The meeting on 31st January took the form of a workshop session on constructive criticism.
Committee members bravely submitted fiction, non-fiction and poetry for the Group to consider. These pieces were deliberately unpolished and led to some lively ‘gloves off’ discussions.
It is hoped that this will encourage everyone to speak out at future Open Manuscript sessions, especially when the member reading is keen to submit the piece for publication.
The first meeting of the year (open MSS) was well attended.
As well as hearing a wide variety of pieces, we had a lively discussion about how to get over writer’s block and kick start the creative process.
Members and guests, including our very helpful hosts from the YMCA, enjoyed an evening of fun and games. The Chair’s Challenge, a literary quiz, caused some head scratching, but light relief was provided in the form of the game devised by our ingenious Secretary.
After the buffet came Christmas readings, some hilarious and others poignant, chosen by different members and the presentation of the President’s Cup to Maggie Cobbett. Unfortunately, our photographer (as well as manning the bar) was struggling with a newly acquired camera and missed the moment.
Merry Christmas to one and all and we shall look forward to assembling again in January.
The A.G.M. will be held on Tuesday, 8th November, to be followed by Open MSS and one of our regular book sales.
The £40 membership fee for 2011-12 is due on that evening. Please speak to Cathy if you wish to pay in two six-monthly instalments.
Our adjudicator was Andy Humphrey of York Writers.
Andy began by explaining that, in adjudicating the poems, he was looking for three things:
1. Music – a well written poem is like a piece of music. It needs the right music for the mood and subject matter of the poem. This can be achieved by rhythm and the sounds of the words themselves – by alliteration, assonance etc.
2. Imagery – particularly an unexpected or surprising association
3. Rhyme that is well done. He said that for some reason, well-done rhyme seems to be achieved by children and young writers more easily than by older writers.
He then went through the poems one by one, giving a very full critique.
1st – Loading. The winner, who prefers to remain anonymous, was presented with the Susannah Carr trophy.
2nd – Eileen with Lacrimae Rerum
3rd – Daphne with Whispering Wind
After the reading of the winning poem, Andy took questions and read us some of his own – amazing – poetry which had us all spellbound.
Congratulations to Joe for winning the over 18 category in the short story competition run by the Ripon Gazette as part of the Ripon Yarns festival.
As well as seeing his story featured in the Ripon Gazette, Joe is to join the winner of the under 18 category and the editorial team at the Gazette offices for a day and be presented with some book tokens.
