Another productive meeting of the CWG this evening where A, P, D, myself and N were in attendance, V, L and J having passed on their apologies.
We started with a discussion on where we were all at with our Works in Progress (WIP). N revealed that he has written more of his third story in the trilogy, A and I have both been editing out WIPs and D has written an extra scene to the one she shared for workshop this evening.
We started with N's work and his first story RBS. A loved that it was dark, but felt that when the character talks about 'spending his money on alcohol and stupid stuff' that what the stupid stuff is should be explained. I felt that the story was powerful, sad and a poignant portrait of modernity. D agreed that it was poignant and moving, but she'd like to see more showing rather than telling, perhaps in flashbacks.
N's second piece PIDH was an experimental story. A felt that the story and the blog did not quite work and that the story was quite a concept that deserved a novel. I agreed, in that like A I did enjoy the blog part too, but felt that the base of the blog post story should be changed to something different, so that the bigger story arc could be left to grow into a novel. I suggested a stalker angle as the beginning of the blog posts built up an expectation in the reader that this would happen. D was impressed at the female POV and we both felt it was a very convincing character. She also loved the big brother premise and felt it was strong and sinister, though believed that a journalist would never reveal their source or publish a blog post about the piece before publishing the story for their job, nor give away details of witnessing a death as the killer would now know who they were and where they live.
N promised that he would send the third story in the trilogy to the members once he has finished it and is intrigued by the idea of lengthening his premise and altering the blog post story into a stalker angle piece.
D's piece was a scene from her new children's novel TG and P felt that there was a lot of dialogue and too many exclamation points. D agreed that she would edit these out as it was a first draft and A shared the anecdote that Stephen King advises that one exclamation point should be used in any work. A felt that it was a good first draft and was pleased that this was not the beginning to the story. D revealed that it was after the first few character-establishing chapters and that she had written it in a non-linear fashion. N felt it was reminiscent of Five Children and It and D felt it was influenced by E Nesbit as she read and loved that as a child. A wondered if the characters of Robert and Marion were a nod to Robin and Marian and D agreed that it is based on her version of the Legend as she wants the reader to ask themselves this question. I felt it had echoes of Peter Pan and Lord of the Flies and suggested a slight line change involving a leg cramp. P revealed that the scene she read made her want to find out more and that it had similarities to the film Time Bandits.
P and D had a difference of opinion about Scrivener and it will be interesting to see what all the members make of it if they try the free trial.
There was not enough time for the timed writing session and the slots for the feedback sessions are available for any member who wishes to share their work at the next meeting.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 17 March 2014 at 6-8pm in Cleckheaton Library. New members always welcome and meetings fortnightly thereafter.
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