I’m back! I apologize for missing the last meeting in August. As many of you may know, I recently moved into a different home. What a frigging hassle! Well, anyway, I have a lot of little chores to do to make the new abode our home. I was engaged in a nasty little project on Wednesday past when something prompted me to look at the clock. OOPS! The old analog clock had both hands pointed straight down at the six. The meeting was supposed to start, and here I was, drenched in sweat, dirty, and still at home, nearly thirty minutes away from the firehouse. Forgive me, please, but I said something like, “Gosh Darn it,” and I finished my project knowing it’s better to ask for forgiveness than show up in my condition.
You all survived without my presence; I’m sure some of you may have preferred it that way.
Due to my lack of preparedness, tonight’s agenda is set by our capable co-leader, Ernie Ovitz.
HOW TO USE AI EFFECTIVELY
The use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) is becoming more common. Unfortunately, many users feel it is appropriate to let AI do the work of writing rather than use it to verify facts and root out falsehoods. A podcast featuring Bryan Reynolds interviewing Brian Govatos, a trainer/manager with Microsoft, offering valuable insights on leveraging AI in research and business.
1. Please send Ernie an email if you wish to participate in a program sponsored by Sarasota County Libraries on November 1st, 2025, at the downtown Selby Library. This is a book fair where you will have an opportunity to meet with readers, sell your books, and advertise your products.
2. Send both Rod and Ernie suggested topics for discussion at future meetings. I suggest you send it to both of us, as sometimes emails get lost for many reasons, but in my case, it may possibly be a case of an old man screwing up. I’d like to blame it on my grand-kids, but that’s not always the case.
Our next meeting is September 17th at the Nokomis Fire House, beginning at 6:30 PM and going through approximately 9:00 PM. We will be discussing the topic:
HOW DO YOU HANDLE CRITICISM?
Think about it – You’re a writer, you’ve written a story you hope to publish. It’s Wednesday evening, and you’re standing before a group of fellow writers. You’ve just finished reading the first three pages of Chapter One. You wait, Oh Lord, what if they think it stinks, you think. Then the first of the published writers speaks… WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Of the ten writers in attendance, nine of them had work to share with us.
Leading off our readers this evening was Dennis Cathcart. Impressed by fellow author Scott Anderson, Dennis took a stab at writing Haiku, the traditional form of Japanese poetry. (A haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry that consists of 17 syllables arranged in three lines with a structure of 5-7-5. Haiku often focus on themes related to nature and specific seasons, capturing a moment in time or an emotion. In English, haiku may appear in three lines, and they have been influenced by various poetic movements, particularly the Imagists in the early 20th century.) Dennis's seven verses were commendable, and he says he’ll try again with an effort to do a better job next time. I don’t have enough courage to make such a fine attempt the first time.
It was only apprapos that Scott Anderson follow Dennis to the podium. Scott, continuing in his quest to write 400 Haiku in a year, brought us nine more, along with a communication from an editor at a well-known Haiku publication. Scott writes in a traditional Japanese style of Haiku. It is becoming more in vogue to westernize the Haiku, falling away from its original form and design. Scott is delving into the Western style as he remains steadfast in his quest.
Early in the evening, while discussing the proper use of AI, an article in a newspaper pointed out the advancements made in producing humanoid robots. A picture of a young Asian woman who was purportedly a humanoid robot appeared; was she or wasn’t she? The Sci-fi story, Nadia, written by Bruce Haedrich, seems to be coming true. Tonight, Bruce read chapters 27 and 28 for us. Christopher and Nadia are traveling east from New Mexico. In a diner in Kansas or maybe Missouri, they are confronted by two ‘Centurions,’ (Humanoids used by the Federal Government to enforce laws). Chris destroyed both robots and, in doing so, became a fugitive. However, as they were in the heartland of the United States, the citizenry applauded the act instead of turning them in; they guided them to a safe haven. We look forward to each chapter as Bruce presents his story. What will happen next?
Reading for the first time, Michael Schlesinger shared the first chapter of a story yet to be named. After 32 years of marriage, the husband has chosen to take a leave of absence from his wife and home to hole up in a cabin in the Colorado mountains. It is his goal to write a novel, or at least a story. He has not been able to accomplish the task within the confines of his home and family. The first scenes are tense and believable as Michael reads. Several listeners came to similar conclusions and advised Michael to turn his first chapter into several chapters, positioning them later in the novel, maybe even using flashbacks to introduce the subject matter and help build tension. Michael’s prose and writing skills show an ability waiting to be unleashed. Keep on writing, Michael.
Roberta Molaro took center stage with “a little poetry.” The poem, designed to stimulate children, creates the image of a leaf swept along in a roadside current of rushing rainwater. One can only imagine being a child once again and dreaming of sailing the ocean on a green boat as we move toward great adventures.
We welcome poems from Don Westerfield. As each meeting ends and I start writing this blog, the pages of Don’s poems bring me great joy. Flight of Fancy fills me with a feeling of wonder. Don’s words convey the feeling of flight in the waning evening as stars begin to fill the night sky, and we return to the ground. As Sonnet to Youth filled the air, one could feel the disappointment of untapped opportunity and unrequited love.
James Kelly is working on another book in the saga of the MacKenzie family. In this book, Advance the Line, World War I looms on the horizon as the young MacKenzie boys attend Norwalk Military College. Jim is rewriting much of his first chapters to reflect the emotions of his characters. His action scenes are vivid and accurate, but he feels he needs to work on the emotional aspect of his characters.
Rod Digruttolo stepped up with a newly minted vignette about fishing in the waters around Sarasota, Florida. The piece was a rough draft that had been started years earlier and left unfinished. While reading it tonight, several glaring errors came to light. He’ll fix it and present it at the next meeting with corrections.
Well, that’s about all for tonight. As noted earlier, our next meeting is September 17th at the Nokomis Fire House, beginning at 6:30 PM and going through approximately 9:00 PM. You are invited to visit us and see what we are all about. Until then, READ, Read, and read some more, then WRITE, Write, and write some more.
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