WWC would like to apologise to any prospective members that may have wanted to join us in our usually advertised location and did not find us there. Due to some miscommunication we were not able to gain access and had decided to hold our meeting, by gracious hospitality, in Heather’s home.

PRESENT: Hillary, Liz, Tricia, Peter H, Sarah, Heather, Nathan

APOLOGIES: Keith, Peter M, Alan

NEWS

  1. Peter H.’s story ‘The Largest Cave’, a piece which he has previously shared with WWC, was shortlisted in the Letter Review competition. Congratulations Peter!
  2. Heather entered a competition with two 10-line poems both of which were selected to be published in the Ver anthology. Her second poem was highly commended. You can read more about Heather and Peter’s success in our most recent post on our website. 
  3. Liz announced that the reading club’s next book is ‘Mad Women’s Ball’ by Victoria Mas and that all are welcome to read and review. Liz also mused on (Maksym Oleksandrovych Kryvtsov) the Machine Gun Poet’s demise and on the persecution of Russian authors and that we shouldn’t take for granted the ability to freely write. The group agreed that words have power.

READINGS

TRICIA’s story was linked to the topic selected in our last meeting, ‘Springtime’ but with a different interpretation: to a child, every day is Springtime, every experience is new. Sarah liked the vividness of the sand imagery and Heather praised Tricia for her ability to conjure a very convincing young voice. Tricia stated that the stories are all based on her own experiences. Hillary noted that there is no effort to it and that it rolls along with a sense of inquiry. The group then encouraged Tricia to pursue the young voice and write further.

HEATHER read her two successful poems, ‘After the Exhibition’ and ‘Sleeping Cat’. As the discussion and feedback rolled along, Battersea Billy jumped in Heather lap for a very cosy nap. This incited the group to share their love of our feline friends. Hillary noted that both her poems were beautiful and that in her first poem, the use of empty spaces was very evocative. Liz commented that the second poem was more powerful as it was more physical. Peter noted that the imagery was very strong with very few words. If you’d like to virtually meet Stumpy Malone and Battersea Billy check out our latest post on this website.

LIZ’s piece was a very raw and emotional reading of what it is like to live with someone with afflictions of the mind. Hillary said that this was the most powerful thing she has heard Liz read and that she could tell it came from a special place. Heather asked Liz if the piece allowed her to say all that she needed to say. Her feedback focused on Liz’s intent with the poem and the possibility of splitting the piece into 3 poems. Sarah said that she could connect strongly with the poem having been through a similar experience. She noted that it was not overdone, subtle. This encouraged Liz to seek publication of the piece. We wish her good luck!

NATHAN’s poem, ‘Will YOU’, stirred a significant amount of feedback and points for improvement but was enjoyed by the group. Sarah said that the poem sounded like the lyrics of a song and the group encouraged the two to seek a collaboration. Peter noted that the poem flows very well except for a line which rips the reader out of the flow. The group discussed possibilities for improvement which Nathan took on board. Nathan also read a haiku ‘Smilling Moon’ delighting the group.

PETER H. read the beginning of his new story, ‘Anticastilationist’, which was enjoyed by the whole group. Tricia noted that the piece is fabulous and how the descriptions and interactions between characters just draw you in. Sarah noted that the story is very publishable. Peter informed us that this may likely be his last meeting with WWC and although we will miss his wonderful writing, we will insist on staying in touch!

SARAH’s piece was another one in her ‘Yoga Talk’ series, titled ‘Friend or Foe’ which focuses on meditation insights on the internal voice. Heather praised the piece for the powerful implication inciting the fear of loss of companionship. Tricia and Liz agreed on its power of inducing reflection and need for more study/introspection. Sarah’s intent is to turn the piece into a recording for a more audiovisual experience.

HILLARY’s short story was a continuation on ser ‘witchy’ series giving the perspective of Sable, the cat. Unfortunately, and fortunately, the group had not heard the first piece and we are very much eager to hear it at our next meeting. Tricia really enjoyed the piece but suggested that there might not be any need to further emphasise the ‘dimness’ of one of the cats in the litter as the point stays with you from earlier in the story. Both Tricia and Heather enjoyed the perspective of Sable, and in particular the unusual description of the invisible wall and the ‘clean smell’. 

Next meeting: Thursday, 15th of February 2024 at 7.30, St Mary’s Church Hall, Horsell.

Homework: Shadow(s)

Chairperson: Tricia

Minutes: Heather

Milk & Biscuits: Liz

Wine: Heather