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

Friday, December 07, 2018

December 5th, 2018

Attended by 11 members, our next-to-last business meeting for 2018 was a lot of fun. Our next meeting, December 19th, 2018, will be our annual Holiday party. Those attending are asked to bring a dish, snack, or goodie in a container to be left with any leftovers for the members of the Nokomis Fire Department. We encourage each attendee to bring a Holiday story, humorous or otherwise. We'll see you there.

We do not charge dues for our group, but we do ask for donations to the Fire Department. We do this semiannually in appreciation to the department for allowing us to use their facility. 
THANK YOU, NOKOMIS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT 

Our meeting began with a discussion, a definition or clarification. I asked the group if anyone can give me a definition for “Creative Non-Fiction”. I looked it up on the internet and found maybe twenty different things, last night, with 11 members in attendance, I got at least 15 different answers. A number of us had more than one definition. What about you? What is your definition of “Creative Non-Fiction”?

I asked for questions from the floor and Jim asked for opinions on how to develop a character as time progresses in a novel. As he is writing a novel, based on the life of a real person (a Union General), he wants to be as accurate as possible while maintaining the writer’s license to speculate as to conversations and thoughts not recorded in history.

After a lively discussion resulting in numerous ideas and suggestions being proffered, we moved on to the reading part of our meeting.

Ernie Ovitz led us off with a selection from his historical novel centered around Emperor Constantine. Spies, a severely ill Emperor, and an influential Bishop all bring a hint of intrigue to the story. We look forward to the next reading.

A Union General is “severely wounded but not mortally” as Jim Kelly’s saga of Winfield Scott Hancock continues. The wounded officer is shot off his horse and lays on the ground unable to rise. Pulling himself up on his elbows, he directs troop movement and is instrumental in stopping the Confederate attack. Recovering from his wounds in hospital and home, he can’t wait to join his troops in pursuing General Lee.

Private Detective Yale Larson tracks a killer who could be the owner of a speedboat on Siesta Key in Doug Sahlin’s revived work. Doug pulled the work off the shelf now that he’s complete some other projects. In his typical rapid-fire dialog style, Larson interviews a somewhat… "unorthodox" individual whose relationship with a Rock Star and possible substance abuse sets them up as persons of interest in this case.

Debbie MacAvoy asked for input as to writing about a confrontation between two men. A teenage boy and a fifty-something hired hand have a confrontation and afterward reconcile when misconceptions are cleared up. Debbie asked for help in seeing things from a male perspective and received comments from all male members present.

Ian Schagan brought us a Sci-Fi piece, part of his newest novel, about star travel with a goal to colonize planets. Intrigue and ideological differences show their faces in this thrilling outer space thriller.

Well, another entry must end. Until next time, KEEP ON WRITING.

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