Wednesday 26th October 2011..




25 people attended todays meeting. Before todays Hot Pen began we had a couple of announcements. Glen began by informing us that he had received very valuable feed back from a London publisher/agent concerning his novel about the mental torment of an ex serviceman who had been brutalised by the war in Afghanistan. It seemed to bear out the groups comments when he had read extracts-don't kill the hero and remember to temper the content so as not to alienate possible female clientele.
Brenda had also been in touch with a London agent who had requested 3 more chapters of her book so that sounded very promising. Nik then cautioned that it was not wise to assume success until the deal was finally agreed, as it could lead to disappointment , but not to lose heart.
Nik attended this week with Stuart Quay, who told us that he started writing at 7 years old and caught the bug, although he has not been writing continuously. His speciality is crime thrillers having been published in North America, before coming to Spain.

Jenny had an update on our proposed day trip on 5th November. She read a list of pick up points and by the end of the meeting it was announnced that 19 members had put their names forward with a possible 10 guests. Now it will depend on the availability of seats, which wil be decided at next weeks meeting.

The buzz word for this weeks hot pen was "Before"
Ian began with a confrontation between husband and wife about the break up of the marriage when the husband falls for Jackie/Jack. Always a twist Ian.

Lisa wrote about a person watching an awards cermony wandering when the papparazzi will began to uncover the star's past life.

Jenny's poem was about a closed store, sorry Jen if I missed the rest of it but as usual it was all too short for me to write more. [I'm a bit deaf you know]

Maureen wrote a piece about unreasonable behaviour while Margarets subject was contemplating two bottles, one alcoholic the other medicinal, which one to choose.

Georgia's blank verse very cleverly reflected on past life experiences.

Jane wrote about Tony and Wayne standing before the Registrar to take their vows when Wayne's wife turns up.Poor Tony seemed a loser all round.

Anne G wrote of a conversation between husband and wife undergoing a differnce of opinion.

Douglas was very amusing, striking a cord with me at least, when he tries to address a meeting of deaf people before realising he was at the wrong venue.

Avril took the opportunity to attempt to write on the theme in Haiku form, and this was followed by three limericks from Mary.

Our new Grandma Ann B wrote a lovely poem about her new grandson Tobias. There really is something special about the first don't you think.?

Chris J had a clever piece about regrets following a wife withdrawing money, buyng a car, crashing the car, and having no money left Before her husband knew anything about it. Oops!

Anne F had a journal entry by the Minister of Foreign affairs reflecting on the corruption and famine in Africa and wishing he were in a less demanding position.

Brenda's piece looked back to times before the world went mad while Betty had a story about a maidservant who "borrows" m'ladys brooch to attend a function.

Stuart admitted to not being a short story writer but gave an account of his movements before coming to Spain. Nik confessed he is averse to the word before when he reads submissions, he advised to use with care.

Phil wrote of a Polish immigrant fruit picker who thought of how simple his life had been before leaving his home country and ended with a cliff haanger=
did he kill the woman,Phil/

Glyn spoke of a cancelled Rosas day trip and his wait for a refund while Jim resolved to wait until the last minute of one year in order to write his Lastfirst poem of the year.

Cynthia struck a cord with the ladies when she began by saying "Before marriage I was a person" prior to becoming wife,mother,grandmaa etc.

Mary wrote about a little girl who was late accompanying her family to church and so went walkabout on her own. It ended with her hearing someone addressing her by name. I hope it wasn't the bogey man Mary.

Kathy told of waking to find her living room trashed, but instead of iit being a tale of a burglary, it turned out to be her cat who had chased and murdered a budgie Not such a pretty boy then.

Gerry was the last to read. on the theme. His tale involved a bar room gunfight.

So- isn't it a wonder that one little six letter word Before- sorry Nik- can mean so many different things to so many people. .

As we had about half an hour left before the meeting closed Jane re read an account of the postman catching her unawares as she had a strip wash in a bowl of water whilst her house in France was under construction and Brenda reprised her account of the testament left by a suicide welcoming her impending death. Both invited comments from the group on adjustments needed before submission.

Next weeks theme is " I was alone and afraid". Hope to see you then. Anne Grierson(name in print at last).

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