Meeting Notes from January 19, 2020

We discussed possible dates for this year's Open Mic Night. Thursday, April 30th was settled upon. Due to the change in the library's hours, the event will take place from 6pm to 8pm.

There is a giant book sale in Elora on May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Members of the group are going to go together on Saturday, May 2nd, to fill up their book bags.

We discussed more ideas for events in 2020. An informal event surrounding NaNoWriMo in November will be proposed to the library. It was also suggested we do a Beta Reader Day at one of our meetings inviting authors of the community to participate.

Continue to work on your writing prompts and submit them to Virginia for the anthology. We are hoping to publish this fall.

Writing Prompts

1. Even a kick in the butt is a step forward.

2. You go for a walk in fresh snow. Suddenly you realize you're not leaving any footprints.

3. He stared at the lottery ticket and read the numbers eleven times before he was sure.

4. Tell a story about a celebrity meeting you.

5. Her job interview did not go so well.

6. Write a story about someone cleaning out their attic. They find an old piece of clothing, and inside of the pocket is an old keepsake.

7. Write about a character's secret area of expertise, something most of their acquaintances would be surprised to learn they know tons about.

8. "You're early," he finally says.

Next Meeting:

Sunday, February 9th, 1:30pm

Leader: Sonja

3rd Annual Open Mic Night

The 3rd Annual Open Mic Night took place on Tuesday, April 23rd at the Orangeville Public Library. We maxed out at 15 participants again and had a good crowd.

Dufferin County's Poet Laureate Harry Posner hosted and shared some of his poetry.

Linda Rebhan read some of her poetry

Emma Pink works at Mochaberry, a local coffee shop. "Words have the power to change lives," she said as she spoke on the coffee and words connection.

Clare McCarthy read from his latest work, "Growing Old Isn't For Wimps", a reflection on aging.

M.J. Moores read from her steampunk novel "Shadow Phoenix".

A rapt audience.

Marilyn Kleiber read from "The Healers", the second book in a series of myth/fantasy novels written under the name J.M. Tibbott. The first book is called "The Arrival". Book 3 of a possible 7 books is currently in the works.

Matt Griffin was his usual peculiar but very entertaining self. His impersonations of Jimmy Stewart and Kermit the Frog were on point.

Winston Utenbogaart read from his book of poetry "Leaves O'er Weathered Stones". We heard "From My Heartfelt Store", "By The Table Lamp" and "Dusky Evenings".

Eight-time published author of cozy mysteries, Diane Bator read from the first of her new series of Glitter Bay Mysteries, "All That Sparkles".

Dancer, choreographer, director and writer, Roland Kirouac entertained us with details of his memoir "Message From a Fool".

Andrew Welch read from his first book "The Value Crisis - from dollars to democracy, why numbers are ruining our world". He shared with us Chapter 8 - Numbering Our Days.

Healer, author and motorcycle enthusiast, Liz Jansen read from her memoir, a collection of stories, "Women, Motorcycles and the Road to Empowerment".

Jenn Crole read the poem "Current", inspired by the beauty in all things.

David Mcguinn shared his poetry on meditation and nature.

Judy Zarowny read three poems on the topic of relationships. "The Argument", "Fix Me", and "Forfeit".

Our talented group of writers!

See you next year!

2019 Open Mic Night

2nd Annual Open Mic Night

On Thursday, April 19th, we had another great turn-out this year at our 2nd Annual Open Night Mic in cooperation with the Orangeville Public Library. Many thanks to the library for staying open when we ran overtime.

Dufferin County Poet Laureate Harry Posner hosted again this year. He opened with some poetry consisting of "Every Year", written as prompted by the recent spring storms; and "I want" about poetry. He also announced the upcoming Day of Poets taking place all around downtown Orangeville on Saturday, May 5th, from 11am to 4pm.

First up was Clare McCarthy, columnist for The Orangeville Banner newspaper and Headwaters Writers' Guild member, who read a short story he wrote from a writing prompt at group entitled "It's in the Bag".

Darlane Rogers-Wardle read a poem about turning 49, and another poem prompted by a fellow teacher who had passed away but wrote as if it were she who died. She then read a humourous children's short story called "I'm In The Play".

Newest Headwaters Writers' Guild member Ron Langevin read a set of triptych (3 separate panels related by theme) short stories. The theme of Traffic consisted of the humourous stories "Stop Already", "Psychics" and "Guardian Angels". We are fortunate to have Ron join the Headwaters Writers' Guild.

Headwaters Writers Guild founder Nancy Rorke read the story "Broken Promises" which won the Click, Create, Celebrate contest through the Caledon Library, and was published in In The Hills Magazine.

We welcomed Matt Griffin back again this year. Always entertaining, he showed his wide range of talent through a comedic essay wherein he regaled us with the voices of Jimmy Stewart, Pee Wee Herman, Bruce Lee, Neil Young, Stompin' Tom Connors, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Pink Floyd, and Andy Kaufman.

Headwaters Writers' Guild member Marilyn Kleiber read from her new book "The Arrival". Writing under the name L.M. Tibbott, she took a page from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling wherein she didn't want readers of this fantasy novel to know the gender of the author. "The Arrival" is now available at Amazon and at the independent book store The Bookshelf in Guelph.

Well known Orangeville author Diane Bator read an excerpt from her very first publication, a novella entitled "Murder on Manitou". She has since published 7 mystery novels.

At intermission this crowd were given the opportunity to speak with the authors and purchase some of their publications. Thank you to those who supported our local authors.

After intermission Patricia Gallant spoke briefly about her 14 years of experience with the Headwaters Writers' Guild (photo not available). Harry Posner read a poem he wrote about Leonard Cohen.

We welcomed back local author M.J. Moores a hybrid author of new adult speculative fiction and romantic suspense. She is an active member of Writer's Ink, Caledon, the Bradford Writers' Circle, and is Chairperson for the Writers' Community of York Region. She read an excerpt from "Proprietary Measures" to be published in November 2018.

Winston Uytenboogaart returned this year to share some poems he had published as a result of reading at last year's Open Mic Night.

Natalie Merritt-Broderick, writer of novels and poetry, read some poetry on her interpretation of life. "The Dot", "A Christmas Memory", "Flower Power", "Understanding", "Standing Tall", and "Freedom" were among the poems she read.

Jonathan Neville was very animated with his random thoughts about life. He teaches Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Blues, Gymnastic, Square and Circle dances, as well as Creative Workout fitness classes, helping people grow imagination while they grow fit. Harry Posner described his presentation as a metaphysical swing dance.

Headwaters Writers' Guild member June Duncan read from her upcoming fourth novel "From The Junk".

David McGuinn is an aspiring writer & poet who recited from memory an assortment of entertaining poems.

Thank you to everyone who chose our 2nd Annual Open Mic Night over the Toronto  Maple Leafs playoff game. We look forward to another successful event next year!

Please remember the Day of Poets on Saturday, May 5th throughout downtown Orangeville from 11am to 4pm.

Headwaters Writers' Guild 2nd Annual Open Mic Night

Meeting Notes Sunday, February 11, 2018

The poster for our Open Mic Night at the library is out! We're looking for another fabulous turn-out this year. If anyone would like to post a post anywhere please advise or pick one up from the Orangeville Public Library stating you are with the HWG. I will also post this on a separate blog post.

Marilyn had copies for sale of her new book under a nom de plume. It can be purchased at Amazon.

Writing Prompts (from quotes):

1. Pull up your big girl panties and just deal with it.

2. What happens at Grandma's house stays at Grandma's house.

3. Some Friends: Some friends know all about us and like us just the same. They accept us as we are, not asking us to change. They never criticize us while listening to our views. They stay when other leave and speak when others refuse. There aren't many friends like that, and precious few I claim, but at the top of my list I've proudly written your name.

Next Meeting:

Sunday, February 25th, 1:30pm

Sonja is leading

April 2, 2017, Meeting Minutes

We received our posters for the Writers' Open Mic Night (see previous post). They were distributed among members who were willing to post them in establishments around town. 

Harry shared information about the following event: Check this out, then join us on Apr 27th for the grand launch of the newest mouthy zine-kid on the block. The first issue will be available at the event and it's all free! And there'll be ice cream - yum. Come on out and get all coolio social with each other and help us celebrate the newest coolest hippest artsiest edgiest mag-zine in the area.

Sonja led the meeting this week and came with a sheet of "fake" fortune cookie prompts as well as a bag of tasty, crunchy, real fortune cookies.

The prompts - At the end of your meal at a Chinese Restaurant, you receive a fortune cookie. You crack it open to reveal a hand written note that says:

1. He's not who he says he is. Ask Annie.
2. I know it was you.
3. Karma is a bitch sweetheart.
4. Will you marry me?
5. Your food has been poisoned. Call 911!
6. You will be mine.
7. They're holding me prisoner! Call the police!
8. Go to the kitchen for a BIG surprise.
9. Union Station. 2pm Sunday under the big clock. Woman in the red hat.
10. Meet me at Motel 6 at 11 p.m.

OR

Pick a fortune cookie from the bag and write something from the fortune inside.

These prompts generated a lot of creativity among the members present. Some used a prompt from above, some used their cookie prompt, some used both.

Please share your writing on this blog.

Our next meeting is Sunday, April 23, 2017, at 1:30pm. Clare will be leading.

BUT BEFORE THEN

We will see you at the Open Mic Night on Thursday, April 20th, 7pm at the Orangeville Public Library

Writers' Open Mic Night - April 20th

HWG Meeting March 5, 2017

Discussion surrounded the upcoming Open Mic Night (name to be confirmed) on April 20th at the Orangeville Public Library. Harry Posner will be the M.C. while Diane Bator will be our featured speaker. An official email account has been sent up for the Headwaters Writers' Guild (hwg5.writers@gmail.com) to be used as a contact email and for registration for the upcoming event. Four members in attendance verbally registered for the event; they will be sent a confirmation email.

Diane is now working at Theatre Orangeville. She informed us that they are now selling tickets for A Literary Pairing - a fundraiser for their New Play Development Fun - organized by Nancy Frater, owner of BookLore in Orangeville. This 2-night event consisting of five authors takes place on Tuesday, March 28th and Tuesday, May 16th, beginning at 7pm at The Opera House. Tickets are $25 for one night or $40 for both. Diane will forward a poster when she has it.

As leader this week, Nancy encouraged us to consider why we write as a prompt (or to take another prompt from the bag).

Why do you write? Have you always wanted to write? When did you discover that writing was important to you? Do you call yourself a writer? Natalie Goldberg suggests that if you write you should call yourself a writer.

How did you become a writer? What steps did you take? Did you join a writing group, and did that help you? Did anybody mentor you?

When did you start writing? Did you have any challenges and what were they? Some people start pieces and then never finish them. What problem do you have? Do you have a solution?

What do you prefer to write? Do you believe that writing is your calling or purpose? Do you write for the money or do you do it for the joy of it? Do you journal to discover who you really are? What motivates you? What hinders you?

Have you read a book that helped your writing?

Do you record your dreams as prompts for your writing? Many authors glean ideas from their dreams? What methods do you use?

If you stopped writing, what would help you start again?

All are encouraged to share their writing from the above and other prompts on this blog.

Five members brought two books for the Blind Book Exchange. Ten members were in attendance so every member got to take a wrapped book home to read and, we hope, review on this blog.

The next meeting is Sunday, March 19th.

Judy will be leading.