Record of meeting 17 September 2014

News of the week

Cath received her printer cartridge in the mail packed in lollies. Geoff had a quiet week. Helene put up a vertical garden for herbs. Wendy had a picnic and is booked in for her fifth surgery. Terry had fun at his grandson’s soccer presentation. Jo talked about the Ulladulla Book competition. Lynne napalmed the garden. Leonie plans to start writing this week. David C had no problems detected with his angiogram.  Elizabeth told us about wearing a hospital gown in a high wind.

Leonie told us the best time to see whales in JB is the last week in October.

Words of the day

Equilibrium = stability
Incorrigible = bad beyond correction

Gimp = a lame or stupid person

Soliloquy = talking to one’s self

Tantamount = equivalent to

Frolic = run and play in a lively way

Pell mell = run around in a confused way

Didactic = teaching in a patronising

Bestial = of or belonging to a beast

Zeitgeist = spirit of the times

Writing from words of the day

Jo – a political story

Lynne – a riot

Leonie – politics and the flag

David C – a difficult childhood

Elizabeth – a quick decision

Cath - the teenage like speech

Geoff - Mr Abbott an empty shell

Helene - my Pump class

Wendy - down the street

Terry - Policy is robbery

Reading of homework

Cath – Power in the saddle - part 1

Leonie – A fall from the saddle – part 2

David C – A woman and a man (rewritten from Lynne’s poem)

Elizabeth – More of life in the country

Helene – The truth from Oscar – part 2 of David R’s poem

David R – Invisible - part 2 of Terry’s poem

Terry – SMS - part 2 of David C’s story

Jo – friends together in Arnhem Land – part 2 of Helene’s story

Lynne – a dress up party - part 2 of Jo’s story

We discussed the advantages of writing a progressive story.

Anthology

A discussion on the proposed Anthology was held with different points of view expressed, particularly on the topics of editing, finish and costs. The group decided the current quote is too expensive.  Terry to request a quote from Sanctuary Point Printing. Geoff is collecting names and details of work people want to have included in the Anthology, he will send out an email next week.

Christmas Lunch 2014

Leonie suggested a Wing and a pear in Nowra for Christmas lunch. Wendy will investigate.

Homework

Imagine ……

Record of meeting 10 September 2014

News of the week

David C is having his angiogram tomorrow & did the ice bucket challenge at the Angel. Pauline’s husband enjoyed a hamburger for Fathers Day. Terry won $30 on Lotto for Fathers Day. David R saw whales, dolphins and seals in JB on the weekend. Helene went out to lunch on Sunday and saw a movie. Wendy had several visits to hospital for herself and her husband. Geoff celebrated his son’s birthday and Fathers day on the weekend. Elizabeth told a funny story about her grandson at a family funeral.  Jo had no news. Cath has cleaned two drawers in the kitchen. Lynn has been gardening. Leonie went Kiama and another day to China town in Sydney and also saw the Archibald prize exhibition.

 

Words of the day

Scurrilous = untrue or defamatory

FORTRAN = a high level computer language

Abrogate = to fail to do what is required or cancel formally

Stultify = hamper or impede

Ambivalence = simultaneous contradictory ideas

Stoic = strong in the face of

Accretion = gradual growth or accumulation

Prance = to caper

Honeymoon = sweet month

Limpid = clear

Dipsomania = morbid craving, addicted to alcohol

Innate = inherited characteristics

 

Stories from words of the day

We created a range of great stories as follows

Pauline – my favourite author P G Woodhouse

David C – get off that pedestal

Pauline – a family secret

Lyn – Hiding

Cath – Not generous

Jo – The professor

Elizabeth – torn in two parts

Geoff – The coalition honeymoon is over

Wendy – Me and Mr FORTRAN

Helene – Seaside training resorts

David R – Six foot under

Terry – Young and keen

 

Reading of homework

David C – Living in the fast lane

Terry – Alf and Michael

David R - The two of us

Helene – Paris and Boris

Jo – The mysterious mystery

Lyn – Blame generic ink

Elizabeth – On the farm

Leonie – The coffee shop

Pauline – Jan and Jenny

 

Anthology 2015

We had further discussions on our proposed Anthology and the project outline BANJO-2015 prepared by Geoff. It was agreed

• Helene to ask for advice and quote from Busybird publishing based on 100 copies, maximum 3,000 words from about 12 contributors
• People who want to contribute to the Anthology to email Geoff by Tuesday at geoffdb@shoalhaven.net.au including if its a short story/stories or poem/s and the topic and size of those submissions if known. Remember each contributor will have a limit of 3,000 words.

Homework

Write the final part of the story you received at the meeting today, to a maximum of 1,000 words combined for parts one & two.

 

If you didn’t do part one, write a story/poem using an old homework topic, maximum 500 words.

 

 

 

 

Record of meeting 3 September 2014

 

News

David C is having an angiogram next week. Di’s van has broken down. Lyn has been cleaning out her mother’s house. Jo has had her three sons staying and sharing her car. Terry found the word ruly (as opposed to unruly) and discussed fat loss and global warming from the Catalyst program on ABC 1. Geoff went to the Sydney symphony by train and assured us seniors paper tickets are still available. Pauline is a disappointed woman. Helene is waiting for more warm weather and enjoyed the Publishing workshop in Nowra. David R spent some time in Canberra, went to the NGA and went walking. Cath sprayed for bindii eye weeds. Elizabeth met her newest great grand daughter.

 

Words of the day

Convoluted = complicated

Spifflicated = to destroy

Faction = a mixture of fact and fiction

Redeem = to make better

Imbroglio = an extremely confused and complicated situation

Digest = to absorb

Absolute = free from limitations

Etude = short composition or study

Brevity = short, a fewness of words

Cumbrous = complicated, difficult, unwieldy

Declaim = speak loudly or verbally or attack someone

 

Writing from words of the day

We created the following fabulous stories from words of the day

 

Lyn = a mixture

Jo = the marriage

Terry = a slanging fight

Geoff = Julia and Kevin

Pauline = Family history

Helene = The story

David R = half a sausage

Cath = adjourn to the pub

Elizabeth = Later

David C = Clive and Tony

Di = food and music

 

Reading of homework

 

Most homework was the final part of our ongoing stories, others wrote about postcards

Helene – Finding “me time”

David R – the story of Lucy and Fred

Cath – A dangerous visit to the circus

Elizabeth – Thank you for the postcard

David C – The rescue

Lyn – Dusty Rose

Jo – love and terror in a holiday cabin

Terry – the skull

Pauline – A postcard from Paris

Garry – the end of madness

 

Exercise

David C read his story “Heart of the matter” on the topic "here and now" published on ABC Open.

Terry downloaded some of Michael Robotham's writing for research and found it was  easy to read and written in the first person.

Helene and David R shared information from the "Lets get published workshop" in Nowra on 2 September 2014 conducted by Ms Blaise van Hecke from Busybird Publishing. Helene will email a summary of information collected at the workshop to email address she has. Please send your email address to helene.gaul6@bigpond.com if you think she doesn't have your email address.

 

Anthology 2014

Based on the information from Busybird Publishing, David R suggested we consider producing an Anthology for the group with a total 1,000 words per members who want to contribute. Please think about your contribution and we will discuss at our next meeting. Also prepare a draft of a short bio to go with your contribution to the Anthology. Imagine updated versions of this will appear one day in your published books.  Please email Helene if you have any questions about preparing your bio.

 

Homework the first of three parts

Write a 500 word introduction to a new story using two characters. The second part of the story is to be written by another member as the following week’s homework. (This is an upgrade of the progressive writes we have written as exercises.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's get published workshop 2 September 2014

 

"Let's Get Published Workshop" @ Nowra Library
Interested in taking your writing to the next level? This workshop might be just the thing! Run by author and publisher Blaise van Hecke, Let's Get Published is a free workshop taking place at Nowra Library on Tuesday 2nd September 2014. It's not too late to book your place, so contact the library today on 4429 3710 or Sharpe@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. See you there!

Record of meeting 27 August 2014

News

Jo was nearly late and her grandson has been selected to join the Navy. Terry and Geoff both attended the author event at the Nowra library on the weekend and listened to Michael Roebothan the crime writer. Geoff also had a letter published in the paper. Pauline is hoping to travel to UK but will stay home this Christmas so her daughter can visit. Helene saw two movies at the Sydney Film Festival and had a scam phone call. Cath put a nail through her hand. Elizabeth has a new great grand daughter she hasn’t seen yet, she also had a scan phone call. David C’s new great grandchild arrived and he went to an ABC Open presentation this morning. Leonie’s mother turns 90 next week.

 

Words of day

Intrepid = fearless

Odium = shame or disgrace

Obstreperous = unruly, turbulent

Evolve = gradually develop

Empathy = understanding, sympathy, compassion

Limbo = neither one thing or the other

Despoil = plunder

Temerity = audacity, strength, boldness

Pillage = plunder in war

Antimacassar = a cover to stop oil from hair staining furniture

 

Writing from words of the day

We created a wonderful range of stories as follows

Terry = Shame our politicans

Pauline = I was a Viking

Wendy = four little brothers

Helene = don’t spoil the couch

Cath = the Sesame’s stole the antimacassars

Elizabeth = he invited him in

Geoff = oily corruption

David C = A work of art

Leonie = blood splattered plastic

Jo = hello cuz

 

Reading

Pauline read her poem Jury duty.

Elizabeth is reading “My place” by Sally Morgan and also “The Quran”

 

Exercise

We completed a 10 minute quick write in the first person starting with “It was early evening when”

Pauline - found the body

Wendy - went to bed

Helene - Collingwood beach

Cath - a walk in the squelching mud

Elizabeth - apologised to the birds

Geoff - no way

David C – Tony’s minder

Jo – the man walking past my window

Terry – lucky it’s Tuesday

 

Reading of homework (part two of last week’s story)

We read out some great cliff hangers in particular

David C – Callum and Jock searching in the snow

Leonie – Silence in the coffee shop

Jo – Olivia on holiday thinking, reading and talking to herself

Terry – digging for evidence around the old house

Pauline – Resuscitation of a body

Wendy – she who must be obeyed

Helene – conflict over Tuna casserole

Cath – Avoiding bullies at the circus

Garry – Incomplete moments while life is a beach

 

The Nowra Library is offering a Get published workshop on 2 September 2014

"Let's Get Published Workshop" @ Nowra Library
Interested in taking your writing to the next level? This workshop might be just the thing! Run by author and publisher Blaise van Hecke, Let's Get Published is a free workshop taking place at Nowra Library on Tuesday 2nd September 2014. It's not too late to book your place, so contact the library today on 4429 3710 or Sharpe@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. See you there!

 

Homework

Complete the final part of your 3 part story. Or a story from a post card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record of meeting 20 August 2014

News of the week

David C is waiting for his second great grandchild to arrive. Leonie put several flowering plants in her garden this morning. Geoff had problems with his computer and modem. Jo attended a meeting on Monday because she was concerned about a small child riding a bike on her street but nothing happened and also bought in heaps of watches to show us – all fakes. Pauline invited people to attend a 500 card group at 1.15 pm Mondays at the Country Club Sanctuary point and happy she can stay till 4 pm today. Wendy is addicted to Cryptic crosswords and hasn’t had time to do much else. Helene watched 2 DVDs at home this week during the rain - Bullit and the Great Gatsby. Melissa co-hosted a radio show with Terry on Monday about cars. Terry is researching buying another camera. Di is waiting to learn how to use her new computer.

 

Words of the day

Acumen = wisdom, knowledge, ability

Incandescence = glowing with light

Pecuniary = financial

Mediation = an agreement between parties

Opine = to state an opinion

Prodigal = wasteful, recklessly extravagant

Curate = person in charge of something

Fungible = interchangeable

Prodigy = person with marvellous gift

Eschew = to shun as unworthy, avoid, abstain from

Gobble = to swallow hastily in large pieces

Zenith = the top

 

Stories from words of the day

We created a range of brilliant stories from the words of the day - The play write burnt out, Under the weeping willow tree, The beacon, God help us all, The fashion exhibition, Debt, We light the room – a great poem from Terry, In the harbour, A brilliant career, Hiding on the balcony, Kevin Rudd’s anger and at the show in silver tulle.

 

Reading of homework

Cath – A warm day ahead

Jo - Lifting the curtain

Leonie – In the café

David C – The shepard’s hut

Terry – What happened to dad?

Helene – the book

Lynn – A day never again repeated

 

Reading of stories

Di read a childhood story “Wait a bit man” from an old book

Melissa – read a letter and poem from her grandfather written for her 40 th birthday.  The poem was based on his experiences of loos and animals in Mildura.

 

Exercise

As Melissa is leaving JB to move to Adelaide this month we wrote stories to honour Adelaide

Jo – not on my radar

Pauline – new friends in Adelaide

Geoff – travel to Adelaide with work

Leonie – I want to go to Adelaide

David C – Adelaide gave her hand

Diana – three weeks in Adelaide

Terry – A girl called Adelaide – a great poem

Melisa – Lemonade and yurts

Helene – Aunty Mickey

Wendy – Adelaide the stripper – another great poem

Lynne – snakes in a hessian house

Cath – settlers only in Adelaide

 

Homework - 1,500 word story in three parts (max 500 each part)

Part 1 – introduction of two characters – was due 20 August 2014

Part 2 – the body of the story – due 27 August 2014

Part 3 – the conclusion – due 3 September 2014

If you haven’t already done Part 1, you can read it on 27 August 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record of meeting 13 August 2014

News

Cath enjoyed eating in the Indian restaurant in Nowra. David R is heading for Queensland to see his children and grandchildren. Helene went to two movies on the weekend. Wendy went on a vintage car day and has an infected leg. Melissa had front row tickets for the cancelled Rick Springfield concert. Pauline is sad about Robin Williams’ death. Jo brought info about The Harbour Bookshop Ulladulla Open Short story prize with the theme of Edge, entry form available from www.escapeartfest.com.au and enquiries to info@escapeartfest.info  Welcome back to Lyn who had no news!!!  Diana had a bad week with a problem registering her cat and received a parking fine. Terry is planning to attend a classic car day at Eastern Park providing the weather is good. Leonie had a quiet week and had a lovely time visiting people with two dogs. David C chopped wood all week. Geoff attended two concerts, an Irish movie called Calvary and attempted to go whale watching.

 

Words

Earmark = to mark for a specific purpose

Desiderium = an ardent longing

Depression = medical illness

Magnetic = a person who attracts by power or personality

Dauncy = feeling sick, lacking vitality

Nuance = a delicate shade of difference

Enervate = lacking physical or mental vigour

Privilege = a special advantage

Fraught = full of fright, anxious

Waive = suspend

Opportune = a convenient time

Perambulate = to walk

Metadata = data about data

 

Writing from words of the day

From the words of the day we created brilliant stories as follows

 

Leonie = protest from the majority

David C = getting my book published

Geoff = Mr Abbott has fast moving hips and lips

David R = the flea or me

Helene = chocolate metadata

Wendy = Lycra and suntan crème

Melissa = escaping a seminar

Pauline = Desire for innocent days

Jo = Leaving the school

Lynn = A soft target

Diana = meeting the scientists and management

Terry = What will I write

 

Reading of homework

Helene = silk and satin

David R = arachnophobia

David C = mixed up sisters

Leonie = cameras in the street

Terry = a visit to the morgue

Diana = preferring the night

Lynn = wind on my cheeks and crappy nappies - two great poems

Jo = a strange man at the door and ex husbands new wife - two different stories from Jo's amazing mind

Garry = scones with jam and cream

 

Discussion on matters of interest

1. Geoff while doing his tax on line, discovered that he was unable to claim medical expenses unless he had claimed them last year.

2. David R suggested for the future three part homework, the opening the first week, the second week the middle the second week, the end the third week.  Based on his suggestion David R read the first part of his poem - In the beginning.

3. Reminder - Author event Michael Robotham, Life and Death

Nowra library 1 pm Saturday 23 August

4. Leonie read a beautiful story about angels she wrote for her granddaughter.

5. Melissa’s last week 20 August before she sadly leaves JB with her husband Scott to live in Adelaide. Bring a small plate of goodies to share.

 

Two exercises

1. We created stories of survival in an overcrowded life raft

 2. We completed an exercise to improve three sentences while starting them with a noun

 

Homework

As part of a three part homework exercise write the introduction for a short story/poem. Your story should be up to five hundred words, set the scene and introduce two characters.

In the two following weeks we will write the middle and the end of the story. This homework is designed to develop confidence writing longer stories.

 

 

 Recorded and posted by Helene