Apologies: Alan, Sarah, Nathan, Peter, Heather

Present: Catherine, Tricia, Keith, Simona, Liz

NEWS

  1. Memberships payments notification will go out to the members shortly, pending confirmation from Hillary.
  2. Given that next month’s meeting falls very closely to Christmas, Simona will send out an email to determine who will be present and what shape the meeting might take.

READINGS

Tricia presented her new play, which stood out for its lack of the typical dramatic tension. She explained that the inspiration for the play came from her experience witnessing Saf’s stress when her parents were visiting, which led to some interesting interactions. Simona praised the work for capturing this unusual atmosphere in a very effective and subtle way.

Simona shared her first poem which she noted was yet unfinished. Plenty of encouragement was provided by the group comparing the style to that of Nathan, another member. The group acknowledged the vividness and impact of the poem’s language as well as the powerful imagery.


Catherine presented an excerpt from her novel, focusing on the point of view of a character named Anna. Simona suggested that Anna’s reaction following a previous encounter could be more clearly conveyed as flustered to deepen the emotional response. She also appreciated the details, such as Anna’s nosebleed, but encouraged Catherine to add more description to enhance the scene further. Liz found the piece highly imaginative, noting how it took the reader quickly from a simple moment to a much more intriguing and captivating direction. Tricia commented that the occult events in the story might benefit from a little more “showmanship” to heighten their dramatic effect.


Keith shared three poems with the group. The first, “Of the Tomorrow that Never Comes,” was particularly impactful, with Simona finding the closing line especially poignant, as it struck a deep emotional chord. The second poem, “Swing Low,” was a competition entry that adhered to a word limit and was inspired by the image of a young girl swinging. Tricia inquired about the connection between the poem and the song that had inspired it. Simona interpreted the metaphors in the poem as evoking themes of futility and innocence, as symbolized by the image of swinging in the world. The third poem, “Swing Thoughts from Abroad,” was shared without further feedback.


Liz shared a series of haikus inspired by the Frameless exhibition in London. These included references to works by Hieronymus Bosch (Garden of Earthly Delights), Van Gogh (a self-portrait), and Monet (Green Harmony). Catherine particularly appreciated the haiku about strawberries, praising its vividness and succinctness. Tricia and Catherine both felt that this haiku was particularly striking, containing a perfect balance of punchiness and wit without feeling forced. They also enjoyed the alliteration in the haiku about Van Gogh’s self-portrait. Regarding the Monet haiku, the group agreed that the word “beautiful” was unnecessary and should be replaced with something more fitting.

Next meeting to be confirmed.