Thursday 20 July 2023

Cleckheaton Writers Group minutes, Monday 17 July 2023

Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) met on Monday at 5.30pm at Cleckheaton Library with Paul, Barbara, Karen, Reuben, Gemma, Cassie, Michelle and Kathy in attendance, Alice having passed on her apologies.

Cassie and Karen introduced themselves to Paul and all three discussed their writing history.

The minutes from the previous meeting were passed.

WIP updates: Karen has received feedback on 10k of her The Pallbearer MS and her covering letter, applied for the Beyond Brontes opportunity and pitched to Simon and Schuster for their One Day Originals. Barbara has written the second section of her new serial. Kathy has written articles for her church on a stained glass artist, a Bradford sculptor and painter and the man who was the inspiration for Father Ted. She has also written a drabble for the July theme Independence and brought it for feedback. Paul has been working on the second half of his Mary Bell novel, and a polemic to Ian Bailey. Gemma has been writing a covering letter and synopsis for her Curtis Brown course and has had an idea on how her MC can get back to the current time. Reuben has been working on chapter three as he has been struggling with chapter two.

CW comps/workshops/events:

Bradford Literature Festival, Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Festival HARROGATE, Can’t See the Wood for the Trees Creative Writing workshop with Ali Taft Tuesday 12 September 2023 2-4pm Leeds Beckett University (details on LinkedIn/Eventbrite), Harlequin Mills and Boon pitch day for romantic suspense Tuesday 18 July 1.30pm-midnight on twitter, The Bronte Society Nature Writing masterclass 30 July https://www.bronte.org.uk/whats-on/1311/nature-writing-masterclass/6775?fbclid=IwAR2e650M_G7T7p4SpdcGz91AXVAQ6fzxwn4v9w_SQ6iPY9CwobHpOWNJLcw Book Baby FREE LIVE Webinar Get Past Procrastination and Get back to Writing 8pm Wednesday 19 July (link on my blog post) and Atmosphere Press FREE Webinar Promoting your Book in 2023 webinar Thursday 20 July 6pm https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register

Feedback sessions: Barbara shared part two of her Valetta serial which was well received and members thought the MC worrying about her new responsibility and feeling like she was prying into her parents private papers felt very realistic. Barbara explained Valetta was eighteen and had seen her mum reading old-fashioned books. Members felt the end dialogue was very funny. Kathy shared her dribble on Independence which was poignant and well received.

Kathy had very kindly done some research into exchanging Word documents from Apple to Microsoft and Karen is extremely grateful as this may help her and her editor with their current edits.

Writing plans: Karen is going to pitch her two RS novels to the HM&B pitch day for romantic suspense, is hoping to get 3-6 chapters of her editing done and to write something for a change whilst she is on her writers retreat. Reuben will be working on chapter three. Gemma will be editing and finishing the last week of her Curtis Brown course. Cassie hopes to begin a short story. Paul will work on his polemic. Michelle will be working on her Ryan MS. Kathy will finish her articles and hopes to work on her Tobias MS. Barbara hopes to work on her Valetta serial which she thinks will be in three or four parts. 

Writing challenge: JULY Independence

Next meeting: Will take place on Monday 31 July 2023 at 5.30pm at Cleckheaton Library. New members are always welcome.

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