BANGING AWAY AT THE BACK (not that sort of banging!)

Rob was Chairman this week as Nik had to do some babysitting. He reported on a new Magazine called Platinum Page. He has had a story printed in issue 2 and Gerry has also sent one. Issues are £3.99 each but they may be available on a subscription basis later on. If you log on to Rob’s blog the details are available there. Another useful website WOMAG can also be linked from our blog.

Ian gave details of the new writing circle that started last Friday. He and a few other members of TWC went along to see what it was all about. They will be giving out information about competitions and help through a form of networking. They are not restricted to specific types of writing; features will include poetry and script writing. They are looking to set up a website and blog. The next one will be held at Maggie’s Bar at 9.30 on 12 February.

Gerry read out the beginning of a historical story which will go back 150 years. A young couple stood looking at graves. He had tanned skin and was of Red Indian blood, she was fair with blond hair and blue eyes. The story would revolve around racial tension concerning their different cultures. The group thought it was very descriptive. Gerry received some useful feedback from the group.

Jane’s contribution was a story called Water. It started with her broken washing machine which made her think about the Haiti earthquake and the fact that across the world there is no water to drink. She resolved not to take water for granted and to change her washing machine.

Heather had written a story about a school where a TV documentary was being made about the return of a pop star to the school he attended when a boy. They were going to interview Mr Slater who had been at the school for 35 years and ran the choir. When it was edited down the programme only showed one verse of the song the choir had rehearsed. As Mr Slater was an old-fashioned teacher, Heather had used old-fashioned words to describe him.

Anne’s contribution was a report of her Mediterranean cruise at Christmas time. She described how tips were involved in everything paid for on the cruise and also when they docked, even the horse on the horse drawn carriage wanted a tip! It was a descriptive account of her travels. Rob said that one of the Sunday papers is asking for people to send in 500 words about their holiday experiences. These are two possible contacts:
http://www.heritagemagazine.co.uk/Editorial

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travel-writing-competition/

Mary K’s input was a poem (although it didn’t always rhyme) called the Love Child. ‘I have loved you from the start my precious darling baby boy.’ It was an evocative tale of a young girl awaiting the arrival of her baby with excitement and fear as the child’s father was married, ‘so there is only me and you.‘

Rita’s story was about the youth of today. It revolved around a museum in New York where an exhibition of El Greco’s paintings was being held, and the interest shown in El Greco’s life by the young people.

Glyn told us that the next part of his story was a serious bit but there was no swearing. (Wot!) It tells of youths in balaclavas entering their barrack room and beating Jock up for some supposed insult to them. They were like a pack of hyenas. The other boys covered their ears and didn’t get involved. It was very graphic and hit the spot!

Alan continued his story of Spike the dog. His family were talking about going on a summer holiday. He didn’t know what that meant but he had heard that it involved going to live somewhere else for a couple of weeks. He didn’t see the point but was on his best behaviour anyway. There was talk of flying to their holiday destination and he hadn’t realised that humans could fly! It was very amusing. Feedback was that more tension would help the story along.

Maureen’s story was a celebration of the men in her life. A list of good things about men included their sense of humour, their strength, they are protective, practical, courageous, chivalrous and they know about the offside rule. Some of the women felt a bit cheated as the men they knew had none of the attributes listed (except knowing about the offside rule).

Brenda continued Belle’s story. She was now reading her mother’s second diary, which she didn’t know existed. The language was evocative of the East End (skin and blisters for sisters). Her mother told of going to see where her dad had worked. She met a young man on the bus and we were just about to hear about her first sexual experience when time ran out and it was 1 o’clock. Let’s hope we continue the story next week! There was feedback about the language but as Brenda pointed out, Belle was using the language that she was used to.

Another enjoyable and provocative meeting, with people in the background hammering away making up the stage for the panto at the end of the month, and the market outside.

Cynthia