Writing competitions August to November 2013

30 August | Boroondara Literary Awards (VIC)

31 August | Scarlett Stiletto awards

6 September| Marjorie Graber-McInnis Short Story Award (ACT)

1 November | Margaret River Short Story Competition (WA)

15 November | EJ BRADY Mallacoota Prize - Short Story competition (VIC) 30 November | Blackened Billy Verse Competition

For details & links see News & Events column, Arts in Shoalhaven

(http://www.arts.shoalhaven.net.au/NewsEvents.html)

　

Record of meeting 28 August 2013

Present

Melissa, Robyn, Cath, Geoff, David C, David R, Helene, Wendy, Jenny, Trevor, Margaret, Terry, Jo, Elizabeth

 

News

Trevor spent 3 days in Sydney and enjoyed a baked dinner cooked by his daughter, Margaret went to the film festival, Terry had a quiet week and had some new thoughts about his novel, Jo hasn’t had her computer for a few weeks so has been thinking about her book and demonstrated her technique to fix the computer (it didn’t work), Melissa reflected on writing 100 words and its effect on her song writing, Robyn is settling in to her new house and has built new cupboards, Elizabeth enjoyed watching men cutting down a huge tree, Cath went to a 1 st birthday party,  Geoff had a quiet week, David C went to Kangaroo Valley Celtic festival, David R raved about his dentist, Helene saw Red Obsession, Wendy went for a picnic at Swan Lake, Jenny also went to Red Obsession and the Nicole Kidman film.

 

Words of the day

Quotidian – every day usual

Metaphoric – symbolic

Boor – rustic, rude

Convivial – sociable, happy

Nadir – the worst moment

Bliss – enjoyment, pleasure

Pithy – crisp, concise to the point

Nuance – a subtle chance

Vulgar – lacking refinement

Ilk – a type of

Eclectic – selecting from various styles

Retinue (n) – a body of aides & retainers attending an important person

Sanctimonious - hypocritical

 

Stories from words of the day

We created a great variety of stories many concerning our group including three men in a shoe, A meeting we had to have, The bliss of silence, Who let him join, Colourful language, Summer time, Not wanted in our group, The loving cup, more stories about our group including starve them out, the cult and a pain in the ass.

Homework

We read our homework including Brownie points, Double lives, Hello dad, The baby bonus, a sexy letter, The pop corn vendor and the cat, The map, The triple knot, the kitchen knife, a woman who pleases all men, A Ferris wheel of questions, Dates to remember, The adoptee and Kevin no longer works here.

 

Information

We again discussed numbers for the group and decided we would reconsider the issue if numbers go beyond 14.

Geoff recommended the Concert the stars of the eisteddfod in the Entertainment Centre in Nowra, this weekend.

Geoff also recommended the current Photo exhibition at Lady Denman which closes soon

Terry is waiting for more information and will report back on options on training next week.

Robyn has ordered “Write your own novel professional edition” for the group. We will know more when it arrives.

 

Reading

Geoff recommends reading

George Megalogenis - The Australian Moment – an overview of Australia since 1945 and Susan Holoubek - Trace of Absence

David R read out his poems Gloss and Blind Corners about decorating and life. We all love a good gloss.

 

Quick write

We each selected words and completed a 10 minute write and came up with stories about Boorish, Zero, The headless man, Welcome to heaven, Greed, the vase and flowers in the garden, Sunday, understanding small, bones, nothing on his mind, $50 off and treatment.

We also wrote a sentence including the word treatments and listed as many words as we could from the word. Some good scores I think Wendy or Jo topped the score with 15 words.

Homework

Write a short play in language suitable for girls and boys of primary school age based on the parable which will be emailed to you. If you don’t get the parable choose your own parable. The aim is for children to role play using their language to help them remember the parable. Cool.

 

Record of meeting 21 August 2013

Present

Trevor, Lynn, Elizabeth, Cath, Leonie, Robyn, David C, Geoff, Terry, Melissa, Margaret, Helene, Wendy, Jenny

News

David C is learning the guitar and will play at Angels on Saturday (not the guitar another instrument). Terry rose to the challenge and played his clarinet with the Nowra concert band. Melissa spent 3 hours weeding and philosophising, Margaret bought a smaller electric bike, Helene has exercises for her Bakers cyst, Wendy has a blockage in an artery which can be fixed. Jenny went to party with lots of food. Trevor had quiet weeks at home because of a strained back. Lynn has been gardening and thinking of her sociopathic tendencies. Cath has been trying to burn out a stump. Leonie had a fantastic trip to Melbourne and saw a concert, a Monet exhibition and had a lovely visit with her family. Robyn’s husband had a good report from the heart specialist.

Words of the day

Insouciant – nonchalant

Firkin – a cask (1/2 kilderkin) about 9 gallons used for beer

Dank – damp

Sociopath – allergic to people

Procrustean – conforming by harsh means

Trepidation – alarm, agitation, trembling

Paean – song of praise

Callow – a young person who displays little good judgement

Plenteous – plentiful

Apocalypse – a revelation

Motor cyclist

Toggery – clothes

Melodramatic – exaggerated or sentimental histrionics

Imbroglio – confusing and complicate situation

 

Stories from word of the day

We created a brilliant selection of stories including - We will find out soon – a great poem from Terry. The house next door. Our last supper.  Underground dweller. Ignore the man next door. The glories of youth. Modern music. Lost. Into the cellar. The crowd.  Purpose of attending the church. Another way.  Plenty of handshaking.  The future.

 

Reading of homework

We created great stories of 100 words covering the topics I disappeared for 10 hours, Worlds highest building, Caller, the shopping trip, a car trip – very good story from Lynn, She was late, Not important, Another day, The lemonade bottle, The photo, The wardrobe, Cancer, An Egyptian mermaid and David C read us 5 stories of 100 words each about rockets or something.

Discussion

Leonie raised the issue that if everyone attended we would have 21 people and would be difficult to manage the meeting.  After discussions it was decided to watch the numbers with the possibility we could break into two groups on the day if more than 14 people attended.

We also discussed professional development for the group. Terry will investigate.

David C reminded us that he has the group’s printer which is available for members who need it.

 

Exercise

Created three word sentences - Did progressive write - Some hilarious results - Repeated again -Two words.

 

Homework

Take Geoff’s story below and finish it with 100 to 500 words - try to reduce the words in your homework if possible.

 
"Diana was going through their wardrobes to make more space for newer purchases. The biggest job was her side, from which she removed anything unused for a year. Reluctantly - but it did make some space.

Kevin's side was a much smaller task. He'd persist with any garment till it wore out. Shuffling some hangers she saw his blue blazer. Moving it onto a newer hanger a small edge of paper caught her eye: an envelope, in the top pocket.

Curious, she took it out and soon opened it, sitting to read it.

It's contents stunned her."

Meeting of 14th August 2013

Attendance

Jo; Margaret; David C.; Geoff; Elizabeth; Lynn; Melissa; Cath; Terry; David R.; Wendy; Jenny

News:

Jo - windy conditions the past week at home, no losses

Margaret - nothing to report

David C - Completed City to Surf with his wife - well done!

Geoff - attended a piano day and a classical guitar performance

Elizabeth - hosted visitors

Lynn - nothing to report

Melissa - returned from her epic trip to America

Cath - bussed into Nowra and had her boots repaired

Terry - torn rotator cuff, impending surgery

David R. - nice walk to Greenfield's beach and a swim

Wendy - visited family in Canberra

Jenny - visited Queensland

*Helene was absent, looking after her son Toby - we all wish him the best for a speedy recovery!

Words of the day:

nugatory - worthless; in vain

penchant - liking; fondness

depone - to testify

platitude - remark or statement

languid - weak

dilettante - person who takes up an activity for amusement; lover of art

abstemious - moderate; not self-indulgent

axiom - a truth/fact

acculturate - to fit into another culture

pernicious - having the quality of hurting, injuring, or destroying

enmesh - tangle; trap

ethos - distinctive character or values 

Homework 

Topic: The Tree

Jo: a cautionary tale warning against feeding the natives

Jenny: an observance of the vast varieties of trees

Wendy: a poem about a nosey neighbour

David R.: Here I Stand, a poem from the perspective of a tree

Terry: a poem about a Boab tree that is a survivor

Gary: a reflection of a tree in his yard that he now sees differently

Cath: reflections on the poem turned lyric "Strange Fruit"

Melissa: a prayer thanking God for creating trees

Additional readings:

Geoff: a chapter from his novel in progress: Showa 46

David R.: two poems, Penchant, and Starlight

Margaret: a story about volunteering in Thailand

Great work everyone and thanks for sharing!

Exercise:

Everyone selected an image or word from an envelope and wrote what inspired them. The result was a medley of poetry and short stories. 

Homework for next week:

Write a 100 word story - no more, no less! 

For inspiration and tips, check out the Reader's Digest Website:

http://www.readersdigest.com.au/readers-digest-newsletter-april-2013

http://www.readersdigest.com.au/how-to-write-story-100-words?lid=RDnws0413 

Until next week, happy writing everyone!

Record of meeting 7 August 2013

Present

Lynn, Jo, Leonie, Jenny, David C, Geoff, David R, Helene, Wendy, Terry

 

News

Leonie fed fish at Lady Denman and will visit Melbourne next week, Jenny went to a good cake party, David C’s daughter visited at the weekend and he will walk in the City to Surf, Geoff has had a quiet week and publicised two events, David R has been planning his trip and enjoying life, Helene went to see her son in Wollongong, Wendy had problems with house insurance as she is in a bush fire prone area, Elizabeth saw some beautiful churches around Camden, Terry caught up with an old friend and will start to play his clarinet soon, Jo has a white tip spider bite and has problems with her internet. Maybe the spider bite made Jo unusually talkative today.

 

Words of the day

Essence, Turpitude, Repine, Manchester, Ersatz, Cornucopia, Drab, Fortitude, Chicanery, Infinite, Élan

This week we wrote our words on the white board and this allowed extra time for an exercise and a quick write later in the meeting. We developed stories from the words about The spy who fell in love, In pursuit of wealth, No depravity, Not glamour, The woman from Manchester, The strumpet, Drab times in Manchester – a great poem from David R, Sharp political comment from Geoff, Tony in a man thong, The standard of manchester and No finery.

 

Reading of homework

We read out our homework stories about

A bundle of joy love to Mum, Impressions of time, Yesterdays news, The birthday - Helene gained great enjoyment from her story, The storm symphony, Missing the group from Garry, Too many yesterdays, Under the purple tree, Today will become yesterday and aromatic information with the dogs from Jenny.

 

Reading

Terry recommended The Perk by Mark Gimenez and commented on the great planning he observed. We discussed the merits of planning a story versus letting the characters and our imagination take over. We also discussed the benefits of research and experience and writing about topics we are passionate about.

David R read out his poem Skeletons based on family secrets and a child's curiosity.

 

Exercise

Jo provided a page of phrases and we produced single words to replace the phrases.

 

Quick write

We used the phrase “Don’t get carried away with yourself” to do a quick write.

We produced great stories about - Too much to do, The black prince, Write without delay, No Mackers here, Hard to write, Beats village gossip from Elizabeth who appreciates attending our meetings, Down in the mouth, Not haughty, In my usual political rut, Don’t get carried away, The slippery road and No smoke to be found.

 

Homework

The tree

 

 

Record of meeting 31 July 2013

Present

David R, Trish, Terry, Lynn, Jo, Leonie, Cath, David C, Helene, Wendy, Margaret, Jenny and welcome to Sue

 

News

Sue is happy she finally made it to our meeting as she lives in the area part of the time, Jo has not had computer access for a week, Lynn has been enjoying gardening except for builders next door, Terry bought a dehumidifier which is working well, Jenny went to her daughter’s baby shower, Trish ate too much cake, David R has booked a trip to NZ, Margaret enjoyed Tosca at the Sydney Opera House, Wendy visited Congo, Araluen and Braidwood on a recent day trip, Helene shared a good news tradie story, David C bought in the Angels Catering menu and shared another tradie story, Cath found some good travel information on the internet.

 

Words of the day

Fatuous = stupid, silly

Frey = dispenser of fertility, good weather

Convocation = pulling together a large or formal meeting

Sinecure = position requiring little of no word but providing

Convoluted = complicated, twisted, unnecessarily elaborate

Embroil = implicate or involve in an argument

Ad hoc = for this, solution designed for a specific problem or task.

Inane = lacking sense, stupid

Filigree = delicate kind of jewellery

Ineffable = beyond expression, too wonderful

Picador = a man who incites a bull

Sportsmanship = fairness, cheerful looser

 

Writing from words of the day

A stick insect, Stolen water a great poem from David R, The jewellery maker and the Queen, Bleeding to death, The bull, The master debater - David C of course, The decorated costume, The good sport, Visit to Spain, The filigree ring, The footballer, A cushy job a great poem from Terry and The raving Minister and twins from Jenny.

 

Reading of homework

The good ship a great poem from David R, Meeting Joseph a storm in life, not a spring chicken, Too many friends, my best friend, a real friend from Garry, friends from school, The new dress, Do you remember, With me – an emotional poem from Terry, The cat on the piano – a lovely story from Jenny, a friend to kill for, a friend of mine - a moving story from Trish.

Reading

Terry read his story a storm in my head about Julia. David R read his poems; The death of a bird and Impetuous imps. David C read his stories The stockman, Who would a farmer be and Ode to the Navy Cadets. Margaret is first in line to read next week.

Exercise

We did progressive writes starting with Once upon a time which produced some funny stories.

 

Homework

Yesterday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record of meeting 24 july 2013

Present

Robyn, Leonie, David C, Geoff, Trish, David R, Helene, Wendy, Trevor, Lyn, Cath, Jo and Jenny

 

News

Robyn is in her new home, Jo had family visiting, Cath enjoyed lunch yesterday, Lyn has been at her mothers for a few weeks, Trevor had a hectic adventurous week with lots of dancing, Wendy to Shellharbour square, Helene drove to Tarago and Wollongong, David R has been enjoying eating out, Trish also went to Tarago  and Wollongong, Geoff organised a successful forum on local government, David C has played at the Angles and explained the name and has been cutting up trees, Leonie has been busy with a white fluffy thing and dealt with a family matter and Jenny enjoyed a scenic tour getting to the meeting.

 

Word of the day

Oscillating = moving back and forth at a regular speed

Hoo-ha = a fuss, commotion and slang for vagina

Esoteric = relating to a select group

Belcher = a spotted neckerchief

Devout = deeply religious, swallow or eat greedily, devoted

Congeries = urban mass, collection of particles into one mass

Perilous = dangerous

Penchant = inclination, enthusiasm

Dalliance = dawdling or amorous flirtation

Syzygy = alignment of the planets

Perspicacity = quick mental insight

Extirpate = to search and destroy

Morose = sullen and ill tempered

 

Writing from words of the day

 

Gypsy the belly dancer, In the church, the boxer and the priest, Dangerous ideas and slogans – great political comment from Geoff, Josephine’s dalliance, Joan and James, Belcher liked old bottles, The Queen liked to write poetry, The monk and the Bishop, Dalliance with the butcher and a light bulb moment, A great use of words from Trevor, The dogs addicted to the cane toad and my toy boy from Wendy.

 

Reading of homework

The care dog for Alice, The unknown visitor, After the footy, Lets eat – a hill billy family feast, The wet season, Natures day over the rainbow – a great story from Trish, The boundary rider including a poem from David C, the storm of my life a powerful story by Leonie, a dive ship off Phuket from Garry.

 

Reading

Helene spoke about the American writer Joyce Maynard and her novel Baby Love.

Poems from David R – Waves and a love poem Gentle persuasion

Beautiful writing from Jenny

 

Exercise

We chose one or a few words from the lucky dips and created the great stories - I like bad taste, landing in Japan, China and Russia, the Model M family, Finding a snake, lunch on Sunday, Freedom and friends, travelling on a tram, bums on camera, birds talk, the peach stone and I was a champion.

 

Homework

 Friendship