Schedule and Location

Our group meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Nokomis Fire Station. From Sarasota or North, proceed a few blocks south of Albee Road on US 41 (past Matthews-Currie Ford) to Pavonia Road. Turn right (West, toward the bay) at the Fire Station's flashing yellow caution traffic light. From the south on US 41, we are two blocks north of Dona Bay. Turn left onto Pavonia Road at the flashing yellow caution light. At the Fire Station, drive to the fire hall's far end or west side; PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DOORS! We gather in the training room at the far end of the complex for a meet and greet at 6:00 pm but call the Meeting to order at 6:30 pm and take a Ten-minute break at around 7:50 pm. Meeting Adjourns: 9:00 pm

Thursday, March 08, 2018

March 7th, 2018


Our first meeting in March was well attended. 

Check the FWA website, 
Also for those who may be interested in writing events, we received a link to this website; 
  https://austinfilmfestival.com

Congratulations to our own Don Westerfield on publishing his entitled Echoes of Engines and Men Memoirs of an Air Guardsman. Available on Amazon and from Don at our next meeting. Good stuff!

Three new writers came to this meeting and it was a pleasure to meet them. Welcome to Phyliss, George, and Mike.

A discussion of the events at our last meeting gave us insight into how our writers enjoyed Elizabeth Sims' presentation last meeting. The consensus was positive and most said they learned a lot from what she had to say.

The reading portion of our meeting began with Bill reading the beginning of a new project. He's sketching some ideas with a writing blast. He presented the ideas in the rough form. 
1. The Orca's Leg, explores the mind of an old Orca in captivity for many years. An interesting and provocative idea with a plethora of potential.
2. The Motorcycle Wreck, a young couple take a ride on his motorcycle after spending the week at Daytona Beach during Bike Week. Disaster strikes when a truck and the motorcycle try to occupy the same space.
3. The Old Marine Park, an aging marine park, in financial difficulty, finds itself in even deeper trouble when a young woman's leg turns up in the Orca's show-pool.
What happens next? We’ll have to wait and see what he does developing the story.

Don reveals the source of his book title when he shares these two poems, Up There and Echoes of Engines and Men. Great poems.

After rewriting the opening chapter of The Manipulator, Debbie read the latest version. Great dialog and a subtle hook. She received a lot of feedback we hope helps her move forward.

Having received the proof copy of this latest book, A Gathering of Demons, Bruce shared the cover art with us as well as the snippets of prose inspiring the burning angel on the cover. He also gave us a preview of his newest project and it looks to be a winner. Good luck!

A true experience prompted Linda to write what she does best, Life Experiences. Exercise class is not her favorite pastime. Upon arriving, with hubby, at the gym she discovers her ID card will not work. She makes a trip to the administration office and finds out the card is out of date, they changed the system about 6 or 7 months back. Has it been that long? Oh well, after getting her new card and working out, she discovers the picture on the ID is not her. Or is it? Let's look for this story in a publication in the future, it's title; Saving Face.

Peter continued with the theme Bill began with, a Simple Assembly of Ideas. 1. A physical exam involving complicated machinery and much noise prompted an idea he uses in a story he is developing. 
2. A remembrance, not of the past but of the present, leaves the reader with and eerie feeling. 
3. A dead lizard in the house provokes thoughts of life and the way we as humans rank its importance. 
4. Encounters with nature in Africa spawn thoughts of many things, how do you feel when coming on a Croc in your path while strolling beside the river? What do you think about while walking in a forest which feel the effects of first frost? A dog, his master, do you meet them on your journey?

No Such Word as Can't, is a story Lois wrote about a young girl without legs who becomes an accomplished gymnast because she idolizes an Olympic gymnast. Several years later, she discovers, her idol is also her sister.

How the Spoonbill Became Pink, is an improbable story wrenched from the warped imagination of Ian. Using a sparsely recognized religion, Pastafarian, He tells the tale of The Flying Spaghetti Monster. After imbibing in an enormous amount of intoxicant, The FSM creates a new world. Upon sobering up, he sends his nephew, Hiram, to see how the world is doing. Hiram disobeys and makes changes. Look for this story to find out what happens, it's worth it.

George, a first-time reader, shared his version of free verse poems similar to The Spoon River Anthology fare. A Vietnam Vet’s eulogy and his Grandpa’s story showed real promise and were worthy of the original publication.

We ran out of time as the meeting drew to a close and Doug did not get to read, he will lead off the next meeting’s reading segment.

Until next time, 
Keep on Writing!

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