2008 schedule
Tuesday 1st July
7.30 - 10.00pm (email me for venue or more information).
The task for this meeting is to write an anthropomorphic story of no more than 1000 words. Anthropomorphism is described (by Wikipaedia) as:
"the attribution of uniquely human characteristics to non-human creatures and beings, natural and supernatural phenomena, material states and objects or abstract concepts. Subjects for anthropomorphism commonly include animals depicted as creatures with human motivation able to reason and converse, forces of nature such as winds or the sun, components in games, unseen or unknown sources of chance, etc. Almost anything can be subject to anthropomorphism."
Previous meetings
Tuesday 17th June
Task: to write a short piece of fiction, or extract from a longer piece, maximum 750 words, with the theme/title Secrets.
Tuesday 3rd June
A short task, to write a piece up to 300 words, on "the thing that drives you crazy".
Tuesday 20th May
The task for the meeting is to write a short piece of fiction, of no more than 1000 words, with the opening sentence...
It was a Thursday morning when the box arrived, and her world changed for ever.
Tuesday 6th May
The task for the meeting was to do a couple of exercises on a narrative technique called Free Indirect Style. Here is a link to a PDF sheet with the exercises on it, together with an outline of the technique.
Tuesday 22nd April
A meeting devoted to poetry, the task to bring along a self-penned poem on any subject; humorous, surreal or serious.
Tuesday 8th April
Task: A short Radio Play or Dialogue, on any subject, to be read at the meeting.
Tuesday 25th March
Tuesday 11th March
Tuesday 26th February
Task: A short piece with title or theme 'Transitions'.
Tuesday 12th February
Theme/Task: A discussion on how to build a fictional 'character', and how to make he/she/it live, in order to engage the reader.
Tuesday 29th January
Theme: A Letter as a "Voice from the Past", max. 1200 words. Any subject.
This is one of the categories for the National Association of Writers' Groups Competition 2008. As members of NAWG we are entitled to free entry. There are no cash prizes, but the prestige of winning an 'elegant engraved glass trophy' is surely enough incentive.
Tuesday 15th January 2008
Tuesday 18th December 2007
Our Christmas get-together, with wine, food, and good company - what better way to sign out 2007!
Tuesday 4th December
Theme: Guilt : a piece of fiction/story/poem. 500-750 words maximum please.
Tuesday 20th November
Tuesday 6th November
Sparks were flying (geddit?) as we met in the aftermath of Bonfire Night to gather news and read our efforts on the theme of Tension, issued at the previous meeting. The pieces read and comments passed were as constructive and illuminating as always.
Alison was also there to tell us about her recent book deal for the crime novel Cambridge Blue. Congratulations to Alison, who is an inspiration to those of us who are struggling with the twin demands of writing a novel and trying to get it published.
A couple of links mentioned at the meeting are here:
Menagerie Theatre
Dagger Awards (Crime)
Tuesday 23rd October
Task: A short story or poem with the theme/title 'My God'.
Tuesday 9th October
Our first meeting at the pub. There were nine of us, including a couple of new/interested members, Nina and Graham. We bought some drinks and settled round the table. It is a 'cosy' venue, lacking the space of the Chalice, but we were soon into our stride, and there was the usual lively discussion and diverse readings. Julian has set us an unusual theme for next time - which should ensure an interesting evening...
Tuesday 25th September
Theme: Either:
a) A poem on any subject, or
b) A short Ghost Story. There is a competition with this theme, guidelines for that include the hint that the ghost(s) "should have a purpose", and that it/they are "not usually benign". The limit for the competition is 2000 words, but bear in mind there is usually a 10-12 minute time limit for individual readings at meetings, so there may only be time for part of a longer story to be read.
This was to be the last meeting at the restaurant which has been our 'home' for the past three years. It has been a fantastic venue, with the right blend of atmosphere and size, not to mention the facilities which have allowed us to provide refreshments for meetings, and various special events that have informed and inspired us.
Thanks to Ruth for allowing us to use her business for our recreation, and also to Claire, for turning up with the keys every Tuesday week, as well as doing the lion's share of cleaning up!
However, all good things etc...., and we are lucky enough to have been offered a room in a pub near the restaurant for future meetings. We will start there next time, and see if it suits us. It is not our only option for future meetings (thanks to the generosity of David and Tony), but wherever we end up, I am sure the group will continue to grow and flourish, not least because of the enthusiasm and initiative of its members.
Tuesday 11th September
There was a choice of task for this meeting:
One of the secrets to good writing is the ability to rework a piece, to revisit our initial inspiration and try to see what is really there, then to hack away the irrelevant, polish the text and let the intent shine through. For the next meeting, you are invited to bring such a piece, or;
to write a story (of no more than 1600 words) with the theme 'Park Bench'.
Tuesday 28th August
The task was to write a (short) monologue, on any subject.
Tuesday 14th August
The task was to write about 600 words with the theme "Confessions of a Tourist".
Tuesday 31st July
Lots of dark stuff last week, so our task for this meeting is to write a short story or poem with a humorous slant or theme.
Tuesday 17th July
Theme: A short story based on the phrase:
"Do not open this door, or you might fall into the cellar."
Tuesday 3rd July
Theme: A short story based on an anonymous letter.
maximum 1700 words
Tuesday 19th June:
A small meeting by recent standards; eight of us on a stormy night in Bury. Our theme was to write the story behind a Beatles song. There were creditable attempts, but it was a difficult subject. Both myself and David chose Nowhere Man. Pat wrote 386 words, squeezing as many titles of Beatles songs as possible into such a small 'vessel', while still maintaining a story-line. Tony rewrote 'Help' from a chameleon's point of view!
As usual we enjoyed lively chat and critical discussions about the readings. I was Chair and ran overtime (as usual). As the rain fell, I left with that usual warm feeling, for without these regular meetings and the input of my friends in the group, my writing life would be emptier and probably a lot less focused. It is likely that we will soon have to find a new venue, but I feel it is a step forward and an opportunity to cement Write Now! in the local landscape. We have plans for an 'open' event to coincide with the Bury (Fringe) Festival next year, and with our biennial story competition scheduled for the end of 2008, the future of the group is rosy.
Tuesday 5th June
Tuesday 22nd May
A double theme for tonight. First part is 'what makes you want to write?' Second part is to research advice or inspiration from a well-known writer of your choice, to help other aspiring writers.
Tuesday 8th May
Prize Presentation for the 'Suffolk' Short Story Competition.
7.30pm at Waterstones Bookshop, Bury St Edmunds.
We had a great evening! I will post a full report with pictures soon. The competition has been deemed a success and we hope to run it again next year (2008). Thanks again to all who came, helped on the night and helped throughout the duration.
George,
Competition Secretary
*********************
Tuesday 24th April
The theme was to write a Modern Day 'Fairy Tale' or story of up to 800 words
Tuesday 10th April
A talk by renowned author Sally Worboyes on her successful career as playwright and novelist and 'the ups and downs of being a writer'.
tuesday 27th March
theme: a short dialogue or one act play to be read out by other members.
tuesday 16th january
up to 1000 words with the theme 'on the edge'
tuesday 5th December 2006
a short piece of characterization (up to 500 words) beginning with the phrase,
'the last time I saw my Mother was fifteen years ago.'
tuesday 21st November 2006
a piece of 'flash fiction', essentially a short-short story of 500-750 words, any genre, including children's, for the biscuit publishing competition.
7th November - something we are currently working on
24th October - To tie in with a competition being run by the nick jr TV channel, a children's short story, in 500 words or less, as described on their website
october 10th - up to 500 words on any theme, in the style of an author of your choice, the the idea is to look at the work of a favourite, or simply famous, writer and analyse their style, to see how they get the effect they do. We have kept it to below 500 words as it will be useful for members to read an extract of the original author, in order to determine if our efforts have been successful!
september 25th - an exercise to show that the difference between showing and telling is understood: write a short piece of fiction twice - once in the style of telling, another showing the action, in order to compare the difference between the two styles, and their effect on the reader.
september 12th - a story or piece of non-fiction with the title: a fine addiction
august 29th - a poem with the theme Suffolk