Welcome to the Gamlingay District Writers' Group newsletter for July 2015. We are a friendly, informal group whose aim is to improve our writing through encouraging each other, and by regularly entering
competitions. It is always great if you can write something on topic but if you have something else you are working on we would love to see it.
1. Review of targets
The theme for July was "Songs and Song Titles”. A small but good variety of submissions. Songs were used as inspiration, song titles incorporated into stories and song lyrics wound into themes. As usual we encourage members to feed back individual comments to members who were not able to make the meeting this month. Writers can also submit off topic if they wish to and are working on anything.
2. News from members
One of our members has completed the first draft of their book and is now having it proof read. He gave us a fantastic top tip: "when proof reading change the font of your copy and read backwards to easily see mistakes in your own writing".
3. Other news
We will be looking to move back upstairs at the Potton community Centre for future meetings. Watch this space for news on when that move will be and any potential date changes. For now we continue to be downstairs at the Potton community Centre 2nd Tuesday of every month.
At the end of our meetings we will be putting aside time to have a discussion around a pre-agreed topic. This could be discussions around proof reading, top tips on daily writing practise, how to create ideas for copy - anything members would find helpful to discuss and share ideas around. Members are asked to come to the next meeting with some ideas and requests for topics of your own.
4. Discussion of work
Our first writer to share their work had written their own song within a story. Part of a piece to be published, it had a sense of dread that was palpable. The dialogue was great but not too heavy.
Another entry was written around a Dolly Parton Song - Letter to Heaven. A cleverly moving story around the loss of loved ones with a sad and poignant ending.
One Member started their piece by writing the last words and then working backwards! By Picking song titles first and writing their story around them it created a fast paced, lively piece.
Paul Simon's 'I am a Rock' was used to inspire one member who used the song as inspiration for his writing. By leaving it ambiguous at the end - the clear characters and great setting inspired different takes and ideas about 'what happened next' from the rest of the group.
5. Aims for the coming months
You can find this year's programme of topics on our website at http://gamlingaywriters.weebly.com/
August's task is to write about Adventures abroad. Have you ever had an adventure or holiday overseas turn into a disaster? If you haven't make one up.
The deadline is Tuesday 4th August 2015 at midnight and the next meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 11th August 2015 downstairs in the Potton community building, do contact us at [email protected] if you would like to join us.
Coming Up: September's task is to write about Ghosts and Ghouls. Do you still have monsters living under your bed, or do things go bump in the night? Tell us what really makes your heart rise up into your throat with fright! Deadline 01/09/2015 - Meeting at 7pm on 08/09/2015
If you are part of the group and are unable to attend a meeting, you can still have your work discussed if you wish. Please inform us before the meeting and we will gather feedback into a short summary which will be sent to you after the meeting. This will hopefully encourage our 'virtual' members who are unable to attend each meeting to be able to continue to contribute their work for discussion.
6. Tips and competitions
Mslexia Women's novel competition is currently open (Deadline 21st September 2015) Find more info here: mslexia.co.uk/competition/novel-competition
1st prize is £5,000 with the winner and four finalists receiving manuscript feedback from the Literacy Consultancy and an invitation to attend a special networking event.
competitions. It is always great if you can write something on topic but if you have something else you are working on we would love to see it.
1. Review of targets
The theme for July was "Songs and Song Titles”. A small but good variety of submissions. Songs were used as inspiration, song titles incorporated into stories and song lyrics wound into themes. As usual we encourage members to feed back individual comments to members who were not able to make the meeting this month. Writers can also submit off topic if they wish to and are working on anything.
2. News from members
One of our members has completed the first draft of their book and is now having it proof read. He gave us a fantastic top tip: "when proof reading change the font of your copy and read backwards to easily see mistakes in your own writing".
3. Other news
We will be looking to move back upstairs at the Potton community Centre for future meetings. Watch this space for news on when that move will be and any potential date changes. For now we continue to be downstairs at the Potton community Centre 2nd Tuesday of every month.
At the end of our meetings we will be putting aside time to have a discussion around a pre-agreed topic. This could be discussions around proof reading, top tips on daily writing practise, how to create ideas for copy - anything members would find helpful to discuss and share ideas around. Members are asked to come to the next meeting with some ideas and requests for topics of your own.
4. Discussion of work
Our first writer to share their work had written their own song within a story. Part of a piece to be published, it had a sense of dread that was palpable. The dialogue was great but not too heavy.
Another entry was written around a Dolly Parton Song - Letter to Heaven. A cleverly moving story around the loss of loved ones with a sad and poignant ending.
One Member started their piece by writing the last words and then working backwards! By Picking song titles first and writing their story around them it created a fast paced, lively piece.
Paul Simon's 'I am a Rock' was used to inspire one member who used the song as inspiration for his writing. By leaving it ambiguous at the end - the clear characters and great setting inspired different takes and ideas about 'what happened next' from the rest of the group.
5. Aims for the coming months
You can find this year's programme of topics on our website at http://gamlingaywriters.weebly.com/
August's task is to write about Adventures abroad. Have you ever had an adventure or holiday overseas turn into a disaster? If you haven't make one up.
The deadline is Tuesday 4th August 2015 at midnight and the next meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 11th August 2015 downstairs in the Potton community building, do contact us at [email protected] if you would like to join us.
Coming Up: September's task is to write about Ghosts and Ghouls. Do you still have monsters living under your bed, or do things go bump in the night? Tell us what really makes your heart rise up into your throat with fright! Deadline 01/09/2015 - Meeting at 7pm on 08/09/2015
If you are part of the group and are unable to attend a meeting, you can still have your work discussed if you wish. Please inform us before the meeting and we will gather feedback into a short summary which will be sent to you after the meeting. This will hopefully encourage our 'virtual' members who are unable to attend each meeting to be able to continue to contribute their work for discussion.
6. Tips and competitions
Mslexia Women's novel competition is currently open (Deadline 21st September 2015) Find more info here: mslexia.co.uk/competition/novel-competition
1st prize is £5,000 with the winner and four finalists receiving manuscript feedback from the Literacy Consultancy and an invitation to attend a special networking event.