MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS CIRCLE MEETING AT THE BADEN POWELL CENTRE ON 19 JULY 2018

Present: Peter One, Amanda, Cathy, Tricia, Carla, Heather, Alan, Hilary, Liz, Peter Two, Simon and Visitors: Wendy, Chris

Apologies: Dermot, Ramzan, Sarah DD, Greg

News

Cathy reminded everyone about the Waverley CAB Competition: entries wanted! 100 words maximum on ‘The best Advice I Ever Had’, closing date 31 July 2018. Entry fee: £3 per entry, maximum of five entries. Judging panel headed by Sir Richard Stilgoe, OBE, DC. See Waverley CAB website for details.

Liz reported on the reading of her play at Camberley. There had been an article in the Camberley paper and also Woking News and Mail, and the performance had gone well.

Alan said that he had heard from This England that they would publish imminently an article he submitted four years ago.

Readings

Carla read two poems, ‘Sacred and Profane’ and ‘Canada Water’ which she wished to receive comments on as they were work in progress. All agreed that both poems were very deep and there was discussion about the reader’s possible over-anxiety to establish clear, unambiguous meanings. The group was keen to hear the poems again in due course to see how they had changed and developed.

Peter Two read a continuation of Concepta’s story, a God-fearing Irish woman with pronounced Hyacinth Bucket tendencies. The humour and tension increased when Concepta had to steel herself to open a letter from her brother who was serving a life sentence in Sing Sing prison, New York. The characteristically Irish phrasing and delivery enhanced the humour and made the reading a delight to listen to. A helpful piece of advice was given about the envelope probably betraying to the postmistress the whereabouts of Concepta’s errant sibling.

Heather read out a cluster of cinquains – her first venture into this poetry form – and felt encouraged to pursue this project by the supportive comments made.

Cathy read her story, The Show Must Go On, which she had written to meet the magazine People’s Friend guidelines. It was unanimously agreed that its heartwarming tone would appeal to readers of that magazine. It was a beautifully crafted work which dealt sensitively with the issue of disability and skilfully made the point that disabled people were concerned to retain their identity as individuals. Cathy had sought the views of a friend with neurological problems when writing the story. It was suggested that Woman’s Weekly might also provide an appropriate market.

Hilary offered the second chapter of a novel with Sam as the narrator. Tension built convincingly as Mrs B, the arthritic longstanding cleaner, entered after Sam had heard a scream and raced to the pool to discover her mother face down in the water. Mrs B’s puzzling and sinister behaviour was skilfully portrayed with the suspense and sense of foreboding maintained throughout. The detailed observation of ordinary things such as the colour of the geraniums in the midst of this nightmare was realistically captured.

Amanda continued her story about Stella, returning to the present after Stella had tried to kill herself. The group particularly admired the natural flow of the dialogue and the fact that it was always clear who had spoken without endless ‘she/he saids’. Some advice was given about definitions, ie about disciplinary hearings, etc.

Alan read his story, ‘One Stop Shop’, in which the hero, Majid, was tasked with drilling holes deep inside a cave and planting explosives. The group shared Majid’s feelings of barely controlled panic as he waited for the moon to pass before making his exit from the cave before the charge detonated. The twist at the end was satisfying and answered the questions raised. This enjoyable tale had all the usual Alan trademarks of humour and vivid use of language.

Liz self-deprecatingly prefaced her reading by referring to it as doggerel, but it was agreed that this was far from the case. Liz had chosen assorted water features as the theme to link three place poems: Costa Rica, Glasgow, and Woking – Basingstoke Canal. Toilets were discussed at some length and with enthusiasm. The advice was for Liz to write more material relating to places and to possibly approach various tourist boards as a marketing opportunity.

Next meeting 

Chair: Hilary

Minutes: Heather

Wine: Carla

Peter Two: Milk and Biscuits

Homework: There is no justice in the world.