The minutes from the last meeting were passed.
WIP updates: Alice has been editing her WIP but has stopped now as she feels she is too close to it and has started planning a new book, that has a sequel, to distance herself. Gemma has been editing her WIP with coloured pens and pastel highlighters for continuity. Pauline has been finishing and transferring her written notes on her Bickerman WIP into a separate book. She has started doing the same for her others and planning. Kathy has done a titchy bit on her Tobias WIP, then she was inspired and did a beatsheet for her murder mystery WIP on an excel spreadsheet. She feels her new librarian character has helped her to structure it, has written more and will be changing the beginning. She has also been undertaking some scrivener research. I have been editing and planning the 'ordinary world' new beginning to my romantic suspense WIP, which I had brought some of to share for feedback.
Feedback sessions: As Alice had to leave the meeting early, she started the feedback sessions off. She shared the new first chapter of her WIP which is made up of split by time scenes. The chapter was very polished and had great characterisation in terms of the MC and antagonist. It was felt that naming the protagonist in the first chapter was possible even though the chapter was written from first person POV.
Kathy shared sections from her murder mystery WIP that was very amusing and well written. The characters played off against each other very well and Kathy said she had decided to change the detective investigating the writer from a fan of his fiction to the opposite, which will involve some rewriting. She has also added a love interest and is up to 6k words now.
I shared the first chapter written from the POV of the female MC, which will be the second chapter of the romantic suspense WIP (the first chapter being the male MCs POV) to see if the members felt the 'ordinary world' of the character was interesting enough. The members felt intrigued by her character, Kathy in particular liked her, and felt that it was showing not telling. Pauline felt that I did not need to name all the 'friends' so soon (subplot).
CW comps/workshops/events: Read Regional have a series of events coming up locally, one of which is a FREE Author Talk by YA writer Laura Steven 1.30-3pm on 10 April at Halifax Central Library. Full details of events can be found on the New Writing North website: newwritingnorth.com or in brochures that can be picked up from Cleckheaton Library.
The SCBWI NE has a The Seven Steps to Plotting and Pacing workshop with Maureen Lynas (writer Em Lynas) taking place on 13 April 11-3pm at York Central Library. Tickets are £25 for members and £30 for non-members.
Karen informed members that there is a new feedback writing group that takes place once a month on a Wednesday evening at Yeadon Town Hall from 6.30pm. Writers of all genres are welcome and the March meeting takes place tonight. The format is to share a few chapters of what you are working on the weekend before the meeting for feedback on the night. Any interested CWG members, please contact Karen for details of the organiser etc.
Gemma mentioned that the Myslexia Conference takes place over two days in Leeds this year at a cost of around £500, and she thinks there are bursaries available.
Pauline informed the group that in the Writers Forum magazine this month is an article on the A-Z of building characters. She kindly offered to scan it and pass along to interested CWG members.
Write-In's: Each Monday afternoon from 2pm, Alice, Gemma and Karen meet up at a local cafe for writing. Kathy can join us every other Monday and all CWG members are welcome to attend (though Kathy cannot attend next Mondays session). Any interested CWG members, please feel free to come along to Bennetts Eggs Garden Cafe in Liversedge this coming Monday.
The next meeting will take place on Monday 1 April 2019 at Cleckheaton Library, 5.30-7pm. New members always welcome.
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