Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) met virtually on Monday night with Sam, Alice, Gemma and myself in attendance, Sarah having passed on her apologies.
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record.
Competitions: Gemma informed members that there is still time to enter the Agora competition and the Madeliene Milburn mentorship.
WIP updates: Since the last meet I have been editing my second RS novel Undercover, I've submitted one of my picture books to the Hachette competition and started a new romance WIP which I shared for feedback. Sam has written chapters 1-3 on his WIP and been editing. He has also started on chapter 4. Alice has finished her GEA plan and got the okay, so will be implementing and editing. Gemma has been working on editing the first three chapters of her current WIP for a competition at the end of the month and reading both Save the Cat books.
Plans for the writing: I will be writing chapters 1 & 2 of my WIP as I realise the chapter I shared is best as chapter 3 and planning/plotting for it. Sam will be finishing chapter 4 and sending to his beta readers, editing when he has received feedback. Alice will be working through her chapters and adding the new stuff. Gemma will continue with her competition entry editing.
Feedback: Alice shared the first chapter of her new WIP Project Nightmare. CWG members felt it was a great start, it really draws you in from the off and the conflict between the MC and her brother, and the MC and her parents is palpable. Some members felt that it could do with more oomph (Alice explained the novel is basic sci-fi). The chapter ending has a great hook, as is the man sat in the blacked-out windowed car outside their home. Plus the secret meetings between her parents and the twist at the end when the MC has been dumped at her grandma's house really makes you want to read more.
Sam shared the first three and a bit chapters of his WIP The Minre King. CWG members thought the map was cool and it had great world-building. Despite it being a genre some members did not read, there were some good ideas in it. There were a lot of names/places beginning with the same letter and some light editing is needed. Some times the pace was too quick, with a lot of things happening at once when it may be better to slow it down and show the characters reactions more. There are good hooks and great chapter endings and though the dialogue was excellent at demarcating characters, it may be improved with more dialogue added to the chapters.
Karen shared the first chapter she had written of her new romantic comedy. CWG members felt there were some funny lines in it with good characters. It was well written for a first draft with natural comedy with good flow and pace. The 2 female characters came across as younger and more than just boss and assistant, and Alice wondered what was holding Eveline back, guessing it had something to do with a wedding bouquet.
Members look forward to reading more of these WIP.
All members thought sharing work ahead of time to give more detailed feedback worked well and it was agreed this should be continued going forward.
The next meeting will take place on the evening of Monday 6 July via Zoom so can all members wishing to share work for feedback please email it to all members by the end of Sunday 28 June 2020.
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