Group Minutes 1-10-2012

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Minutes from 1-10-12 Meeting

Attendance: Doug, Keith, Adam Delia, Cathy, Ryan, P.J., Patrick, Jane, Patricia, Ann, Dominic, Bob, Melissa, Rick, Olivia, Wendy, Holly

I. Critique:

This month we critiqued two submissions. The first was Cathy’s Redemption. The group had mixed reactions concerning jumping time periods and point of view. Some felt they were fine, while others suggested writing short chapters for different points of view. Consensus: we’re all looking forward to the next chapter.

Doug’s Caravan City was next. A longer piece, Doug was more interested in an overall critique, as he would like to send it off as is for publishing, but left room to extend it into a full-blown novel. Great job, Doug, and good luck!

Discussion began on sending one’s work out to secure an agent vs. self-publishing. Several of our authors who have self-published gave their view points. Everyone was in agreement that the important thing was to keep on writing!

II. Other Business:

If you are interested in being a volunteer reader or would like to submit for the on-line Science Fiction journal for which Doug is editing, please contact Doug through the website. (the theme is communication, 75,000 words or less)

Cadavre Exquis, French for Exquisite Corpse, is a collection of words or images collectively assembled. PSWG is creating its own version titled “10 of Clubs”. If you are interested in joining in and writing a chapter, look on the website for the rules and conditions under the thread 10 of Clubs.

For Our Next Meeting on February 14, 2012 7-9 PM:

We will be critiquing submissions from Eric and Ryan. Bob is our alternate.

Hope to see you there!

Group Minutes 12-13-2011

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 01:50:00 +0000

Minutes from 12-13-11 Meeting

Attendance: Steve. Cathy, Shaun, Ann, Doug, Shawn, Adam, Keith, Delia, Melissa, Lori, Wendy

I. Critique:

Delia was first as we discussed her family’s story. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that we love the historical points, but want to hear the story told in her voice, which is beautiful and descriptive. There was a bit of discussion and some suggestions of how to include letters without losing the rhythm of the piece.

Shawn’s submission, which is loosely based on local history, spurred conversation on conflicts that can occur with changing events in the past, and if keeping to proper etiquette and traditions is important if that isn’t the main thrust of the story.

II. Other Business:

Doug is editing an on-line Science Fiction journal, and told us a little more about it. If anyone would like to be a volunteer reader of submissions, or if you’re a sci-fi writer and would like to submit 75,000 words or less with the theme of communication, contact Doug through the website.

For Our Next Meeting on January 10, 2012 7-9 PM:

Because of the number of people who attend the meeting, we’ve decided to concentrate on 2 submissions per month. Therefore, we’ve set aside room for Patricia, who was unable to attend the last meeting. Cathy will submit, and Doug is interested in hearing what people have to say about “Caravan City”. This is a longer than usual submission, but he’s interested in an overall critique, not a word-by-word critique.

We hope you can join us!

Steeltown Film Factory

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:40:00 +0000

Hello, Writers!

I just got an email from Steeltown Film Factory and wanted to pass the information along to you. It is in regrads to a local screenwriting contest. The deadline is the end of the year, but the contest is only for a twelve page screenplay. Interested? Check out the link... http://www.steeltownfilmfactory.org/

See you all Tuesday!

~Holly

Group Minutes 11-8-11

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Minutes from 11-8-11 Meeting

Attendance: Ann, Shaun, Keith, Doug, Eric, Shawn, Ryan, Adam, Patricia, Delia, Elliot, Holly, Wendy

I. Critique:

First was Adam’s “The Big G”, a religious satire. We’re looking forward to more – maybe picking up on the ending with a day in Vegas! Next, we read a new installment on Ann’s “Soul Mates”, which she thought was slow. We decided it wasn’t, and that she really nailed descriptions of smell and setting. Ryan’s new story has a philosophical bent that, as usual, had us clamoring for more. We’re all looking forward to more from these talented writers.

NaMoWriMo is in full swing, and those participating were wished good luck!

For Our Next Meeting on December 13, 2011, 7-9 PM:

This month we will read submissions from Delia, Patricia and Shawn. Hope to see you there!

Group Minutes 10-11-11

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:50:00 +0000

Minutes from 10-11-11 Meeting

Attendance: Ann, Shaun, Keith, Doug, Eric, P.J., Cathy, Maria, Joan, Shawn, Ryan, Adam, Patricia, Jim, Holly, Wendy

I. Critique:

No critique this month! Instead, we shared Halloween themed stories. We heard about stalker candy bars; candy corn killers; goblins, psychopaths (nice way to incorporate the names from our group, Shawn!); gray city days; zombies, Renaissance re-enactors; vampires, witches, and ghosts. A little prose, a little poetry, and great narration! Thanks to everyone who brought treats, too. What a fun way to spend October, and presented many of us with a challenge – we’re wordy, to say the least. The consensus of the group is to maybe do the same thing in the spring – more discussion will follow, I’m sure.

Welcome to our new members who came to the October meeting – we hope you won’t be “scared” away!

We also talked about a writing challenge posted on NaMoWriMo for November: as many words as possible in one month. Several of us have signed up – post your word count on the site, and good luck to everyone!

For Our Next Meeting on November 8, 2011, 7-9 PM:

We were concerned that since the 8th is election day, the library wouldn’t be open. IT IS! So, on the 8th we will critique submitted work from Adam, Ryan, and Ann. Please get your submissions to Holly, and we’ll see everyone there.

National Novel Writing Month

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:50:00 +0000

Thanks to everyone who joined and participated in October’s meeting! It was fantastic to share autumn stories about Candy Corn Killers, creepy Snickers (okay, really creepy), Trick-or-Treaters, Witches, Magic, surprising Vampires, ten inch turkey legs (awesome performance, Cathy!), and (er…) slightly misunderstood cheerleaders that just turned eighteen. Thanks to everyone who shared a story, listened, and brought in yummy treats. We had so much fun with this last meeting that we have decided to try for something creative again in the spring.

For those of you interested in a challenge now, Eric encourages you to BRING IT ON with National Novel Writing Month. I have set up a location in the forums, titled NaNoWriMo. If you are participating in NaNoWriMo, share your progress with others, encourage fellow PSWG members, and brag. It’s okay. You know you want to.

What is NaNoWriMo? Check out the link here… http://www.nanowrimo.org/

Good luck!

ALSO- Next month’s meeting will be held as planned on November 8th. See you soon!

Group Minutes 9-13-11

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:40:00 +0000

Minutes from 9-13-11 Meeting

Attendance: Ann, Shaun, Keith, Flo, Doug, Eric, P.J., Delia, Cathy, Elliot, Maria, Joan, Shawn, Holly, Wendy

I. Critique:

We started off critiquing Eric’s ‘Starjumpers’, a sci-fi story. We all agreed the auras and Eric’s description of them were awesome, and are eagerly awaiting a peek at the “hidden” chapter! This was Cathy’s first time sharing with us. The flow and juxtapositions in her book were very well received, and with the promise of help from a writing friend to connect her with an agent – well, that’s great, and we wish you the best of luck! We’re looking forward to reading more. Keith’s second installment of “The Power of Three” was a re-write of the first chapter, and all seemed to agree that it was definitely the way to go. Pronunciations of Irish names brought on a discussion of glossaries vs. footnotes, and several members mentioned other authors and their fix. One was “The Stolen Child” by Keith Donahue. Another was “Hounded” by Kevin Hearne, and Graham Joyce was also mentioned. All sound like good reads, too, if you want to check them out.

We also talked about a writing challenge posted on NaMoWriMo for November: as many words as possible in one month. Up for the challenge? Check it out – you might want to contact Eric for more info.

Doug shared info on an on-line writing workshop with James Glenn. If you’re interested, contact Doug for the URL.

For Our Next Meeting on October 11, 2011, 7-9 PM:

Autumn is in the air, bringing with it frosty nights, spiced treats, and the smell of bonfires. It also brings Halloween, and all things fun and scary. For our next meeting, bring something you’ve written, 1,000 words or less, with Halloween as the theme. It can be scary or fun; you don’t even have to mention the holiday at all! (Think of it as your inspiration – go from there!) We’ll take turns reading and discussing our work! Don’t send it to Holly – just bring it with you. Happy writing!

Group Minutes 8-9-11

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:05:00 +0000

Minutes from 8-9-11 Meeting

Attendance: Ann, Shaun, Keith, Flo, Doug, Eric, P.J., Delia, Jeanne, Cathy, Holly, Wendy

I. Critique:

This month we critiqued Wendy, Delia, and Doug. Wendy shared the first draft of a second book, meant to be a sequel to Virtuous Actions, and many great comments were given. Delia’s installment of her family story was intriguing, and full of wonderful description. She shared pictures of some of the people mentioned in the story. Everyone agreed that the neutral images with pops of color really worked in Doug’s Caravan City, a short sci-fi story.

Some of our members from the Greensburg area have formed a writer’s group called “The Caffeinated Quill” that meets at the Barnes and Noble café in Greensburg on the last Sunday of the month, at 1:00. All are invited to come.

Stuck for ideas? Is the blank page haunting you? Writingfix.com will provide you with monthly/weekly prompts, and you can sign-up as a teacher or a writer!

Do you know a web site that would be helpful to other writers? Post it on our blog!

Looking to self-publish? We’ve heard recently that Bookbaby, a competitor with Smashwords, is a must-see.

II. For Next Meeting on September 13, 2011, 7-9 PM:

1. We will read and critique work from Eric, Cathy, and Keith. You will be able to find their work under “Group Forums” on the left of your screen on the home page.

2. There is often plenty of time to share, so members should bring ideas, materials, and sources to the next meeting. See you then!

Group Minutes 7-12-11

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:27:00 +0000

Minutes from 7-12-11 Meeting

Attendance: Shawn, Ann, Shaun, Keith, Dan, Flo, Doug, Eric, Phyllis, Holly, Wendy

I. Critique:

At our July meeting, we critiqued work by Dan, Shaun, and Flo. Dan’s work, “Burning Pepper” brought on a lot of discussion about vegetarians, phantom limbs, and chaos in families. We wondered who the narrator was, and had fun talking about the possibilities. We read the fourth installment of Shaun’s “Model 37” – some of us weren’t happy about who died, but all agreed he’s telling an awesome story, and we can’t wait until he finds an artist for collaboration! Flo’s short story, “Early Morning Call”, dealt with a touchy subject that she handled well, with dignity. Keep those short stories coming!

II. For Next Meeting on August 9, 2011, 7-9 PM:

1. We will read and critique work from Wendy, Doug, Eric, and Delia. You will be able to find their work under “Group Forums” on the left of your screen when you are on the home page.

2. There is often plenty of time to share, so members should bring ideas, materials, and sources to the next meeting. See you then!

Flash Fiction Contest

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 20:10:00 +0000

The Ligonier Valley Writers are hosting a flash fiction contest on their website:

http://www.lvwonline.org/Shapshifters.html

The deadline is August 14. Thanks to Keith Campbell for the heads up and good luck!