Meeting minutes October 19 2023 and Group revamp

 Hi All,

So this group has struggled greatly since the onset of Covid in 2020.  After much soul searching and discussion among our core members we have decided to move forward with some changes to our meeting structure. Looking to entice new members and revitalize our base.   

October meeting attendees: Nancy, Heather, Don, Eileen, Ev, Michelle and new member from Canada Vicky. 

Becky could not attend so Michelle lead the group.  The focus of our discussion was how the group might move forward.  A number of changes were suggested and will be tweaked in successive meetings.  Michelle shared Becky's impute on her behalf.  The following ideas/practices were favorably received:

Newsletter: Becky and Michelle will assemble and email a newsletter containing contests, resources, seminara etc, the week before each monthly meeting.  The form of the newsletter is to be determined, possibly a calendar format.  A few printed copies will be made available at the library (logistics to be determined)  The purpose: to allow more time during meetings to discuss writing, critique each other's work etc.  

A meeting reminder will be included in the newsletter.

Writing prompts: in an effort to get people writing actively, and to stretch our creative muscles, a regular writing prompt will be set at the end of each meeting.  Members will have a month to respond to the prompt and hopefully share their interpretations at the next meeting. A reminder will be included in the newsletter.  If the prompt does not inspire a member, then sharing a piece of their current WIP (work in progress) is encouraged.  As always, healthy constructive feedback will be offered if the member asks.  Prompts will range in topic.  It was suggested that certain formats might be suggested to encourage members to think outside of their comfort zones ie: a piece written entirely as dialogue, descriptive writing or poetry.  A possible alternative is to spend a few minutes during the occasional meeting free writing to a prompt.

More routine meeting activities resumed after the above discussion.  

Resources

Eileen recommended the online writing workshops offered by the Burlington Writer's Workshop. This website is a fantastic resource for all types of writers and formats of writing.  Find more information about the specific group recced by Eileen HERE.

Recommended

Nancy recommended "Up North" by Neal Zirn "Up North, in a series of poems, looks back at the author's experience of living in the North Country, close to the Canadian border. It speaks to family, relationships, single life, and rural living. It is, at times, emotional, humorous, and insightful regarding human nature."

Ev read "The Bone Saw".  A story about a sentient surgical robot.  Had us all cringing and laughing.  Definitely had the Halloween vibe with distressing notes about where we are going in regards to AI and society.  Yikes!

Writing Prompt: The writing prompt for November is the changing of the seasons and what that means to you.  Share a tradition, how you feel as we enter 'stick season', otherwise known as naked trees.  A poem, a short story, an essay?  Bring something to share and promote discussion. 

Next meeting is Thursday November 16th. 6 pm at the Swanton Library.  

Meeting Minutes October 15, 2020

Seven group members met over zoom from 6-7:15 pm.

Contests and Challenges

Something or Other Publishing Short Story Contest. Link found HERE Decription: Short stories, short non-fiction, and flash fiction all eligible. First prize $250. Qualified stories will be included in an anthology. Qualification involves votes by readers - when you submit, they’ll send you a voting page link so that you can shamelessly solicit votes. (So if you enter, be sure to let us all know.) The deadline is midnight on October 31, but looks like the sooner, the better, for vote-gathering purposes. They’ll announce the winners on November 3. At the website, also check under “Publish” for info on submitting a book, story, or anthology idea.

Nanowrimo Info found HERE Begins again this year on November 1. The challenge is to write a novel in a month, with lots of encouraging backup at the website. There’s also a Young Writers version of Nanowrimo that requires less writing – could be a fun project to share with kids.

Workshops

League of Vermont Writers
They don’t have much going on right now, but if you go to “Gatherings” and check under “Workshops,” they’re open for suggestions for workshops. So if you’d like to host a workshop or know someone who might, take a look. Could be a virtual program.

Articles

“How Can We Pay for Creativity in the Digital Age?” For artists, writers, and musicians - how to make a living? Link found HERE

Readers:

Ev Larson read “Albany,” a deadpan, but hilarious, account of attempting to renew a driver’s license in the age of Covid-19.

Michelle Willard read her now titled horror short story "The Breeze of Autumn" which ended in a cemetery. She has been recruited to enter the Swanton Library’s Scary Stories project.

Emmet Matthieu has finished the first draft of his sci-fi novel; read the opening paragraphs of his untitled new project, in which main character Benito Alvarez is about to be framed for murder and will end up fighting for his life.

Discussion:

We’ve got a member hip of 25 or so, of whom very few routinely join the current Zoom meetings. These really are fun and effective - and it’s very simple to join in. If anybody needs help, just contact Becky. She will talk you through the process.

We kicked around possibilities of partial in-person/Zoom meetings at the Swanton Public Library. Due to safety and social distancing requirements, we’d have to limit attendance. Judy suggested charging a minimal fee for in-person slots, Michelle suggested the money be used to fund a prize for a Writers Group contest. (What does everybody think?)

Meetings have moved to the third Thursday of the month starting in November. Meeting date over zoom will be Thursday, November 19th at 6 pm. Becky will email the link a couple days in advance.

Meeting Minutes October 10, 2019

First meeting on our official day (second Thursday of each month) Meeting commenced at 6:05.  Small but lively group this evening! 

Exhibitions

The Swanton Arts Council's next installment of "Emotion Speaks." will be held in early 2020.  8 x 8 canvases will be available in November. The cost is $10, entry forms and canvases will be available at the Swanton Library. Keep an eye on the SAC website for more details.  The word for this exhibition is "Bliss"http://www.swantonartscouncil.org/

Due to funding cutbacks, Northwest Access TV is no longer available to film many community events - which may put the kibosh on the Ghost Read. Becky is investigating alternatives.

Writing tips 

1. Keep a parallel document open when writing/revising your work.  Keep cut prose/dialogue etc on this document.  It might be useful later in the work or in another work.

2. Keep a research document containing character points, settings, plot points for your own purposes.  As the author you will always know more and need to know more than your reader about your work/characters. 

Discussion

The group's lively discussion about writers/books that have influenced us as writers was great - covering everyone from James Thurber to T.E. Lawrence, Nora Roberts, Walter Farley, Stephen King, Anne McCaffrey, Bob Dylan, and Virginia Woolf.  Several books were recommended by members both for pleasure and instruction purposes. Scott also recommended 2 podcasts pertaining to the life of Bob Dylan.  "Bob Dylan Primer" and "Is it Rolling Bob". Check spotify among other sources. 

Book Reccs:

"Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T. E. Lawrence. 

"The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner

"How Rory Thorn Destroyed the Multiverse" by K Eason. YA fiction. Book One in The Thorn Chronicles.

"This is Not a Novel" by David Markson

"To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf

"The Black Stallion" series by Walter Farley YA fiction

"The Dragonriders of Pern" series by Anne McCaffrey

Next meeting: November 14th, 6 pm, Swanton Public Library

Meeting Minutes October 18th, 2018

Our meeting commenced at 6 pm without our fearless leader.  Missed you Becky!

We discussed upcoming workshops, contests and exhibitions, details below.  Three members shared their work. Barbara read a chapter from her modern fantasy novel, Richard read a short story titled "The Truth of It" and Michelle read her upcoming entry for the Green Mountain Power contest. Our meeting concluded at 7 pm

Contests

We have a slew of contests with deadlines ranging from October 30th to March 1st 2019.  Please keep an eye on our Facebook PAGE for regular updates.  Here is just a partial list. Follow the links provided for detailed information.  Happy writing!

1. Columbia College Literary Review Editor's Prize. Deadline December 1st.  Details found HERE
2. Wild Proton. Deadline November 1st. Details found HERE
3. ShortFiction.com. Deadline October 30th. Details found HERE
4.  Fiddlehead story and poem contest. Deadline. December 3rd. Details to be found HERE
5. The Birdy Poetry Prize by Meadowlark books. Deadline December 1st. Details found HERE
6. Vermont Writer's Prize co-sponsored by Green Mountain Power and Vermont Magazine. Deadline November 1st. Details found HERE
7. Hunger Mountain. Deadline March 1st. Details found HERE 

NANOWRIMO! November is national writing month.  Are you brave enough to try and write a novel in a month? If you dare then find details HERE.  Good luck!

Great Christmas Read

Looking for volunteers to read a holiday/Christmas-themed book to be shown on NW Access TV in December. (It’s easy – you sit in a chair and read. Out loud.)
Anybody got a favorite – or what about an original Christmas story? We’ll be filming in November. Contact Becky
Exhibitions

The deadline to submit your art/writing to the Emotion Speaks "Anxiety" is October 26th. There will be an open house for the exhibition on Friday, November 9th at the Swanton Library. Details HERE

Workshops

Write Your First Novel (Workshop with JP Choquette). The deadline for registration is November 1st. Swanton Writer's Group members get a $5 discount. Details found HERE

Local citizens and business owners in conjunction with SAC are proposing the formation of 2 groups. An Entrepreneur group which will likely meet for breakfast, and a Faith Based artist group. Plans are tentative at this time. The hope is to have something in place by late December or early January. More details when available.

Book Recommendation

Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body by Martin Pistorius.

....Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. In these pages, readers see a parent’s resilience, the consequences of misdiagnosis, abuse at the hands of cruel caretakers, and the unthinkable duration of Martin’s mental alertness betrayed by his lifeless body.

We also see a life reclaimed—a business created, a new love kindled—all from a wheelchair. Martin's emergence from his own darkness invites us to celebrate our own lives and fight for a better life for others.

Our next meeting will be on November 15th at 6 pm at the Swanton Library.