Lemon Bay sparkles with the sun’s reflections. There was a breeze, and six writers sat under the pavilion along the shore. For the six able to attend, it was great to see each other again after a long year.
We almost didn’t connect, as the park is large enough and we missed each other at first. Linda Ovitz saved the day when she spied Peter Frickel and Dennis Cathcart. She told them Jim Kelly (of Venice) and Ernie Ovitz had claimed a table under a waterfront pavilion. Scott Anderson and Ann Moore soon joined us. Our group’s meeting leader, Rod DiGruttolo, couldn’t be here as he’s under the weather with a cold. We all hope he’s feeling better soon. We enjoyed an informal chat before getting down to our readings and discussion.
Jim Kelly arrived first and had the honors to read first. Jim began the saga with a historical novel based on the life of the Civil War Union General Winfield Scott Hancock. It continues following one of Hancock’s officers and his son. Their experiences during America’s westward expansion deals with the clash between white settlers and the native people. It’s a work-in-progress, and he is seeking to portray both points of view. From the native perspective, the land was and is sacred. For the whites, it was something to be seized, possessed, and exploited. To better frame his story, he revised his working title, calling it “The Sacred Land.” Today, he read his book’s introduction to the group. In the lively discussion which followed, Jim was challenged with how we faithfully portray a point-of-view from the culture and people, not our own. There was no clear answer, other than the old stand-by: research, empathy, imagination, and seeking the advice, if possible, from someone in those other shoes, or moccasins in this case.
Peter Frickel shared his observations on the simple act of entering a door. He noted the multitude of random thoughts and observations which might come to mind as we approach and enter a place: the people we see, the impressions and memories they trigger, prejudices, passion, and dismissals. What of things that happened long ago, or something immediate that catches the eye; things that fill the senses. He challenges us to fill our page. Peter read two pieces: The first, he titled, A Monk in Greece. It began, “He could never have imagined her ...” She was a mermaid. His companions found him on the rocks by the sea and deemed him a sainted man. Next came the Vixen Pub, a lost letter found, and remembered horrors of the Great War. Peter has so many beautiful stories; we look forward to hearing more.
Scott Anderson shared the news of the pending publication of his butterfly research in Sarasota County. The leading professional journal has agreed to publish his work as an 85-page book distributed to all its subscribers. Scott remarked on the fantastic access he has gained to professors world-wide due to his research and how he’s had the opportunity through Zoom to connect with them. Scott read the introduction to his book. Therein lie memories of childhood summers, boyhood games, and chasing butterflies. Well done, Scott.
Scott also shared a tip for those of us contemplating using maps in our work, recommending My Maps by Google. He encourages those interested to check out the free-use provisions of the service. It allows for free use in publications provided the proper attributions are made (be sure and verify for yourself–read their rules!) Congratulations, Scott.
Ann Moore shared the news of her new project. It is ambitious and has been her dream for many years. Her goal: Write about the lives of seventy women around the world in their seventieth year. She plans to travel and hopes to meet, share, and look for those universal things they have in common. She gained the support of a group that encourages her to proceed and offers her help with the project.
Dennis Cathcart’s memoir is with an editor, but he continues to research, reflect, and test his memory. In doing so, he has found changes he plans to make. He shared his recollections and his follow-up concerning a friend and colorful companion in his past adventures. Dennis relates exciting stories of his experiences in building a business of locating, harvesting, and selling exotic animals, reptiles, and plants. His adventures include being stranded on a desert island. Today he shared his desire to check and verify, if possible, his recollections of a deceased military friend. He finally found a lead, who connected him to the man’s son. His persistence, and a little luck, resulted in new information about his friend requiring a revision of the sequence of events they experienced together.
As a wrap-up, Ernie Ovitz read a re-write to a scene in a four-year-old novel manuscript. His first in a novel trilogy on the life of the Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great. He read an excerpt from the scene as written four years ago, and the re-write now. He received some kind comments from his fellow group members.
The vote was unanimous; let’s do this again, same time, same place, third Wednesday of January 2021, (the 20th,). The group will continue with a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 PM. Due to the Christmas holiday, there will be only one meeting in December.
January 6th, will be our first Wednesday evening Zoom meeting of 2021. We will meet on the afternoon of the 20th, in the park on Lemon Bay. Have a great and safe holiday season, and keep on writing.
For the group, Ernie Ovitz
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