WOKING WRITERS CIRCLE MEETING ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 15 AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, HORSELL

Present: Alan, Liz, Carla, Tricia, Peter, Sarah, Greg, Heather, Simona

Apologies: Amanda

NEWS

Greg was celebrating his 20th anniversary as a member of Woking Writers Circle, at his last meeting before he moves to Northumberland. It was also his 70th birthday the following day. When Greg joined in September 2002 he was immediately voted in as treasurer, a position he only relinquished a few years ago. He remains in charge of our website, for now! We marked all this with a birthday cake baked by Carla, see picture, and some generous words by members.

Write Out Loud Woking, a monthly poetry open mic-night that meets at the Lightbox and on Zoom will soon be publishing an anthology, ‘Finding our Voices’, marking its first six years. Greg is co-compere of Write Out Loud Woking with Rodney Wood. The anthology will include poems by Carla and Liz.

Liz announced the Book Club’s next meeting to be Monday (19 September). The group will be discussing Olive Kitteridge by Elisabeth Strout, which Liz described as honest, gritty and quite disturbing.

Heather said her poem had been longlisted in the prestigious Wildfire Words ‘Every Breath’ competition, and will feature in an anthology to be published in October.

READINGS

Carla read ‘Thinking About the Queen’, a short piece for which she was highly praised by the group. Although inspired by recent loss, the tribute focuses on Her Majesty’s life of service and importance to the country as a whole which Carla beautifully reminds us of. Liz praised the sincere tribute as expansive but also technical. Tricia commented that some of Her Majesty’s traits were well presented in the tribute. Peter suggested the work deserves an A+, with everyone in agreement.

Heather read two poems, each powerfully evocative of contrasting emotions. The first poem ‘Alone in a Travelodge’ was inspired by Heather’s recent trip. Alan commented that Heather captured the ‘beautiful brittleness’ of a hotel room. Greg praised Heather for a fine poem that resonated with everyone. Sarah liked that the poem alluded to the room’s next visitor who would share in the same experience. The second poem, ‘Jamais Vu’, in a sense, the opposite of ‘Déjà Vu, was inspired by the dissociative experience of having done something which later on feels unfamiliar. Greg praised the poem for its structure and changing direction halfway through. Tricia appreciated how it resonates with her own experience of poems she wrote in the past feeling as if written by someone else now. Alan praised the poem for strong suggestion of time passing.

Sarah’s free-flowing poem was both a tribute to her mother and her appreciation of the royal family, inspired by recent events. Liz said that the selection of details was very touching but also expressed a preference for more joy to be worked into the poem. Greg stated that the line ‘We’ll meet again’ was as powerful in the poem as it was in Her Majesty’s address. The group agreed that the poem was not too negative and did not require much reworking. Alan praised the poem for easily conveying a life of service.

Greg, inspired by his upcoming move, successfully managed to convey his appreciation for his new home through his poem ‘Northumberlandia’. Tricia appreciated the metaphors that the description of natural shapes can convey, with Heather in agreement that the light touch left more to the reader’s imagination. Liz was impressed by Greg’s openness in his appreciation for the landscape. Sarah suggested that formatting the poem in the shape of the Lady of the North may help the reader understand the appreciation on a deeper level. The group agreed.  

Liz wanted to write about The Queen but felt inadequate. Instead, her piece focused on Greg and their friendship through Woking Writers Circle. The piece, titled ‘O, Greg’ collates memories of Greg’s time at the circle through various minutes Liz found in her archive. Liz orchestrated the poem and timing of the birthday cake’s arrival with some humour. Greg was touched by and appreciative of the gesture.

Alan’s story was in line with the previously set homework of ‘Alarm(s)’. The story, in Alan’s usual style, is fast paced and humorous and revolves around an attempt by the main character to be the hero. When asked about his signature twist, Alan suggested that the it resided in the main character being told off for not following the correct procedure in the presence of the person he was trying to impress in the first place.

Peter began by expressing gratitude for Greg’s contributions to Woking Writers Circle, including wielding the editor’s pen thoughtfully and effectively. Peter’s letter to the publisher of Old Bike Mart was published in the August edition. Greg praised the letter. Although it was highly technical, it broadened the group’s mind as we do not often get exposed to such a style of writing. The group agreed that the piece was refreshing to read and listen to.

Next meeting: Thursday 20 October

Jobs:

Chair: Tricia

Minutes: Heather

Tea and biscuits: Alan

Wine: Sarah

Homework: ‘Leaving’