Woking Writers Circle

A welcoming writing community where we share words and grow together and where creativity, feedback and encouragement come together

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  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2025

    Present: Simona, Liz, Sarah, Keith, Dave, Cathy, Natasha, Heather,

    Apologies: Alan, Tricia, Nathan, Harry, Teddy

    NEWS:

    1. Simona advised that subscriptions would be invited as soon as new bank details had been confirmed, but that meanwhile the financial position of WWC was healthy.
    2. Nathan had submitted an entry to a poetry pamphlet competition. Well done, Nathan.
    3. Dave’s poetry book, Poems in a Bottle, will be published on 5th December 2025 by Austin Macaulay. Dave will be the featured poet at the Woking Write-Out-Loud meeting on Thursday 27th November. (This will be the last meeting at the Fiery Bird.)
    4. Write-Out-Loud meetings will be held on Mondays at the Lionsheart Bookshop from January 2026. There will be no meeting in December 2025.
    5. Liz reported that the previous book considered by the Book Group, The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig, was enjoyed by all, earning a score of 8 out of 10. The Group is currently reading, Milkman, by Anna Burns.

    Readings:

    Keith had followed the Homework invitation to produce a piece in a foreign language, with his poem, Viva La Espana. This was much appreciated, with the humour around incorrect use of words – in this case ‘chicken’ – enjoyed by all. Keith’s second poem, Marloes, told the story of pilots flying out from this airfield during the 2nd World War, with some skilfully etched contrasts. In particular, the sudden activity when the bell rang after all the waiting, and also the unknown dangers awaiting the pilots which made them wonder if they would ever return to the ‘natural beauty’ of the base.

    Heather read her poem, The Light-Catcher, which described an unexpected visit from a ‘fickle and fey’ friend, who nevertheless brings laughter and joy when she turns up. The poem was enjoyed and the title seemed to fit. Heather had been thinking about the glass ‘dream-catchers’ (thanks, Liz!) when she came up with the title.

    Simona introduced her extremely powerful poem, Obsession, by explaining that she gets obsessed with certain songs and lyrics, an experience which was shared by other members of the group. In this case, the band was Sleep Token and their song, Hypnosis. All agreed that the poem succeeded brilliantly in conveying the trapped feeling of the writer, with its unrelenting language, including phrases such as, ‘fabricated reality’ and ‘fractured realities’.

    Dave talked about becoming obsessed with turning poems into lyrics and read a break-up verse/song. There was an interesting discussion about the synergy of music and lyrics and Dave outlined his considerable experience of collaborating with musicians representing totally different genres, including Rastafarian and country-style. The relationship between the creative arts is a vigorous and fascinating one, each having drawing inspiration from the other.

    Cathy read a piece capturing the humour and adventures of a trip she made with her mother to Munich. This was a hugely enjoyable and well-written piece which was greatly appreciated by all. Cathy deftly incorporated a fair amount of German conversation, but meanings were always clear from the context without the need for translation, which would have interrupted the story’s flow. There were some laugh-out-loud remarks from Cathy’s mother, who apparently had previously joked about having Semtex in her pocket when visiting Ireland during the Troubles, and in Germany thought an English map of Munich should show the street names in English. Simona suggested producing an audio version. A brilliant piece of writing!

    Sarah, continuing the multi-media theme, showed a beautiful video of clouds to accompany her prose-poem, Metal Bird. Sarah explained that she had not flown for many years due to caring responsibilities and experienced anew the wonder of flying when she was able to get away. This was a lovely piece of writing with a dream-like quality. Heather particularly enjoyed the thought that ‘usually we’re looking up’, but on a plane ‘we’re looking down’. The lovely singing to an ABBA song that followed confirmed what a talent we have in the group!

    Liz read her poem, Autumn, which she has entered into a Godalming writing competition. Everyone enjoyed this poem, with the thought-provoking idea of ‘lessening’ rather than loss. There were lots of interesting details, such as the leaves dropping and going into the ground to the mycelium layers beneath, highlighting the circle of life. Clever Liz had also managed to highlight ‘Godalming’ in the version she sent in – well done, Liz! Liz also produced verses in Romanian, German and Slovak, read by Simona, Cathy and the poet. The poem was a clerihew featuring ‘The Heavy Bear’.

    Next Meeting 18th December 2025

    Bring a Christmas carol you have written or another Christmas piece. There will be festive refreshments, and Simona will write out to members separately about this.

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 16th OCTOBER 2025

    Present: Tricia, Heather, Keith, Dave, Nathan, Natasha, Adi, Liz, Sarah, Simona, Catherine, Harry, Teddy 
    Apologies: Alan 

    NEWS 

    1. The Book Group will meet next Monday to discuss The Midnight Library, with a potential new member joining. 
    1. Heather joyfully announced the successful publication of her poetry pamphlet, sharing her gratitude and a few details about the journey to print. 
    1. The Fiery Bird venue has received another award for its community support, though it is sadly set to close in January. 
    1. Introductions were made for Teddy, who joined the group for the first time. 

    READINGS 

    Natasha read an excerpt beginning “Sparrowhawk, I know’. The group praised the vividness of her imagery and the emotional power of the reveal. Heather admired the rich description in the opening but suggested trimming adjectives to sharpen the prose. Dave noted that sensory experiences differ from person to person and that omission can sometimes enhance impact. Catherine enjoyed the twist but felt the explanation afterwards could be pared back. She also commented that referring to women as “girls” might read as infantilising, though the group agreed parents often continue using that term for their children. Tricia praised Natasha’s natural instinct for capturing animal consciousness. Adi appreciated the imaginative expressions, though found some slightly distracting, while Sarah noted how Natasha’s writing continues to develop with depth and confidence. 

    David shared two poems: “Extinction Blues” and “Modern Love.” The first conveyed a strong sense of desperation, with Harry admiring the musicality of the second stanza. Tricia sought clarification on some imagery in the opening, while Simona found the shifting perspectives a little confusing. Catherine mentioned an overuse of references to eyes, which compounded that sense of disorientation. Harry suggested reworking a few lines to enhance rhythm and poetic flow. The second poem, “Modern Love,” was warmly received — Tricia appreciated the sentiment, Heather found it clever, and Keith and Tricia both remarked that it served as a refreshing antidote to David’s previously more sombre work. 

    Keith read “Swing Thoughts from Abroad,” a humorous meditation on thoughts during a golf game, and “A Rose is Not Always a Rose by Any Other Name.” Catherine particularly enjoyed his inventive rhyme for “glaucoma.” Tricia noted his trademark wit and a playful duality in his portrayal of womanhood. 

    Adi presented “No Fall, No Rise.” Simona suggested that one of the central questions could be cut to maintain flow. Tricia observed that Adi’s style, almost abstract in its precision, conveys movement and flux effectively and perhaps reflects his background. Heather praised the repetition for its musical emphasis, and Liz remarked that Adi’s lyricism feels effortless. Adi explained that he writes intuitively and had not yet edited this piece. 

    Special Guest: Auntie Dawn delighted the group with a performance piece described as both witty and heartfelt. Adi called it beautiful; Harry enjoyed its humour; and Keith encouraged her to write a poem exploring the mind. Heather praised its honesty and craftsmanship, while Catherine found it marvellous and funny. Nathan likened it to Bob Dylan’s more whimsical songs, and David described it as “beautiful and funny at the same time.” Natasha noted its warmth and lack of bitterness, and Teddy said her reading style added real personality. Tricia called it an amazing poem and expressed a wish to meet her in person. Liz particularly appreciated the well-placed use of the word “sod.” 

    Heather read “Winter in London.” Keith admired the imagery and Tricia liked the way she used “pretending” to reflect seasonal denial. David described it as a poem that “packs a punch,” and the group agreed that it captured the essence of urban winter beautifully. 

    Catherine shared an original play, which sparked an engaging discussion involving Harry, Keith, and Tricia. Harry praised the effective use of dramatic irony, while Simona noted she always learns something new from Catherine’s writing. The suspense was handled well, and Tricia commented on the contrast between the family’s day-to-day worries and the daughter’s broader anxieties — a contrast Heather found especially thought-provoking. Keith called it “really interesting,” highlighting the realism of the characters’ interactions. 

    Sarah also presented a short play, structured as a video conversation. The twist was executed brilliantly, surprising and delighting the entire room. The group responded with high praise for both concept and delivery. 

    Liz read a poem begun at the Repair Café event, which she completed during the week. The piece reflected on mending — both literal and emotional — and the unravelling that sometimes can’t be repaired. Heather described it as beautifully crafted, while Tricia said it felt deeply authentic. Harry noted that its realism made the ending hit with a “gut punch.” David praised her ability to evoke the atmosphere of the room, and Sarah loved the imagery of “threading together” as both action and metaphor. 

    Teddy read two poems, “Light-Life” and “Threes.” Heather admired the phrase “beautifully obsolete,” and David said his favourite stanza stood out with quiet strength. Sarah said she could read “Light-Life” again and again, and Heather noted its layers of meaning. “Threes” was warmly received for its sense of closure and simplicity — Tricia found the ending evocative, Nathan praised its clean aesthetic, and Sarah highlighted its childlike perspective, rare and refreshing. 

    Harry concluded with two poems: “I Yearn for London Underground” and “Uncanny Finale.” Simona found comfort in the first, while David described it as unsettling yet powerful. Heather was intrigued by the poet’s fear of the overground. Tricia questioned the phrase “in a rush-hour blaze,” noting that “blaze” suggests fire or inferno and might need rethinking. The group appreciated his use of ouroboros. The second poem, “Uncanny Finale,” drew attention for its theatrical framing. Keith praised its stagecraft, while David questioned the inclusion of a “faux opera.” Keith interpreted it as commentary on life’s performative nature, and Tricia encouraged more exploration of the performing arts motif. Heather and David liked the singing imagery, Liz enjoyed the rhythmic “sag and stagger,” and Heather agreed that while the “faux” aspect might sound pretentious, it added texture to the piece. 

    Other Business 

    The next meeting’s homework is to write a poem in a language that is not your first language. 
    Minutes: Heather 
    Chair: Harry 
    Wine, Biscuits & Milk: Simona 

  • MINUTES OF WOKING WRITERS’ CIRCLE MEETING AT ST MARY’S CHURCH HALL, HORSELL ON 17th JULY 2025

    PRESENT: Liz, Natasha, Catherine, Alan, Harry, Nathan, Sarah, Simona, Keith

    APOLOGIES: Heather

    NEWS:

    1. The Summer Party will take place during the August meeting. Members are encouraged to bring and read short, fun, summer-themed pieces. A separate email will be sent to coordinate food and drink contributions. Everyone is warmly encouraged to attend.

    2. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held during the September meeting. During this session, the group’s financial situation will be reviewed and voted on. Nominations for available committee roles should be submitted ahead of the Summer Party in August.

    READINGS:

    NATASHA shared a short story titled “It Takes a Village.” Simona praised the context and setup but suggested the piece would benefit from less telling and more showing, along with stronger tension building. Harry felt Natasha’s descriptive writing excels in texture and noted her strength in developing real, believable characters, though he observed some overuse of pronouns. Alan recommended incorporating more dialogue to help express the protagonist’s emotions more vividly.

    SIMONA presented a flash fiction piece under 500 words, intended to evoke an unsettling morning experience. Harry appreciated the internal dialogue, describing it as believable, though he critiqued the use of capitalisation and found the onomatopoeia a bit weak. Keith felt the tension was effectively sustained and remarked on the story’s ambiguity between the real and the surreal. Sarah commented that the story captured something familiar but framed it in a way that felt disorienting. Alan saw an intentional leaning into themes of schizophrenia. Liz praised the immediacy and concise delivery, noting that the initial relaxed tone gave way to tension in a well-balanced manner.

    CATHERINE read her poem “Hey Google,” written in iambic pentameter. Inspired by her interactions with AI and poetic form, the piece cleverly mimicked an AI-generated style. She also compared it with an actual AI-generated poem, which was widely criticized for its lack of depth and weak metaphors. In contrast, Catherine’s poem was considered creative and entertaining. Harry particularly enjoyed the final lines, which captured the essence of an artificial voice in a witty and impactful way.

    NATHAN presented a dark nursery rhyme on the theme of “Feeling Small,” written as a personal challenge. Alan remarked that the poem seemed to call for illustrations, while Keith admired Nathan’s courage in exploring a new style. Liz welcomed the shift in his writing approach. Nathan also read a haiku titled “Return.” Liz found the final line possibly too cryptic, which sparked a lively group discussion on its meaning.

    KEITH shared three thematically linked poems centered on deities. The first, “Deities,” questioned accepted notions of faith and was received as thought-provoking. The second poem, “Pharaoh Poet,” speculated on why Tutankhamun’s tomb remained untouched for so long. The third, “When Dinosaurs Got Together,” humorously explored how sentient dinosaurs might have perceived religion. Harry noted the Nietzschean undertones, especially in the first poem, and related to its commentary on atheism. Cathy found the inconsistent rhyming patterns in poems two and three a bit distracting, while Simona enjoyed the playful imagination behind the dinosaur poem.

    ALAN read his short story “Heavy Presence.” Harry complimented the realistic, quippy dialogue, which he felt carried the strength of the piece. Simona mentioned she liked the name of the dog, and Catherine found the story grounded and believable due to the natural flow of the dialogue.

    LIZ read a poem she wrote at age 17, which Simona described as having an archaic tone yet a light touch. Catherine agreed with this impression. Liz then shared two found poems created during a workshop, inspired by a library and its contents. Simona found the imagery, especially around the use of cards, hard to connect with. Keith and Harry observed that the found poetry format has limitations and noted some lines felt clichéd. Catherine appreciated the exercise as a creative prompt but felt the final pieces didn’t stand strongly on their own without explanation.

    HARRY concluded the session by reading a poem which he intends to include in his upcoming anthology, titled ‘The Beating Drums’. Keith expressed some disappointment that the poem depicted a quiet acceptance of death instead of a defiant, rallying spirit. Alan asked what motivates the characters to carry on, to which Harry responded that it’s the raw sense of life itself—the one force keeping them moving forward. Catherine appreciated the ironic contrast between the image of beating war drums and the quiet resignation, noting that the poem handled this theme effectively. Liz also thought it was powerfully written and well executed.

    Next meeting: Summer Party, 21 of August, St Mary’s Church, Horsell.

    Homework: Rewrite an overused line, ‘every cloud has a silver lining’, in a more artistic/poetic and original way, in less than 50 words.