Hello to all!
After continually advising folks to read "The Blog", I apologize for being remiss in getting a post-meeting comment up here. Upon finally, being able to have a fully functioning E-Mail service, I'm afraid I got caught up in dealing with the backlog of piled up correspondence.
Our first meeting at the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department was well attended. First, I'd like to welcome all the new faces and thank everyone for coming. I was thrilled to see the growth of attendance by the poets. Other than the normal wrinkles which always seem to accompany the unpacking from a trip, along with the venturing home through Nature's display of fireworks, all went well. I'd like to thank all the readers for their great contributions, and reiterate my praise for Rita Barry, who I believe impressed everyone after of months of relative silence and rapt attention to others.
I've received a suggestion that we have a 'suggestion box' of input and possible questions to be discussed in a question and answer segment. Upon pondering that idea coupled with others suggesting smaller critique groups, I do believe we'll try something new at the July meeting. In the beginning with Ed's return, we'll lead off with Ed's Story Time read by Linda White, which is a tradition now. Then, we'll break up into smaller groups of genre-type writers and devote an hour to critique of small portions or excerpts so that more can be involved. It will be up to each sub-group how they want to do it. Each group can select their own leader or set time rules and procedure. I will keep my role out of that portion.
At 7:45, we'll re-join as one group and the last hour will be devoted to whatever is in the suggestion box, or asked on the spot. With an agenda of this type, more will get to take part, more time will be spend on the craft of writing, and camaraderie will increase as people get to know each other better.
I would appreciate comments of a yeah or nay nature on this proposed agenda without expectation of reply. I am entirely too bogged down with individual emails. If you have a specific question of a general nature, please write it on a piece of paper and toss it into the suggestion box when you arrive. If it's of a private nature, then of course, feel free to email me.
At discussion time, I'll just start reading them at random. You needn't sign your name if you'd rather remain anonymous. The only thing I wouldn't address is a critical remark about someone else's work, or using someone else to illustrate a negative. We aren't there to desparage each other, but to encourage. Yet, we are also there to learn! Sufficient time for both these elements is going to have to be allotted or people will lose interest.
I have arranged for a guest speaker for the month of October when everyone returns from summer traveling. More on that later.
Susan
