, so job done.
A second decision was reached last Tuesday and, inspired by Rose, future meetings will start with a ‘5-minute warm up’ when we will each do a written summary of a true event that has happened that day. We tried it last Tuesday and found it a resounding success. You just tell it as it is!
Archive
10 September 2019
On Tuesday 10th September we are met in The Crown Inn, Biggar, to mark James Christie's departure for pastures new. James is a long standing member and author of two excellent published works: The Legend of John Macnab and Dear Miss Landau. He will be sorely missed.
We imbibed a few and hailed the good man's health and future fortune, and we probably talked a load of old codswallop. But a jolly time was had by all. Thanks to all who attended to see off James.
29th January 2019
Theme: General group meeting and bring your own work for discussion
This more general meeting featured a lengthy discussion around plans for attracting new members. Also discussed was the development and publication of a program of activities for 2019, for both the evening exercises and potentially workshops. Anne presented a piece she herself described as a "rant" that was well received, with suggestions made on possible publication routes. Bill also produced an early draft of a slightly surreal short story that generated much debate and feedback.
On Tuesday 10th September we are met in The Crown Inn, Biggar, to mark James Christie's departure for pastures new. James is a long standing member and author of two excellent published works: The Legend of John Macnab and Dear Miss Landau. He will be sorely missed.
We imbibed a few and hailed the good man's health and future fortune, and we probably talked a load of old codswallop. But a jolly time was had by all. Thanks to all who attended to see off James.
29th January 2019
Theme: General group meeting and bring your own work for discussion
This more general meeting featured a lengthy discussion around plans for attracting new members. Also discussed was the development and publication of a program of activities for 2019, for both the evening exercises and potentially workshops. Anne presented a piece she herself described as a "rant" that was well received, with suggestions made on possible publication routes. Bill also produced an early draft of a slightly surreal short story that generated much debate and feedback.