Sunday, 10 November 2024

Cleckheaton Writers Group minutes, meeting 28 October 2024

Cleckheaton Writers Group (CWG) met on Monday 28 October 2024 5.30-7pm at Cleckheaton Library with David, Karen, Kathy, potential new member Michael and Reuben in attendance, Barbara, Molly, Ivy and Michelle having passed on their apologies.

Karen welcomed Michael to the meeting and CWG introduced ourselves and gave background to our writing journeys. Michael shared that he has written for YouTube comments, a sci-fi and Star Trek novel (like his own version of Borg origins), and geo-political commentary from an absurdist POV. Welcome Michael to the group.

There were no minutes from the last meeting as only Ivy and Reuben were in attendance.

A mystery benefactor has bequeathed a box of writing books and a stack of Myslexia magazines to the Writers Group and Karen will be sending a list of the book titles to current attending members who will then be able to email and request their book/s of choice. Thank you to our mystery friend.

WIP updates: Karen has been attending some business TEAMS meetings in preparation for the official launch of her own business, entered her debut novel rom com Christmas Evie into three of the RNA Awards for this year, has organised attendance at two book fairs and an online author interview, plus been giving MS appraisal advice to her first business client. Kathy has been busy visiting Red Rock USA and working. Reuben has been attending the Anna Chilvers course as he had put off arranging his chapter order and this is now sorted. He has 36 chapters and POV and location for all. He has undertaken a couple of edits and 1 more chapter needs adding, then he needs to rewrite. 3 characters have been chopped out and 1 more changed a lot (smaller part). Dave has sorted out a submission for the Bruntwood Prize, then he saw in the small print of the rules that it needs to be a one hour play. He will be tweaking and lengthening it by the end of December deadline. A couple more stories on Listening to Frogs, so he now has 23/4 short stories and he brought some for feedback. Then he has a novel, 10 year 10 days he wants to do some work on.

CW comps/workshops/events: Magma Poetry Pamphlet competition Magma open poetry pamphlet competition 2024 - Magma Poetry and holistic writing class for women* https://nadiacolburn.com/free-holistic-writing-class/   National Poetry Competition that Michelle mentioned.  Submission deadline is 31 October 2024.  1st prize is £5,000, first entry costs £8, subsequent entries are £5.  Any theme. Anna Chilvers writing courses (see pages 3-5) Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival 18-22 September: https://budlitfest.org.uk/, Birmingham Literature Festival 28 September - 19 October https://www.birminghamliteraturefestival.org/, Beth Kempton Summer Light (self paced) information on FB or Insta, 10 week creative writing course Bradford Libraries September 2024, Write Your Novel Course 6 weeks Shipley Library 19 September and Bradford Open Mic 4 September (see Karen's blog post on 19 August for full details) An opportunity to take part in poetry reading and discussion: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/deiUQPr6USUPbXrI?ref=Link&loc=play Stratford on Avon Literary Festival 27 October, Sat 2 November 10.30-12 Pop Up Café, Denby Dale Book Fair 2 November 10-3, Wakefield Trinity PYA Book Fair 7 December and Scarborough Writers Retreat July 2025

Writing plans: Karen will be attending more business TEAMS meeting, meeting with her client for further work on MS and hopefully editing/writing. Kathy hopes to edit Tobias and continue her work with Chapter One helping children to read. Reuben will probably undertake a chapter rewrite or write the next chapter in chronological order. Michael will be bringing something for feedback. David hopes to complete his Bruntwood submission by the end of November, work on Changing Tastes and rewrite/update Listening to Frogs and have 15 short stories.

Feedback sessions: David shared A little touch of Irish in the Night with the group. This was a great narrative, memoir-style piece about the Dubliners which was detailed and atmospheric. Kathy felt like it was revisiting from years ago to now the memories and changes against what stays the same.

Writing challenge: NOV Theme Bonfire night/fire

Next meeting: Monday 25 November 2024 

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