BLOG FOR WRITERS GROUP

JUNE 15TH 2011-06-15

ATTENDING.

Melissa. Mandy, Robyn,Wendy, Terry, David Cargill, David Rudder. Geoff Bolton. Di Hamer. Rochelle Mills. Leonne Worthy; new member Rochelle Mills.

More men than ladies for once well for ten minutes.

 News Items.

Mandy still has her sore yaw and feeling down over friends so ill, life goes on. On a happier note she has published three books on smashwords now.

Geoff going to Eisteddfods and enjoying watching the talented participants.

Wendy nothing this week.

Mellisa her 14yr old cousin is visiting and singing her songs She might be moving to Wagga in January. We are not amused with news.

Robyn. Went to visit friends and all her grandchildren, enjoyed it all despite the weather.

Terry. His grandson had a hair cut and was excited to give his curls to his grandfather who has a serious hair loss. AAhh!

David C. Went to see his grandson and went bowling with him and his new knees. He scored over 100 so felt he did well, well done knees..

David Rudder. Took his hip to the medical centre and had a steroid injection in it and it is helping the pain.

Di. Did water aerobics and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rochelle our new member. Welcome to the Mad House and we hope you will come back again. Rochelle wants to learn to write and cares for her father. Married with two kids. Loves writing about her own life and thoughts.

Leonie. Home loan approved and the builder will start her new home. How exciting.

Word of the Day.

David C. Nuance a graduate between colours or a subtle difference in a person meanings.

Terry. brusque. Abrupt in manner. Scotch. To make harmless. To scotch a rumour.

Melissa. Kibosh. same as scotch but  needed looking up. We found it is to dispose of something. To put an end to something.

Geoff. Scratch. has many meanings Not up to scratch or to scratch and has a sporting meaning to take off. Mark or cut.

Claque. people put in an audience to cheer and make comments..

Mandy. Sublimate to divert energy an emotion or impulse arising from primitive instinct.

Wendy. Refudiate. A word made up by a politician a malapropism of Repudiate. The politician Sara Palin used it to deny  something.

Di. Racketeer A crime to be carried out without attracting attention. These people were known as Racketeers.

David R. Provocative. Adj. to cause annoyance or anger deliberately. Provocative pose can be sexual.

Homework.

Wendy. Poem  Under the Bed. A really funny poem.

Mandy read part of a novel. Lost then Found.

Melissa. Hidding under my bed. A boys prospective of what's under his bed. You would not believe what was there!

Terry. Jims Dilemma. A really funny poem that had us in fits. Terry should send this off we all said.

David C. Poetic Licence. Another funny poem.

David R. Unpleasant secrets. A very sexy tale and so funny. We are concerned for him he seems to have sex on the brain today.

Di. Dear Diary. Short story. Another sexy tale.

Readings.

David C read another chapter from his current Novel, still to be named. We are very interested in the detective he also got into bed with someone this time. These Men!

Geoff Bolton. Read another chapter from his novel. Showa 46.This has a Japanese theme and is very interesting.

Exercise We did the opposites of words. Such as female and male animals  and other opposites. Wendy was so quick with her responses. For a 4'11" she is packed with information and was the champion by a mile.

Quick write. It was time for a change. Some poems and short pieces. Well done and entertaining

We discussed putting some of these wonderful poems onto a disc and Mandy would like to go into talking books. This could be a new venture but we might need some software to do it. Terry will price some and see what is the best deal as he is good at this. We have some money in the kitty.

Mandy printed out some of the groups Anthology at $5 a book to cover the ink. Any one wanting one please contact her and order one.

For new writers who want instruction about writing and getting stuff ready to publish we do have books and information you can borrow. If you feel daunted at the thought one of the group will mentor you and give you any help you need. We are a wonderful group and very modest with it.

Homework. Stolen Ring. Fear of Spiders. A Sinister Stranger. Use all three or some of them, do a poem, short story or long one. What ever you do just write and enjoy it.

  

BAY AND BASIN BLOG.

BAY AND BASIN BLOG.

8TH JUNE 11

ATTENDING

David Rudder. David Cargill. Terry Mac.Robyn Kellner, Eva Brown. Geoff Bolkton. Di Hamar. Wendy Williams. Mandy Byrne. Leonie Worthy. Cathy Rose.

Brags. The two Davids have bragged about their grandchildren and what a joy they are to have. (They are only young so still human) David. C is going to be a great grandfather even though he is too young he reckons.

Leonie is now a great Aunt and we commented on how fertile we are.

Terry bragged about getting more members for Wildlife Rescue South Coast. This is great for the group.

Robyn. Her Granddaughter used to be lovely but is now 18 and her letters are not quite so loving as what Dave's granddaughter sent him. The language was very colourful now she sends texts messages.

Eva Brown. Nearly finished her course assessment she has to do a 3,000 essay to complete so good luck. This is for her her Aged Care Diploma

Geoff had no brags this week.

Cath nearly had a accident with a forgetful driver turning around and going back right in front of her.

Di Hamar. Brought a book in that the poets might find useful called Phrase and Fables.She had time with her partner for a change as they have been very busy so it was nice to have time together.

Wendy Williams. Had a very quiet week

Mandy survivied being with her granddaughter for two weeks and completed teaching

Word of the day.

David R. Hocus Pocus relates to wizardry a juggler or a jugglers trick. Also the name of several bands.

David Cargill. Xanthus. means blonde flaxen, brown or red haired or of the fair haired type. Greek word for yellow. Also the name of Achilles horse.

Leonie. Abracadabra a magic word one you exclaim when doing magic tricks.

Terry. Edify To improve morally. An edifying experience. Comes from the word Edifice a building.

Robyn Lorgnette Opera glasses on a handle. or to squint.

Eva  Tractable. Easy to manage docile and amenable.

Geoff. Contumely. Scorn or abuse.

Cathy. Chicanery. Trickery  Clever or misleading thoughts. Also things that stop accidents in races.

Di. Phantasmagoria. A shifting meddly of dream like figures.

Wendy. Googleganger. When you google your name on the net.

Mandy. No word.

Geoff gave us information on Literary Competitions.

Homework. Theme about a lost love.

Dave Rudder Read us several Poems he wrote. Some about being a jilted woman.

David Cargill. Poem about an X girlfriend.

Leonie. The X a story about lost love, then found again.

Terry. Short Story Me and Lee. A very vocal short story.

Geoff. Told us about Mysteries that were not mysteries.

Cathy. Short Story The Voyage.

Di. An X boyfriend a pair of binoculars and a good luck Charm. Short Story about lost love.

Wendy Williams. Revenge. A poem. Don't mess with this lady when you ditch her.

Mandy. A true story about a young mother with triplets and a toddler.

David C. Gave us a chapter from his novel.

Leonie read us one of her poems.

Exercise. Double Trouble Each word has two meanings

Bat. Press. Pen. Ring. Fly. Plug. Club. Note. Band.

Homework. Aerobics Secret Diary Something unpleasant under the bed.

  .

Meetring lst June, 2011

 

Present: Leonie, Melissa, Wendy, David R.. terry, Robyn, Cath, Jo, Geoff, Di, Jessica

 

David R. presiding.

 

Brag/onfo:

 

Melissa talked about the difference in self-warming devices from country to country.

Geoff had a commendation for a poem he authored.

Terry advanced a marketing strategy for NANA. Now is WILDLIFE RESCUE SOUTH COAST INC..  Environment Day Lady Denman 4.6.11

Cath asked if anyone knew about the Sanctuary Point Mens' Shed.  Is it closing?  Many  replies.

Robyn spoke on her knowledge of the subject.

Diane has had her parents staying from Victoria- nice time had by all.

Jessica - made fruit scones first time - next time, Jess.  We all know about scone making, don't we,girls?

David R - made his decision about his forthcoming operation.  Finds water exercising very beneficial for hip pain.

 

Words:

 

Cathy: vapid - dull, insipid, vain.

Terry: egalitarian...believing everyone is equal

Diane: mnemonic - a verse or other aid for remembering.

Geoff: valance - curtain hanging, large frill.

            valence - chemical term, in journalism - the atmosphere of a place.

Jessica: dog's body - a person who is given menial tasks

Melissa: puckish - mischievous fairy, like so, from Shakespeare.

Leonie: dorter, dortour - dormitory, room, bedroom, in a monastery.

Wendy: cognate - relate or connected by blood - or knowledge of something

David R: assuage - make an unpleasant feeling bearable, relieve.

 

 

After the Words were completed, David spoke about  the subject of contributions to weekly writing exercises, all to do a few in advance, put them in the appropriate box in order to choose one each meeting, better also to consolidate club activities, i.e. smooth flow.  All who joined in conversation added to the view that material will be ready at any time for any occasion of club work.  Well received topic David, thanks, timely comments we all agreed.

 

Also look at Arts in Shoalhaven site re competitions - Geoff's suggestion.

Diane to email name of a competition to Terry - would Terry like to add to this with the name?

 

Homework:

 

Wendy: a poem inspired by Michael Buble. 'Daydreaming' - a would-be star and all the things one must do to be one.  Not all good things.

Leonie: 'Miss Potter' - literary character exercise - Beatrix Potter - a fine, incisive discourse.

Melissa: her lyrics - will present them to muso's when she finds the right persons.  Today she read 'The Man My Dog Seems To Think I Am'. suggestion from group seems to see it in Country music genre.

Jessica: 'Garden Patch' - Plant a tree, see it grow, give it mystical qualities and abstract colours - a tree in an abstract landscape in fact.  You fashion a garden ,then- it is a garden like no other.  The piece seemed to belong nowhere we can go, it was a constant shifting of ideas.  decadent (Jess's word).

Geoff: offensive in parts - Atlantic Monthly, about a neutered dog - contributors offer irrational advice.

Jo: wrote about prehistoric woman - 'Before the Last Dawn'.

Terry: poetry - 'Tears' - lovely imagery, superb actually - tears falling rhythmically in unison as lines were read out.  One of your best poems, I would say.

David R: 'No Homework' - treatise on having no help in trying to find subject for homework.

 

Exercise:  'What if... '

 

Wendy: a poem 'What If'.

Leonie: in depth - encompassing

Melissa: Imagination gone mad.

Jessica rhyme - ended up asking if she went out of her head would she be dead?

Geoff: personal 'iffing' - who might he have been.

Diane: sensible  'if's'

Jo: situational 'if's'

Terry: has his mind in the upper layer

Cathy: community improvements to the fore.

Robyn: answered her own questions.

David R: a poem itemising how good he could become if his dreams came true.

 

Quik rite: 'Dog's Body'

 

Very quik, all good, all different.  Poems included as usual and refreshing too.

 

Homework: An ex-boyfriend, a pair of binoculars, a good luck charm. All together make ..... what?  Write the story.

 

Wenesday 25th May, 2011

 

Present: Terry, Eva, Leonie, David R, David C, Cathy, Jo, Wendy, Jessica.

 

Brag: Jo talked about Dinosaur Museum, Canberra, showed Mosasaur jaw fossil.  Cath showed her book about Canada Bay and its history, an unusual and very interesting work.  Leonie went to NSW Police Band concert at the Entertainment Centre.  Eva commented on the barbershop quartet on 'Australia's Got Talent' which excited talk on other bands, she was pleased to be doing her last forthcoming exam for Senior Health course also.  David C: resuming his novel, was also impressed by his friend's expertise in fixing his(David's) notebook problem.  Wendy and her husband bought Snuggies.  She said they are marvellous.  Terry had a conversation with his grandchild about  one of those subjects we always encounter when minding children.  David R, listening to National Radio - word difficulty for newchums - would have had its humour I think.  His daughters are very good ocean swimmers.  And David C's daughters are excellent road runners.  Very clever girls.  Jessica got herself a casual job which pleases her immensely.

 

Words:

 

Cath: aggrandisement: to make greater in power

Eva: immure: to enclose or imprison within walls.

Jessica: languid: disinclination to be energetic

               floccinaucinihilipilification: the habit of estimating something worthless.

David C: grudge: envy or discontent.

                begrudge: a reluctance to give.

Wendy: vagary: a whim.

              vainglory: empty pride.

Terry: acolyte: a follower in church custom or usage, a priest's helper (e.g. altar boy).

           verbivore [sic]: a user of uncommon words.

David R: stultify: to cause or lose initiative, hamper or impede routine for someone.

 

Homework was read out, it was founded on the donation of several books with clever, or not, titles, the task being to incorporate the various titles in a work.

 

David R, David D, both wrote long poems re this.

Wendy, 'The Crimson Palace', a cheeky, mmm ... raunchy poem, appreciated by all.

Terry wrote a story about mirror-image reality.  Convoluted thoughts, could be a good play.

David R read out poetry again about September people, good image David, and another poem called 'Ribbons of Life' very good poems altogether.  Best efforts.  Put them in a competition, David.

David C.read out a bit more of 'Charlie', his novel on the go, which we are familiar with - must finish it David, an excellent effort so far.  All agree.

 

Afternoon Workout

 

Terry presented a round-table quiz, no prizes were given.     Bah! Humbug!

Another test - a quick rite - identify with a literary character - who you are- would you want to be this character?

 

Cathy:        Hercule Poirot

David C:    Popeye the Sailor Man

David R:    Lolita ?

Terry:         Clark Kent (questions where do the changes of clothes come from?)

Wendy:      Eve (w/out Adam)

Jo:              The Queen (Alice)

Jessica:     Precious Ramotze

Eva:            Japanese anime

 

All good stuff Gang!

 

Homework for next week:  Write whatever you like!

BLOG FOR BAY AND BASIN WRITERS

18TH MAY 2011

ATTENDING: David Rudder. David Cargill, Jo Ball. Malissa Ehrhardt. Terry Mac. Leonie Worthy. Di Hamer. Cath Rose. Wendy Williams. Mandy Byrne. Geoff Bolton.

News from the table. Terry explained what the word Gruin meant. It is selling by advertizing.

Leonie Bragged about writing an entry for the Shoalhaven Contest.

Cath was told by email she had 2000000dollars which was a scam.

Wendy went to Camberra and complained about the cold there.

Mandy.Published on line and did the groups anthology and has taken orders for 6 of them.

David is still acting as father confessor to a chap he met down at the pool and kept us in stitches with the tales he is told, all in confidence of course.

David Cargill has concerns about his brother who has cancer, good he can share with us his worries.

Jo went to see the dinosaur museum in Camberra and really enjoyed.

Melissa is doing very well with her song writing and came in the runners up.

Word of the Day.

Terry.Carwhitchet this is a hoaxing question a piece of Jabberwocky that does sound very unusual. A bit like a Dickons word

Terry.Misanthropist  Distrust of human beings.

Terry.Clique used to be used by french printers for stereotype.

Leonie.Carrion. Carcass of a dead animal.

Geoff.Cohort. a collection of objects or people who have something in common.

Di. Peregrinate. To wander or travel from place to place.

Cath.Esoteric You can't understand what a person is talking about such as secrets passed along in code.

Wendy. Skullduggery To practice deception or jiggery pokery..

 Mandy  Too many words to talk about. Logorrhea and excess of words.

David R. Proclivity a tendency to choose or do something regularly. Inclination or fondness to lean towards.

David C. Pique. A fit of pique stirred up or provoked your interest in something.

Also a stiff ribbed cotton fabric.

Homework. A rejection letter written to a famous person that later became a best seller.

 Terry wrote his to Tolkien  about Lord of the Rings.

Leonie. Read a story Mrs. White. Very discriptive.

Di Wrote about Jane Austin. Pride and Prejudice   Would be authentic if sent in the 18th Century but seemed funny to us now.

Cath. Her letter was to Margaret Mitchell for Gone with the Wind.

Wendy. Letter to Pam Ayers about her poetry.

Mandy. Letter to Cathrine Cookson. The publisher grove ling for his mistake.

David he wrote to Agatha Christie. He rejected her book and decimated her characters. and plot. He also wrote one to Mandy Byrne about her book Sing a Song of Tuppence. Very funny and we all enjoyed it.

David Cargill.  El Bib. To who ever wrote the bible stories. They sound too improbable to be published. by Pontus Pilot.

Jo didn't do a story. She did a review on Ray Martin's book instead.

 Competitions. Shoalhaven Literary awards close on the 27th May.

Exercise for the Day. Carwhitches.

Nonsensical writing to see who can do it best. We all made the cake so it didn't need cooking.

Quick Write. Write about your first pet.

Homework We took a load of books and using their title we had to write a story using the titles. The iron Snakes. The crimson Palace. Pearls. Winter Song. Scenes from the Sex War. Homeland. Houses without doors. Haunted Tree.

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Meeting 11th May '11

 Attending

 David Rudder

David Cargill

Terry Mac

Robyn Kellner

Cath Rose

Di Hamer

Wendy Williams

Mandy Byrne

Jessica Nelson

The News of the Day from everyone.

Robyn read a lovely poem to mother in laws

Di on her second visit to us said she looked forward to coming and has been settling in to her new home.

Mandy Had a lovely mothers day and enjoyed having her daughter and son in law and they did all the garden big jobs for her. She also learnt how to publish on Smashbooks.

Jessica a new member told us a little about herself. She has had one story published in an anthology and done a degree in professional writing. She has just got married.and is writing a novel which she wants to get published. She Likes to write Fantasy and children’s stories.

Dave G had a nice fathers Day on Mothers Day??? The mind boggles.

Word of the Day.

Terry.  Tryst...an appointment to meet at a specified time or place. Scottish word.

Robin   Melancholy...Depression or sadness a whole range of emotions make a person unhappy or melancholy.

Cath.  Truculent...Defiant and aggressive.

Di.    Tenebrous...Dark and shadowy.

Jessica  Namby Pamby...wishy washy sort of person.

             Myrmidon.  A henchmen. Someone who is an off sider to a crook.

Wendy    Factoid....Something written in a paper and people think it is true but it might not be.

Mandy    Mezuzah...The Jewish icon on a doorframe.

David R...Halcyon...Relating to days in the past that were just perfect. Also can be related to a kingfisher     

              as part of its Latin name..

             Goth.  A member of the Germanic people in the past.

            Hump. Is a rounded protuberance on a camel and it can mean sexual intercourse.

David C.  Sagacious....Someone who is very astute and knows what they are doing. Also a battle axe.

Homework. Using the exercise last week and the development of a character and put it into a story or a poem.

Terry.  Rosie. A poem about love very good we all enjoyed it.

Robyn. Short Story. The priest and the Goth. A great Story really good Robyn, we all liked it.

Cathy.  Didn’t write this week.

Di. What did the Priest say. Short story. Well done.Obviously our new member is keeping up our high standards. Hhmm!

Wendy.  Ted and Brandy A short poem. Funny poem. well done.Love your Pam Ayres type of poetry.

Mandy. Devils and Halo’s A funny short story about a lady serving in an Op shop her thoughts and speech with customers.

David Rudder. Father Cyril’s Brandy. A funny poem. Very funny. Loved it.

David C. A poem Mortal Sins. A racy poem about a priest and a pole dancer. Well up to David’s bawdy style.

Exercise by Terry Mac. Adjective and Nouns.written into nonsense. We all did so many different versions using the adjective and Nouns off the paper, very funny. Good fun thanks Terry.

Quick Write. Using the words of the Day we had to write a short piece. We all had a different story.

Homework. Write a reject letter to an author that later turns into a best seller

We have welcomed a few new members lately which is great and we hope they enjoy our mad cap type of meeting. We don’t take ourselves too seriously but we do have a lot of fun and encourage each other if people are serious in wanting to write and if you just enjoy the meetings and company that is okay too.   

Record of meeting 4 May 2011

Present: Jo, Terry, Eva, Geoff, Helene, Wendy, Mandy, David R, Cath, Leonie, Robyn and welcome to Di.


News: Mandy has been using smash.words.com to publish a story Sing a song of tuppence. David R – found the word noodling when doing the crossword sifting for opals – and read a poem he wrote on the topic. Jo – read the scrip from Frankenstein and noticed that news readers smile and talk at the same time. Terry bough a book titled A thousand ridiculous ways to die. Cath can write with one hand and draw a circle with the other. Leonie had a difficult two weeks with her partner sick. Eva has been working and doing assessments and her daughters are illustrating her stories. Geoff has re started his exercise class. Helene is listening to Edward de Bono’s “How to have a beautiful mind”. Wendy went to apple day at Tallong on Sunday. Robyn – Joe is still breathing and had his veins checked today.


Word of the day
Cath – impressment – to seize property for public use. Leonie – sinistral – left handed. Geoff- orotund – lavish or elaborate. Helene – risible causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous. Wendy – perfidious – two faced. Mandy – patience. David R – doppelganger – double goer. Terry – dingo stayed at home. Rickets – cricket stumps used in China. Profligate – shamelessly bad.


Homework reading
Jo – an orange passes through five hands. Terry – Banjos curse to a prostitute pimp and criminal. Cath – Tarj Mahal the story of a bookmaker, thieves and $20K worth of $10 bills. Mandy – my life as 0010 a lonely $10 note in a shoe, a pocket, exchanging stories, in a purse, in a till, laundered, on a church plate, stolen money. Leonie – a perfect stranger the café owner with generosity and charisma. Eva money on the go - hears the ping of the cash drawer. Geoff – $10 from Sussex Inlet to Nowra – family meal then petrol. Helene – an old man, the butcher, the florist, the police all happy over $10. Wendy – Sam a mana pause or gay man with nipple rings and a Harley Davidson. David R – five by ten a poem. Robyn – in a dingy handbag with greasy fingers on my back.


Exercise develop two characters
Male character – Father Cyril
Actions – picks his nose in public, collects stray animals, rides a vespa, cooks Italian food, is a gambler, likes a tipple
Things they might say – hello sailor, peace be with, in my day, buggar off, just one more thing, now don’t take this the wrong way, I’ve never tried this before
Appearance early 70s, full generous mouth, shaved head, large hairy ears, tattoo the word girlie on the back of his left hand, nose stud, wise eyes, blue rheumy eyes, trickling nose, stained false teeth
Feelings – short fuse, quick temper, empathetic, has nightmares, kind hearted, enjoys music especially organ music, loves animals, worried about his future, dry sense of humour, jocular.


Female character - Brandy
Appearance – 35 years old, changes her hair and eye colour regularly, 5 ft 7 inches, 3 children, is a Goth, pleasantly plump, tattoo on her hip,
Actions – pole dancer and gym junkie, computer wiz, aqua aerobics, plays violin, works at school canteen, painter, single parent
Things she might say – OMG, Hello I’m Randy, Keep away from that, I’m not going there, Fine, Absolutely, LOL.
Feelings – Pissed off, depressed, disturbed, happy, protective, mysterious, worried for the future, tired.

Homework due 11 May 2011 - Write a story or poem based on the above described characters, in a conflict situation revealing their traits through action, events, words and feelings.