Although this week's meeting was a hot pen, 20 members still attended.
Nik presented a number of apologies from members and advised on several magazines recently received. One magazine that the group subscribes to, "Telling Tales", has folded and we hope to receive a refund of our subscription shortly.
Today's subject, chosen at random, was "Woman".
Chris's account of a bar room fracas and its effect on the remaining customers was quite compelling.
Anne F told of a woman's obsession to become an intellectual until she saw the light and settled for a more mundane routine.
Mary M's story of a woman shopper planting a bomb brought memories of Baghdad and Belfast.
Jane gave us a mild rant on a TV programme about woman giving birth to a child and the pressures under which the woman was put.
Pat's very short but very amusing poem about a female tennis superstar had everyone imagining Billie Jean King.
Alan's piece was a short history of woman in the Bible and the origin of their names.
Gerry told the story of an attempted street mugging where the victim was saved by a woman who had a black belt in judo.
Nan's effort was about family life and a conflict of conscience.
Stan related a nostalgic tale of a meeting a woman at the Palais de Danse. Very 50s/60s.
Autobographical? Nan says "No!"
Nik's tale was of a private detective being warned that he was about to be murdered. The warning came from the murderer's wife.
Maureen narrated a piece about a journey in South America and of a woman she encountered there.
Norma told the story of neighbours and in particular, Juanita and her outlook on life.
TJ started by apologising as his effort was about the chairman of a writer's circle and the choosing of the word "woman" as a hot pen. Sounded like inside information!
Glyn gave us a study of women from a man's point of view highlighting both their attributes and faults.
Heinke's usual "off-the-wall" narrative was about packaging and in particular a woman's effort to open a packet of firelighters.
Ian related what could be the opening of a longer piece about the discovery of a woman's body bricked up in the walls of a church partially destroyed in an earthquake.
Jenny gave us thoughts and regrets of being a woman.
Mary K's poem told of seeing a beautiful woman who turned out to be a drag queen.
Ann B's account of a TV interview with a sex change individual was most graphic and illuninating.
After these readings, there was still a little time left so Stan read a true story of his days working at the pits and in particular one of those incidents where there is a chance encounter with ...what? This was X-Files stuff.
As Norma will not be here next week, she told her very visual and true story of attending Buckingham Palace at her husband's investiture ceremony.
A really mixed bag of enjoyable contributions this week. But that's what you get from a hot pen.
- Ian
Showing posts with label sex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sex. Show all posts
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Friday, 14 August 2009
Swearing, telegrams and sex
Meeting of 12 August, 2009.
Some apologies but a good attendance with 14 members.
Swear in
We dived straight in with Glynn’s second chapter of ‘We’re in the Army Now!’ As before, the members were so intent on listening to the story that few comments were made about the writing! There was some discussion as to whether Glynn should bowdlerise it or not. Leaving in some swearing seemed appropriate to give it the ring of truth and add flavour without totally alienating any sensitive souls. Too many books and films tend to go overboard with swearing and it’s not necessary. We all look forward to the next chapter when Glynn returns from his tomato-throwing jaunt.
Hotel hots
Brenda showed us Bell’s passionate reconciliation with Richard. From pub to hotel room in a trice. Again, good description just needs tightening in parts – and don’t forget Bell’s coat in the pub!
Waiting for George
Ian had many an eye filled with a tear or two with his rendering of ‘Trapped’, about an old lady who is waiting for George, her husband. Excellent. Ian says it was inspired by the book he’d just read, The Secret Scripture. This has to go somewhere so it is read widely.
An explosive combination
Heather read the second part of her long story – she has knocked off 1,000 from the original 6,000 words. The main man seems to be a ‘bomber’ seeking revenge or something else after the deaths of his family in the Middle East. A little debate ensued about the main character’s motivation and his sensibilities. All agreed that dialogue brought the characters alive.
Have bike, will travel
Maureen read her experiences quad biking, a factual piece which definitely had us there with her, astride the deafening monstrous machines, especially on those quite steep and forbidding slopes. Not for the faint-hearted!
Poetry games
Christina read a poem in which she owned up to being besotted by a computer game played on Facebook. Good poem, but are you game enough to put the game aside to concentrate on writing? Difficult one, that.
Don’t shoot the messenger
Douglas read out an affecting story about a telegram boy during the Second World War. We felt for the lad. It was pointed out that a couple of characters’ names might need changing, from Harry Webb (Cliff Richard’s real name) and Mrs Matthews, who had a foot-balling son (Stanley?)
Serves him right!
Complete with sound effects, Jenny read out a humorous piece about a husband on the phone, bemoaning the fact that his wife has left him. As we listen, we can well understand and sympathise with the absent spouse! Has potential for a magazine as it will bring plenty of smiles and knowing nods of heads. Alter the last words, though…
Friend pen
Finally, Mary K has – as so often – turned an idea on its head and it works. She gave us an intriguing poem about her friend, the pen, which seems to write of its own accord. If only we could all possess such a clever instrument!
I’m away next week so will be sorry to miss some continuing stories. Rob is standing in. Thanks, Rob.
Nik
Some apologies but a good attendance with 14 members.
Swear in
We dived straight in with Glynn’s second chapter of ‘We’re in the Army Now!’ As before, the members were so intent on listening to the story that few comments were made about the writing! There was some discussion as to whether Glynn should bowdlerise it or not. Leaving in some swearing seemed appropriate to give it the ring of truth and add flavour without totally alienating any sensitive souls. Too many books and films tend to go overboard with swearing and it’s not necessary. We all look forward to the next chapter when Glynn returns from his tomato-throwing jaunt.
Hotel hots
Brenda showed us Bell’s passionate reconciliation with Richard. From pub to hotel room in a trice. Again, good description just needs tightening in parts – and don’t forget Bell’s coat in the pub!
Waiting for George
Ian had many an eye filled with a tear or two with his rendering of ‘Trapped’, about an old lady who is waiting for George, her husband. Excellent. Ian says it was inspired by the book he’d just read, The Secret Scripture. This has to go somewhere so it is read widely.
An explosive combination
Heather read the second part of her long story – she has knocked off 1,000 from the original 6,000 words. The main man seems to be a ‘bomber’ seeking revenge or something else after the deaths of his family in the Middle East. A little debate ensued about the main character’s motivation and his sensibilities. All agreed that dialogue brought the characters alive.
Have bike, will travel
Maureen read her experiences quad biking, a factual piece which definitely had us there with her, astride the deafening monstrous machines, especially on those quite steep and forbidding slopes. Not for the faint-hearted!
Poetry games
Christina read a poem in which she owned up to being besotted by a computer game played on Facebook. Good poem, but are you game enough to put the game aside to concentrate on writing? Difficult one, that.
Don’t shoot the messenger
Douglas read out an affecting story about a telegram boy during the Second World War. We felt for the lad. It was pointed out that a couple of characters’ names might need changing, from Harry Webb (Cliff Richard’s real name) and Mrs Matthews, who had a foot-balling son (Stanley?)
Serves him right!
Complete with sound effects, Jenny read out a humorous piece about a husband on the phone, bemoaning the fact that his wife has left him. As we listen, we can well understand and sympathise with the absent spouse! Has potential for a magazine as it will bring plenty of smiles and knowing nods of heads. Alter the last words, though…
Friend pen
Finally, Mary K has – as so often – turned an idea on its head and it works. She gave us an intriguing poem about her friend, the pen, which seems to write of its own accord. If only we could all possess such a clever instrument!
I’m away next week so will be sorry to miss some continuing stories. Rob is standing in. Thanks, Rob.
Nik
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