Near Mrs. - August 26, 2012 - Theatre Orangeville

Okay Patricia, I got the hint. I've been editing for goodness sake. Next time, I'll take notes.

There’s something exhilarating for me to watch a play being read as opposed to looking at a play with props. Could it be that it feels like the words come alive during the reading. Don’t get me wrong the actors were sensational. They didn’t need props. Maybe the dialogue is everything when it’s read. As a reader and a writer, I love dialogue.

Whatever it is, I enjoyed the new play development of Near Mrs.

Brian McKay wrote Near Mrs. and Robert More directed it. It stared Jonathan Ellul, Lisa Horner, Iveal Lucas, Jamie Mac, Ashley Magwood, and David Nairn.

I noticed every facial muscle of each actor as they read their lines. They drew me in with each word that they spoke. The story came alive on the stage. And I noticed when the audience laughed and when they didn’t. More revisions. For the last two years, Brian McKay worked on this play and he’d already done major revisions before we saw it. I know about editing but this is different. Without a live audience, how could Brian gage the success of his words?

Personally, I hate editing or revisions but it’s part of a writer’s job. It's good to know that other writers have numerous revisions and I'm not the only one. Whenever I read my writing at our group, I can sense or feel what I need to revise.

During question time, Ron informed McKay that we were all writers sitting in the second row. Lucky for us, eh?

Watching the actors, I realized, like most stories, this play is character driven. I loved the characters, they reminded me of people that I love and hate. When I told this to McKay, he thanked me profusely. “As a writer,” he said, “you know how important the characters are.” I nodded.

This play, Near Mrs., reminds me of Norm Foster’s plays, and he’s the most produced Canadian playwright.

When Judy suggested that we move our August 25, 2012 meeting to Theatre Orangeville New Play Development Event, I was delighted. Judy and I’d been to a previous event. Five of us attended this.

I can’t wait to see the final Near Mrs. hopefully at Theatre Orangeville.

Imagine, unbeknownst to me, besides the reading, they had a complimentary wine and cheese reception. It doesn't get any better than this.

We mingled with the actors and some even remembered we were writers. Jamie Mac gave Judy his card in case we needed somebody to read for us.

You missed an awesome afternoon. Who knows, maybe one of us, might write a play.

Meeting Minutes - January 22, 2012

Darn it. Diane was off today and I didn't bring my laptop. Diane, it just isn't the same without you. And now they'll have to read my condensed version of the meeting.

Big thank you to Dorothy who baked us delicious cookies. Dorothy definitely is a keeper. And she is always welcome to join us. Clare told us that they met at a pork roast. Boy, are we every lucky Clare met Dorothy.

Julie http://www.soberjulie.com/
was gracious and gave us an informative talk on blogging.  Here are a few of the many points that Julie shared with us.

• Blog about something that interests you or what you converse about over coffee
• Use your blog as an online personal journal
• Best to post two or three times a week
• You're invisible if you're not online - a writer needs to be visible
• Email Julie if you have any questions - soberjulie@gmail.com

Sonja volunteered to post on our blog. A few people said they were unable to sign on to our blog.
I will email info regarding this.

Judy read a piece called Ask Mathew. He suggested that she start a Blog Conversations with Mathew or Ask Mathew. We can't wait to read it.

Sonja received constructive help re her short story.

Clare read Father Roderick and the Bikers. We can't wait to read it in his column.

We spent most of our meeting time discussing blogs, making constructive comments and discussing writing in general so we have homework should you choose to accept it and we're hoping that you say Yes!

Pick one of Judy's prompts, write for 15 minutes, edit if you wish, and post it on our blog.

1. Stephen King says in his book On Writing, that he has created for himself a "far seeking place" where he goes to receive 'telepathic messages." His is in his basement. Where is yours? Describe it. If it's a state of mind rather than a place, how do you get into it?
2. Describe your most terrifying experience in a car.
3. In his book On Writing, Stephen King writes (in response to an incident where a teacher called a story he wrote trash): "I think I was forty before I realized that almost every writer of fiction and poetry who has ever published a line has been accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write (paint, dance, sculpt, or sing) I suppose someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that's all."
   
   Can you remember a time as a child or young adult when someone rained on your parade?
4. She grabbed the screw driver, which lay on the kitchen counter, and lunged at  . . .
5. She could feel her face flushing and her heart rate accelerating, every time he placed his "hungry man"
   frozen dinners on the conveyor belt in her check-out line.
6. It happened the summer Margaret moved into the attic.
7. The ring of keys hanging from his belt jangled with each step he took.
8. The door had neither key hole, or door knob.
9. That morning we had a mother but by suppertime we didn't.
10. An old rusty key fell from the shelf.
11. Or make up your own line or whatever you want to write about . . .

Can't wait to read your writing!