Record of meeting 16 November 2011

Present: Leonie, Terry, Geoff, Helene, Gary, Mandy, Wendy, David C.

News: Leonie – Chaos continues with her house building. Terry – had a great weekend drooling at a car show in Canberra. Geoff – has had a quiet week. Helene has a new lap top. Gary has been listening to poetry for Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson. Mandy –got her friend into a nursing home and has been baking for the weekend. Wendy’s mum who is 84 years old is coming out from the UK for a 12 week visit. David C – was late for the meeting as he was waiting for confirmation of a trip to NZ in 2012.

Word of the day

Geoff - Ineluctable – unavoidable, inevitable. Helene - a palimpsest a parchment written upon twice. Gary – arrant – adjective – absolute, utter, downright.  Mandy lackadaisical – lazy and careless in a dreamy way, thoughtful. Wendy – Mickey Finn a saloon keeper at the lone star Saloon in Chicago who drugged his customers to rob them. David C – mututable – subject to change or changeable. Leonie – whorl – one turn of a spiral, small wheel of a spindle, ring of leaves around a stem. Vernix – coating of a baby’s body when born. Terry – augur – comes from a high ranking priest who made predictions – foretelling of the future.

Quick write from our words

Gary wrote about the slap. Mandy wrote about nurses at play. Wendy hit him with a shoe. David C was with Jenny on a romantic island. Leonie wrote about the delivery. Terry took us in the snow. Geoff used anti aging cream. Helene wrote about the funeral of Mickey Finn.

Reading of homework

Gary read a story of an emergency in Wollongong hospital. Mandy who an overachiever wrote 3 stories and shared one - The day Jim grew up.  Wendy read a smart poem about the Push. Leonie told us about the birth of a baby in a car. Terry took us to jail in Bali. Helene shared the story of his grace and the priesthood.

Homework

          1. Write a story or poem about a treasured memory

 2. If you have not already done so bring in a piece of paper containing three things about yourself unknown by other members

Record of meeting 9 November 2011

Present: David C, Mandy, Wendy, Gary, Helene, Terry, Leonie, Geoff


News: David C heard that the poetry he has may or may not be genuine A B Patterson writing. Leonie house is moving ahead her toilet walls are painted a beautiful blue. Helene has a new Samsung phone. Geoff celebrated his birthday last week with an Indian meal. Gary went to Haymarket branch of the Bank of China and was able to withdraw money deposited in China. Mandy reported her friend has recovered from her illness and is moving into a retirement home. Wendy’s son in Queensland is getting married.


Words of the day
Helene - dénouement - comprises events between the falling action and the actual ending scene of the drama or narrative and thus serves as the conclusion of the story. Geoff – apostille – stamp or document with stamps that recognises a treaty. Gary – bailiwick – a special individual skill. Mandy – topical - relevant. Wendy – bellicose – belligerent aggressive, truculent. David C – advocate – someone who pleads a cause in a court. Terry – threnody – a song of lamentation.


Quick write
We wrote for 10 minutes using the words of the day. This was a challenge but stories about the Magna Carta, Joe Frasier and Berlusconi, concerts, migrants and singing emerged.


Reading of homework
Gary wrote about rain. Geoff about lottery wins. Helene wrote about having nothing to wear. Leonie wrote about food, water, wealth and self preservation. Terry produced a funny poem. David C was climbing out of the dung heap. Wendy was trying to choose between being dead or alive. Mandy wrote about a dancer and a birthday cake with an unexpected ending.


Leonie read more of her charming story of Madeline Holt and her maid. David C read more of his humorous story about Charlie the detective. Mandy read part of a story with the working title ‘War on words” about a young single mother. Terry read of poem of the stories he imagined from seeing a bunch of nails on a pole.

Books and authors
Helene talked about the book she is reading called "The Maeve Binchy Writer's club" a series of letters with advice, inspiration and information on writing and getting published.


Homework


1. Write a story or poem with the theme - The sweat poured down his/her face.


2. Bring with you next week a piece of plain paper with a typed list of three things about yourself the group does not know (do not identify yourself). We will share the papers for others to guess who’s who – who will have the best intuition?

Record of meeting 2 November 2011

Present: Gary, Mandy, Wendy, Leonie, Terry, Geoff and Helene


Helene raved about her recent cruise to NZ. Gary reported that his sister Wendy is feeling great after having a pacemaker installed. Mandy is stressed because a friend is very ill. Wendy brought information about our Christmas lunch to be held at Mel’s Place at St Georges Basin at 12:30 pm on Wednesday 7 December 2011. Leonie asked about David R Terry reported that he is doing well after his surgery and that Terry has his first client for his business coaching services. Geoff received lots of calls for his 70 th birthday today – Happy birthday, you are Looking great.


Word of the day
Gary - reverberated – heard it today in relation to China and the Euro. Mandy brouhaha – a big commotion a loud confused noise. Wendy - mignon -small cute dainty. Leonie – cadence - rhythm, measured movement of sound. Terry unctuous -ingratiating. Geoff - pollard – milling powdered form of bran and a way to trim trees.


Quick write from words of the day
We produced a group of stories with a political, multicultural, religious and gardening focus.


Homework reading
Gary what if there was no lotto, will the muslins take over. Mandy what if I had been born with different genes. Wendy Pressure the poem of life. Terry end of the tunnel – a corrupt police officer. Geoff told us about the email he received called lights at the end the tunnel.


Books and authors
Helene talked about a series of books by Joan Anderson an unfinished woman who ran away to Cape Cod for a year of self discovery. Gary talked about a story by Tom Clancy about a plane that crashed into the White House. Mandy talked about the Diana Gambaldon fantasy story "Dragon fly in Amber" about travelling between the past and present. Wendy talked about the story "Stand by me" a great story by Stephen King. Terry went to the library and found the book by Ted Bullpitt – Put the money on the fridge a funny read. Geoff talked about The "Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society" by Mary Anne Shaffer a very funny story.

From Gary - The new SOS - Slower Older and Smarter.


Exercise - A description using as many of the senses as possible. Helene waited in line in Macca’s. Gary took us on a carefree picnic. Wendy provided the sights and smells of the school room. Terry took us into a fish and chip shop while Geoff took us shopping in Bunnings.


Homework – Having too much or not enough of something. What would be worse?

Meeting 26/10/2011.
Present were Terry, Wendy, Dave, Robyn, Leonie and Geoff.
Terry has spoken to Jo about a project she is working on, good luck with it Jo.
Geoff went to Sydney to a 20th anniversary of a writers' group he belongs to.
Leonies' mum has been visiting from Queensland, and the new house is moving along.
Dave has been spending time with some fellow entertainers from the olden days, he's been roadying and having a ball.He also did the Great Ocean Road, enjoyed it very much.
Robyn spent 3 days in Canberra went to the Archives and the War Memorial.
Wendy is going to see Leo Sayer in 2 weeks time.
Word of the day,
Visceral-relating to instincts.  Panache.- With flair and style.
Swingeing-Punishing, severe.  Timorous-timid, scared.
Fug-Stale atmosphere.  Totem- Tribal badge, emblem.
Perplexed- puzzled.  Belie-Contradict, refute.
Quick writes on word of the day were,
Robyn-Jeremy,  a visit to the museum.
Terry, Luna Park A fun/funny day out.
Geoff, Tonified, hilarious comments about you know who.
Leonie, The homecoming, about a soldied having fun.
 Wendy, A poem about naughty boys at school,
Homework.
Terry, What if-A sad and funny poem, making us think about life.
Leonie, Family-A lovely story about lasting love.
Wendy, Midsomer- A funny poem about living in Midsomer.
Dave, QuandarHilarious poem about people.
We discussed a book Robyn had from an Aboriginal writer called Max Dulumummun Harrison
All about legends and beliefs.
Wendy spoke about Kathy Reichs who is a Forensic Anthropologist, and writes books.
Homework for next week is  End of the tunnel.

WRITERS GROUP MEETING

19TH OCTOBER 11

ATTENDING.

MANDY BYRNE. WENDY WILLIAMS. GARY HOLMES. TERRY MCLAFFERTY.

DAVE RUDDER.GEOFF BOLTON.

Dave printed the new format for the writers group and handed it out. Mandy has spare copies.

News of the Day.

Wendy went to see Red Dog and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mandy. Had a full body scan and waiting for results.

Gary. Enjoying having all his sisters and family around him.

Geoff. Nothing major just enjoyed his week.

Terry. Has decided to write a longer piece of writing, loosely based on his fathers life. To be done in prose

Dave  Very proud of his daughters and showed us their swimming achievement .

He needs picking up from hospital if it is the weekend after his hip operation next week..

Word of the Day

Geoff.   Picayune ...small. petty, mean, trivial

Garry. Readability meaning something very worth while to read.

Mandy. Solecism when someone grammatically uses a word making the sentence sound slightly absurd often when foreigners do it unintentionally.

Wendy. Indefatigable. Untiring Industrious or persistent.

Dave  Sinistral...of the left hand.

Terry. Read an article on words. Very interesting and funny.

We then did a quick write on the words above.

Wendy started us off and did hers in rhyming form.

Mandy and Gary stuck to a quick write.

Geoff tried to include the words in a sports write.

Terry. He did a funny poem well done and good.

Dave is just as clever and did it in poem form.

HOMEWORK.

Wendy did a poem called Why. She wanted to be a super model but was a foot too short. A funny poem.

Mandy wrote a short story called One of Their own. A funny tale.

Wendy Dave and Mandy were only the ones who did their homework. Our Halos shine.

Dave read out his in a poem we all enjoyed his usual funny self.

Stopped for afternoon tea and a natter.

Book Author Discussion.

Geoff.  Raymond Carver he spoke about the style of his writing. Mainly short stories. The film Jindabyne was based on his story So Much Water. American writer. He died two years ago at 45.

Peter Carey. Terry enjoys the way he does his characters and the style he presents them in his novels.

Gary. Jeffery Archer. All about the Masonic Lodge and how they operate. He found it brought back lots of memories of his childhood and his Nan going to the women's Eastern Star Order.

Mandy is enjoying Wilbur Smith. She enjoyed the history and the way he makes you feel like the characters he portrays. Adventure stories with a difference.

We talked about several other authors.

Wendy talked about the Lovely Bones. by Alice Sebold. She told us about the author.

Dave, Spoke about Isabel Allende  a Spanish writer, her books have been translated into many languages. Writes in a very poetic way and Dave enjoys it. He read a passage of her book aloud.

Members On Going Works.

Geoff read some of his work in progress. Based in Japan it is really interesting as Geoff has lived in Japan and can describe the country and people in a believable way.

Mandy read from her current novel War on Words. A story loosely based on her mothers life. Mainly just ideas and some events.

Quick Write On the Carbon Tax. We all had ideas and Wendy decided Shane Warne was a much better subject than the Carbon Tax. Some did it in rhyme.

Homework.

Wendy set the homework 'What If" this can cover anyt topic.

Please note this week the men outweighed the women by two to one. Wendy and Mandy handled the situation with their usual panache.

Record of meeting 12 October 2011

Present: Terry, David R, Wendy, Mandy, Helene, Geoff, Robyn


We held a general discussion on critiquing of other people's work.  It was agreed that we should directly ask a member if we want feedback. 
In addition we had quite a discussion regarding the way we run the weekly meetings. 
Excellent and important feedback was received from existing and other members currently not attending. It was agreed that the brag/news session at the beginning had got out of hand and was becoming a bit of a talk fest. We agreed to trial the following general outline in future meetings and modify it as we go to get the best outcome for all members. 


1 pm – 2:30 pm
Short news (2 minutes max. each)
Word of the day
Quick write from words of the day (10 mins max)
Reading that quick write
Homework reading (allocated from previous week)


approx. 2:30 pm afternoon tea


Remainder of afternoon
Book/Author discussion ( share a taste of your favourite book or author)
Major project reading (share part of your bigger project)
Homework setting


Word of the day
Wendy – disingenuous - lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; false or hypocritical. Mandy – sagacities – foresight, good judgement. 
Helene - abroad - English people going to Europe. 
Geoff – sycophant – A person who uses flattery to gain favour with someone in power 
Terry – vivify – to give life or make it more vivid or animate. 
David R - Gordian knot – difficult or involved problem.


Homework reading
"What is the one invention I could not live without"
David R – The unicorn – prose on an explosion and a ship and a poem My vibrator
Wendy – a funny poem about the flushing loo. 
Mandy – Being digested - memories of life before, and since, electricity. 
Helene – the lovely one. 
Terry – grey matter...my brain


David R read a poem about word homework. 
Geoff read more of his novel set in Tokyo.


Quick write from words of the day
Helene – the Gordian knot. 
Geoff - the tour guide. 
Terry – poem on writing. 
Robyn – on a tour. 
David R – two poems about disappearing abroad. 
Wendy – a poem - Vivifying my marriage.


Homework - A packet of nuts, 2 lbs of flour and a bag of fertiliser. What was it for?

BLOG FOR 5TH OCTOBER 2011

Attending Terry McLafferty . Leonie Worthy. Mandy Byrne

We were very light on the ground this week.

Word of the Day

Mandy…

Antebellum This refers to a house built during or after the American Civil War.

Cosy…The origin is Scottish and is used in different countries differently. You can describe a room as cosy and in America and Canada you cosy up to someone.

Leonne.

Extant…means existing  now…it can be an old law still used today.

Akimbo…To stand with your arms up with hands resting on your hips.

Terry.

Cadre…It means a small cell of trained zealous revolutionaries. 

Infant…An angel whose wings get smaller as its legs get taller. (Think about it)

Homework.

Terry…Unicorn Unicorn. A poem. A really funny poem and we loved it. Noah's Ark will never be the same again after Terry's poem.

Leonne. The Magic of colour. A short story. Dreams of Unicorns as in all dreams anything is possible.

Mandy. The Little Mother. A short story of a child that could imagine anything and lived her dreams.

Our Quick Write was No More Secrets.

We spent an hour doing this enjoying having time.

Homework.

What is the one invention you could not live without and why?

A short meeting but we spun it out till the time alloctated and enjoyed ourselves.

Terry is concerned that our meetings might be getting a bit same old, same old.  If anyone has any new ideas for our meetings we want to hear about them.