Meeting Minutes, May 16, 2010

Harry was leading the last meeting. He hardly had a chance to open his mouth before a discussion about what is and is not appropriate to post to the group's blog began. We talked about some things being offensive to one person but not to another and how we should be encouraging each other and not try to censor. What it came down to was that everyone should use common sense when posting to the group's blog. Be aware that each of us represents a group of many other writers with many different voices. If something appears on the blog that any of us finds offensive, please feel free to discuss it with the author and the group.

We had a large group this meeting, which always makes for more energy and variety.
Clare told us about his talk at the Dufferin Museum on May 15th. There was not a great turn out, but he did enjoy it. He told us that he sent a copy of The Hurleyville Taxi as well as a CD of the songs written about it and a DVD to Stuart McLean from The Vinyl Cafe on CBC. Clare got a letter from the production assistant to say they had received his package, but Stuart was out of town for a while. They wished him all the best and promised to look at it for the show.

Caitlyn read her poem about meeting her six-year-old self. Kelli suggested that she write an adult version. What would her adult self say to her six-year-old self. Judy said we all have negative self-talk and that we should all turn that around and pretend we are six. Would we still say the same things to ourselves then? Sandy wanted to talk to Caitlyn about turning her poem into a song!

Ron read a story about 12 Steps. Not about addictions - well unless you include counting basement stairs as an addiction! Lord Tweedsmuir who is the namesake for the church, wrote 39 Steps which was turned into a movie.

Sandy read a poem she did for her grandson about her two sons. She also showed us a memoir called Cakewalk written by Kate Moses. The book includes the song lyrics for "Love You" which Sandy wrote as part of the group The Free Design. Kate Moses also wrote a novel called Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath.

Pat read a short story written from a prompt she had three years ago. A woman gets a letter from her father dated 2003. He died in 2004. Laura told her it was worth the wait, which may end up being the new title.

Kelli had a list of names. She wanted the group to help her pick one for the bully in her new book. The group picked Brad from the list but suggested she choose a nickname rather than just a name.

Laura reminded us about the Amazon bookstore on the Website! She will add the books by Kate Moses to it and asked that we send her two or three of our favourite book titles to promote our friends or favourite writers. It's also a great place to buy books since we do get money back from it.

Jenn announced that she has started her own blog but I didn't get the address (sorry Jenn! Feel free to post it or email it around and we'll add it!) She read two of her poems to us "Tangled" and "Superstition"

Gloria read a short memoir called "A Sister's Gift" about her older sister's death and preparation for burial and how she coped with everything. Loved her line about "a statue without a voice." Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal.

Ruth read "the funny one", a poem called "Writing a Poem." She also read a poem called "Mother's Musing on the Meaning of Women's Shoes." It is posted on her website self-to-self.com along with a tasteful photo of a woman wearing nothing but stilettos. It was inspired by a show about the Bata Shoe Museum. Shoes apparently have a bit of an obscene history (spikes and stilettos). Richard commented on how we bare ourselves when we write and become "literarily naked."

Alberta announced that she and Gloria were going to The Book Shelf in Guelph on May 24 for a movie premiere. Theirs! They have participated in the 24 Hour Movie Challenge for a few years now and always managed to pull off a fun and interesting show! We got to watch one at an Eramosa Eden retreat.

This is a shorter post today. I did not make notes while everyone read their prompts because I got absorbed in them all. It's very inspiring to hear what people can do with a simple song title!

Here are the prompts Harry gave us to work with:

The Rite of Spring
Some Enchanted Evening
Pop Goes the Weasel
Wild Horses
Wish You Were Here
Achy Breaky Heart
Strange Fruit
Me and Bobby McGee
Chain Gang
Closer to the Heart
Great Balls of Fire
Monster Mash
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Somewhere over the Rainbow
I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face
Tutti Frutti
Bolero
Ain't Misbehavin'
Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
Unchained Melody
That's Amore

Just a couple of reminders!!!

1. The Eramosa Eden Retreat is June 19. Directions will be available or you can look them up on-line. Bring lunch, something to write in and with (laptops are welcome) and a camera if you are so inclined. It is a great place to get away from it all and be inspired.
2. June 19 is also the deadline for Anthology submissions!!! Prose pieces can be up to 2,000 words. You may submit 2-3 pieces and we can decide from there on what to use.
3. Our next meeting is May 30. Nancy will be leading. I will be away due to an art workshop that I'm really looking forward too so someone else will have to take notes and post the minutes. Any takers?

Have a great couple of weeks and keep on writing! See you all in June!