On Monday morning, Carol, Sheila, Lindsay and Maggie (behind the camera) set up a stall near the entrance to inform library users about RWG. This is to be followed by a walk-in workshop from 1.30 to 3.30 p.m. on 24th November at which all are welcome.
The brief at our most recent meeting, was to choose from a number of art works supplied and write in prose or verse whatever they inspired. Polished work was not expected, given that only just over half an hour was allowed for the task.
After a break for refreshments, the results were read out. Everyone had chosen something different, which led to very lively discussion.
Bill Hilton began by saying how much he had enjoyed reading all the entries, (which had not always been his experience as an adjudicator) and was then invited to describe his personal connections with writing as a profession. After studying for a degree in English and Music, he taught English for 6 years before starting his own business as a professional advertising copywriter for large firms. That led to branching out into training courses in writing for big businesses, so that they would be able to produce their own copy. After going back to university to do an M.A. in English, Bill turned his focus onto producing piano books and tutorials for YouTube.
When considering a piece of writing, Bill looks for the following:
1) Would he like to read more by this author?
2) Does the author display confidence in him//herself and the reader/audience?
3) Does the writing exhibit control of the structure of the piece, both overall and at sentence level?
4) An interesting subject and, particularly, an interesting title.
In random order, the entries for the competition were:
‘Family History’ by Joe Peters
‘Buried Treasure: Sutton Hoo’ by Charlotte Wilson
‘Oppenheimer: The film’ by Susan Perkins
‘In the British Museum’ by Solvig Choi
‘There is nothing like a Dame’ by Maggie Cobbett
‘Kynista’s victory at Olympia: the case of the missing statues’ by Carol Mayer
‘Deal and ideals in art’ by Sheila Whitfield
‘Next time in Venice’ by Chrissie Russell’
The photo above shows Bill Hilton presenting the cup to Solvig Choi, who had only just handed it back in after her win the last time this competition came around. Carol Mayer and Charlotte Wilson tied for second place.
Well done everyone who took part!
What a weekend we’ve had! Many of us attended the open mic event that we hosted jointly with the Write-On Ripon! group at the Claro Lounge and/or, at the Ripon Arts Hub, the launch of this year’s anthology in which (in alphabetical order) Maggie Cobbett, Peter Page, Susan Perkins, Ros Swaney, Kate Swann, Sheila Whitfield and Charlotte Wilson had poems.
In addition, of course, individual members enjoyed other events throughout the weekend.
Joe Peters took great pleasure in presenting the new ‘Writing for Children’ trophy to Ros Swaney. The competition was inaugurated in honour of Joe’s late wife Daphne, the founder of Ripon Writers’ Group, and you can find an account of the adjudication by Claire Thompson by scrolling back to mid-July.
Competitions Secretary Susan Perkins reminded us that Claire had awarded ‘Dusty the Cupboard Monster’ first place as the story most likely in her experience to be chosen by children visiting the library. An accolade indeed!
Many members of RWG have attended ‘Swanwick’ over the years and this time Maggie was delighted to be joined by Susan. The sun shone on us most of the week and we both enjoyed the very full and varied programme.
We are indebted to Tim Flanagan of the Stray Ferret for his write-up of our 950th meeting. You can read it by following this link: https://thestrayferret.co.uk/ripon-writers-group-honours-daphne-peters-with-new-competition/
