Meeting Recap

Sorry to post this a few days late, but well, an after-meeting trip to Wallabee's, a one day jaunt to Pennsylvania, and two shows Saturday night left me with time today to write... That said, my excitement for last Thursday's meeting was justified. We welcomed three new members -- Ann Marie, Cynthia, and Carol Gregson, who published the memoir "Leaky Boots" several years ago. They contributed critiques right out of the gate -- especially Ann Marie -- and now, having attended one meeting, are eligible to start submitting. I hope they do. Always love to see what the newbies contribute.

As for the critiques themselves, Sandy got worked up over the conclusion of her play, "Is This the Future of Washington County?", a rather bleak look at dairy farming prospects in the North Country. The group proposed ways to get its message out there. We actually read the parts out loud, like high-school English class, something the group has only done twice before. It was fun, and gave the play more depth and feeling. (Just remember, works are meant to be read silently, and should therefore be edited that way -- unless you're writing picture books, a play, and some poetry -- the three p's.)

We covered chapter one of Kay's new murder-mystery, which she then resubmitted with a new beginning. While an unusual move, I like any writer willing to tear their work up and start over. We always hear about treating the written words with a certain sanctity, but really, no writer should.

Michelle read her two poems, with individual members of the group picking their favorite and offering some surprising advice. We have a better understanding of poetry than I imagined.

Finally, Joe read an uncritiqued piece at the end of the meeting about the farmhouse where he grew up and still lives. Again, outside protocol, but we had the time at the end to oblige him. Which brings me a problem that needs to be addressed.

Submissions. While we had several submissions to cover this past week, it wasn't enough to fill the two-hour slot. And next month will be worse. Only diligent Zack submitted a chapter to be critiqued, and that's from a novel that's already done. We have to start writing more. Perhaps our newcomers will help. I certainly have to start doing my part!

See some of you next month, Dec. 17 at 7pm.