November 20, 2019

Rod is still in Louisiana, and Ernie led the meeting. Eleven members attended. Writers are a loquacious bunch when they get together. Our group is for sure. We begin gathering at the Nokomis fire station before six and by six-thirty, the conversations were in full swing. Rod's big booming voice of command can override the chatter to call the group to order with the words “GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY” but in his absence, it took Ernie a couple of attempts. In any event, approximately 6:30 pm we called the meeting to order. The first order of business was to welcome back Ian Schagen of Great Britain. Ian has published his book recounting his father’s World War II escape from the Nazis and his experiences following the path of his father’s escape route. Ian's return is most welcome.

Peter Frickel was our first reader. He shared his thoughts on the power of a single line to inspire the writer. Some of his examples were:
“Saliva heavy with hunger … the lion.”
“Wind … a blade of grass bows to royalty.”
“Truth … is strongest sometimes between the sheets.”
The group responded to Peter’s examples with enthusiasm. The idea that a line triggers the writer’s imagination and takes on a life of its own led to the proposal for a group challenge. In 35 words or less, take a line and write, creating an image, a poem, the seeds of a story, or to dramatize a situation. We asked Peter for the line, and he has one for our challenge: “Stay low, don’t fight.” Given the December holidays, we have set the challenge date for our first meeting in January, Wednesday, January 8th. (We will be meeting the 2nd, and 4th Wednesday this coming January as our first Wednesday falls on New Year’s Day.) We have our first meeting
in January to look forward to, and we will be listening to where Peter’s line leads each of us.

Bruce Haedrich read next from his Hadley Pennsylvania Stories. He read excerpts from Promontory Castle, a classic tale of knights and kings written in iambic pentameter. The group enjoyed the reading and admired Bruce’s use of the classical form. Thank
you, Bruce. 

Scott Anderson treated us to five of his poems: Partings, Poet Burning, Little Kisses, The Garden, and The Duke of Mantua. Thank you, Scott.

Tish McAuley continued with her memoir. In her straight forward prose, we learned more about her life growing up with an abusive and alcoholic father, a Lt. Col. in the Air Force. She describes him as a man with two faces: a man much admired as an officer and leader of airmen who lived another life at home Acknowledging his wartime experience may have had something to do with demons he faced, she has no knowledge of what they were. It was the1960’s, an era when you didn’t talk about tough stuff or family dysfunction. Her parents moved to Orlando to be closer to her mother’s family living in Sarasota. Fighting, which was common in her home, eventually led to her father’s departure. The trauma left her mother even more dysfunctional. Her grandparents tried to help, with little success. Tish and her two siblings were left to raise themselves. That she can recount such traumatic experiences with grace and calm clarity inspired the group, and we encourage her to continue. Thank you, Tish.

Jeff Kutcher read more from his biographical novel of his friend and Cuban refugee, Amaury, continuing with the story of Amaury’s father, Nury. Amaury’s natural curiosity was irrepressible. Life in Castro’s Cuba was and is hard. However, it was less so for the family of one of Castro’s generals. Nury advised Amaury not to question their way of life. By nature, it was something Amaury could not do. Jeff reminds us all with his story how fortunate we all are with the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you, Jeff.

Dennis Cathcart brightened the mood with a whimsical piece he had from his file, opining upon the conditions of seasoned citizenship, The Old Gray Matter Ain’t What it Used to Be. What a hoot, and for those of us who know, how true. Great job, Dennis.

Susan Haley revisited her poem Alaska is Sinking after the group had given her some suggestions from her previous reading. In good humor, she confessed that she is a passionate environmentalist. We all agree with taking care of our good earth and Susan's words remind us of how precious it is. Her poem ends on an upbeat note, the earth will survive. Keeping things friendly, on the political side, as to man’s influence on climate we will leave to another forum. Thank you, Susan.

Ian Schagen, our British guest, did not shrink from the political side as he read a piece offering his ideas on American governance. Titled The Fickel Finger of Faith, Ian read an imaginary story of Charity, a woman selected from a random sample of the population to be President of the United States. He proposes our Constitution be amended to provide for political offices to be filled from a computerized random sample of the population. A professional statistician, Ian says the proposition is based upon his work and his belief a random and representative sample of the population could do a better job of governing than elected representatives. Revealing his own political preferences, he would have the random sample government enact the full lunch box, including universal health care and all the rest. The group kept it friendly, but more than one let it be known, we like our Constitution in its current form, thank you very much. Still, the story was good and this is the United States of America where all are invited to put forth their ideas. Welcome back, Ian.

Jim Kelly announced the publication of his two-volume work on the life of Civil War Union General Winfield Scott Hancock: I Am a Soldier First and Always, Vol. 1 –Rebellion and Vol. 2 – Turning Point. Jim read from a poignant scene of Hancock’s last days. Thank you, Jim. It has been great fun to see and hear one of our group’s members take his work from "first draft" to "finished product." You remind us all that with persistence it can be done.

Wrapping up the meeting, Ernie Ovitz read the conclusion of his apocalyptic short story, The Rock. In the final scene, it is disclosed,  a traitor has revealed the identities of the four horsemen and those in their movement to the government. They are wanted men and women and must warn their followers to go underground. The
Church is being persecuted, and like the ancient Church must preserver in the trial to come. From the Rock at the Four Corners of the county, Michael, their leader, sends the horsemen east, west, north, and south, to warn their followers. The government effort is being led by a man that Michael knows well, a dark figure from Michael’s past, Sam Beal. When asked what he's going to do.
Michael replies, "I have a date with the Devil in New York City."

Thanks again to all our writers. We are looking forward to our December meetings on Wednesdays, the 4th and 18th. December 18th will be our Christmas meeting. We encourage all who which to join us to bring a holiday treat to share. Not to worry, our
firemen friends will be happy to take care of any food we leave behind. Our December 18th meeting will be one that we present our groups thank you's and contributions to the firemen’s fund. We will take up voluntary collections during both December meetings. Hope to see you all there. 

Until then, keep on writing.

P.S. Winter has come early up north, and Season is here. Take care on the roads, it's a little crazy out there sometimes. When you are safely home or having a cup of coffee at your favorite shop, pick up your pen, and take up our challenge. January is just around the corner.

November 6, 2019

Meeting of the Sarasota Writers Group

Rod is in Louisiana and unable to attend the last couple of meetings so, Ernie Ovitz led the meeting, and we counted eighteen members in attendance. 

We began with exciting news from three of our members:
Doug Sahlin announced the publication of three of his Yale Larson PI mysteries, and the group got to see a copy of his finished work The Myakka Murders. 

James Harold Kelly, Jim to the group, announced the pending publication of his two-volume work on the life of a Civil War hero, Union General Winfield Scott Hancock; I Am a Soldier First and Always, Vol. 1 – Rebellion and Vol. 2 – Turning Point.  Jim had proofs of the book to show. We will look forward to seeing the final published editions.

Parker Converse announced the publication of Maelstrom, parts 1, 2 and 3, his stories of modern-day life at sea.

Congratulations to Doug, Jim, and Parker. Look for their work on Amazon.com.

With ten readers in the wings, we moved on to the reading portion of our meeting.

Tish McAuley has been attending meetings for some time. She's shared that she had a troubled childhood and had many issues to overcome in her life. Tonight the group applauded her as she shared the beginning of her memoir. In beautiful straight forward prose, she relays early memories of living through the fear and pain of abuse from her father, a military officer. It was tough to listen too, and we know tougher for Tish to write. It was well done, and the group urged her not to change a word. A great beginning Tish, we look forward to hearing more.

Peter Frickel has been sharing work that puts a voice to inanimate objects. Tonight he brought a Paris Café to life recounting events from the end of World War I through the Nazi occupation in WWII. Thank you, Peter.

Dennis Cathcart read from his extensive memoir as he has traveled the world in search of exotic reptiles and plants. In this instance, he recounts his first visit to the island of Haiti. It was during the dictatorship of the infamous Papa Doc. Dennis recounts visiting Haiti’s Iron Market and witnessing the extreme poverty islanders lived in. His tail of travel and collecting snakes was brought to a climax with a stop by a policeman looking for a bribe. Dennis’s companion brazenly told the officer that the snakes were for Papa Doc’s zoo. The man let them through, and they got off the island before anyone was the wiser. What amazing stories Dennis has to tell.

Jeffery Kutcher left off last time in the biographical novel of his friend and Cuban refugee, Amaury with the story of Amaury’s father, Nury. Nury came of age under the brutal dictator Batista but as he matured, he became a devotee of Castro. In his last reading, Nury found Castro and his band of rebels in the Sierra Maestra mountains and was accepted into his band. The story continues as Nury proves himself and ultimately gets to meet the man, Fidel Castro. The contrast Jeffery draws between the father, a Castro devotee, and the son, the refugee, paints a stark picture of the seductive promise of liberation through Communism and the grim reality of life under Castro’s boot. Well done Jeffery.

Mary Shaffer brought us an apocalyptic piece in which the world has become one of unending rain. We learn of a family on the move struggling to survive, they find an unoccupied house and break in to find it untouched, as if the owners had just walked out the door. Her story intrigued the group, and we urged Mary to press on.

Parker Converse shared an excerpt from his new work about Gabriella, a shrimp boat captain in a line of work almost exclusive to men. She is a colorful character who tells it like it is. Parker, we are looking forward to hearing more.

Bruce Haedrich changed up the pace with an essay remembering The Song. He argued that his generation, the silent one, men and women born between 1925 and 1945 who came of age between the World War II generation and the Baby Boomers, was the one that brought the world happy music. He took us down memory lane remember all those great old upbeat tunes of the 50’s and early 60’s. Punctuated by the “Day the Music Died,” Feb. 3rd, 1959 and the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, The Big Bopper. Bruce had us reminiscing over all those favorite songs. Thank you, Bruce.

As chance would have it, Don Westerfield followed the musical theme with his poem, Play Those Old Songs. A reading the group unanimously enjoyed, thank you, Don.

Scott Anderson continued the poetic theme with three of his poems: If Butterflies Could Speak, Small Places, and In Pencil Written. Scott has given the group a renewed appreciation for our poets. Thank you, Scott.

Ed Ellis read Brown Leather Gloves, his first-person account of a boxing match between a sailor and a marine. The sailor works himself into a high rage to fight the match. Ed being a Navy man, you can guess who won. After the match his trainer works to dissipate the rage. The sailor and the marine meet and the two combatants embrace, respect given, respect earned, respect received. When big Ed was asked if he was writing from experience, he grinned and said maybe. Well done, Ed, and thank you for your service.

Barb Marvin returned and shared Chapter 2 of her new mystery to conclude our evening. She introduced her character Willa Dupree, a teacher eager to help her students. Willa’s past work as a police detective sets her apart from her academic colleagues. One of her students, Asher, a new police officer is asking for help. Where will this lead. Barb, the group is eager to know.

Thanks again to all our readers, and to all who attended and shared their observations and helpful critiques. “Writers Helping Writers,” that’s what we are here for. Next meeting November 20th, until then, keep on writing.