Wednesday - April 3, 2013

The meeting went well. We had 18 people who signed in and my wife attended though she didn't sign in. Three new attendees were there and 13 readers included two of the new people.

Don Westerfield led off the reading as he opted to allow others to read last meeting. His story of Manuuk, (Ma-new-hook) was an intriguing tale of an old Indian who catches a magic fish; at least in his dreams.

Ed Ellis issued a challenge and asked for help with a 38 word conundrum. He wants help with the following sentence:

“When reaching a conclusion and a guess is hiding behind the illusion, of a conclusion, and if it happens by chance to be correct, at the moment, it is accepted; or if it is false, it is rejected.”

How can this be reconstructed to make it more clear?

Peter Frickel read another story of South Africa. He related as to how a witch doctor helped him grow a second heart. Kathleen read more of her book about the aging widow Maureen. Pssst, Maureen finally had sex! Bill Elam read a chapter from earlier in the story of the old man. The old man reflects on the past and ponders the future. Bill is inserting some character development for each of the main characters in his story. Pat Patterson announced that he has engaged an editor for his Viking saga, The Takers. He read another chapter and is moving along.

Keri, in an unusual move, introduced a first draft for us to hear. She will refine the piece and bring it back to the next meeting so that we may see how much it can improve. It's an adventure with a dirt bike as she grows up in South Florida.

Andrew introduced us to a new view of his writing. His humor was damped as Blake Brimstone takes the shape and mentality of a seven-year-old girl who is bullied, because of physical and mental disabilities. He did a remarkable job at relating the feelings and anxieties of a child who finds her mother dead.

Joanne read another chapter of her book, "Adventures of a Sea Hag" and said it was going to go into a second printing. She would appreciate critique as she is making a few changes.
Nancy O'Grady, one of the new attendees, gave us a treat as she related the "Saga of the Corn beef;" she asks a question. Was it corn beef or was it turkey? There was some references to St Patrick and Jack Daniels.

Another newbie, Linda Schell, brought a children's story to the group. "Come Along With Me" is a fantasy for 8-12 year olds that features a tiny kangaroo named Gracie and she is bored.

We wrapped up almost on time and it seems as though all had a good time. There was lively discussion and much participation by everyone.

See you next week,

Rod DiGruttolo