Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) met virtually on Monday evening at 5.30pm, Sarah, Gemma, Sam and Karen in attendance, Alice and Mandy having passed on their apologies.
WIP: Karen has submitted a MS to Rebecca Ritchie at A. M. Heath, edited her latest finished WIP, edited and submitted 5k words of Half-lands and her BookMapLite to GEA for feedback, 2 chapters of Quantum Worlds to SCBWI for feedback and planned a new scene for her current WIP. Gemma has completed 900 words on her WIP and decided to kill another character (the second one) as it will relate to the MCs flaw and prompt change at the Dark Night of the Soul. She is undergoing a writing course with Ali Taft and already has lots of homework including sorting out her chapters for her WIP. Gemma will also be attending a workshop on Post It Planning with Julie Cohen this week. Sarah is working on Book 3, writing 3k words a week (5 sessions of 600 words a week and if she misses a session she writes 1200 to catch up) and researching decomposition of human bodies over 20 years. She has ordered forensics books and is at 9k words. Sam has been working on chapter 4 of his WIP and re-reading The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings for research, writing style, medieval fantasy, weapons, plot and characters.
Courses and competitions: Sarah reminded everyone that Harrogate Crime Festival is online this year, as is Jericho Writers Summer Festival which both Sarah and Gemma are attending. Sarah explained how the Jericho Writers subscription works, £75 membership for 3 months but in August, it may be reduced by a third and you can get June and July replays of the workshops. Sarah informed members that the free Harper Fiction Publishing Masterclass takes place at 6.30 on Wednesday evening. Karen had sent Sam some information on a competition and a screenwriting opportunity for young writers.
WIP feedback: Sam had shared his WIP, including new chapter 4, for feedback. Sarah felt the foreboding in the chapter and enjoyed it, but felt the mythical creature should have a capital to its name. Gemma enjoyed the voice of Torolf and that the mood as a colour was grey. She enjoyed the dramatics at the end with the subtle difference to Torolf, feeling that it was eerie. Karen felt there was great world-buuilding but wondered if Torolf's drinking was in keeping with his family man character. She also agreed with Gemma that the French accent dialogue should be used sparingly and guessed what she thought had happened to Torolf.
Sam had asked about chapter length which lead to a discussion about this. All the ladies felt that chapters depended on the genre of the MS (e.g. crime is usually shorter) and because of Sam's MS being fantasy, long chapters are more than acceptable.
Sarah asked if any of the members knew any Forensic Archaeologists (if anyone does, please get in touch with her).
The next meeting will take place virtually on Zoom on Monday 10 August and any work for feedback should be sent to all members by this Sunday, 2 August please.
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