July 19th,
The meeting was chaired by Vice-President Bill Barrett in the absence of President Jean Lamb. In addition to eight regular members three guests attended: Richard Drazil, Don White and Alyssa.
Ed Silling read "Up the Mountain at Last" from his 19th Century historical novel of the British Navy. It featured Ed's usual wonderful descriptions and several humorous passages. His punctuation (or lack thereof) on back-stories by his characters generated considerable discussion.
Genevieve Day read the prologue & opening chapter to her Western historical novel, "Never Say". This was a revision of her first draft. It was much tighter, but still had excellent details and an improved rendition of the back-story.
Lisa Davis read the opening chapter of a humorous novel, "Love Thy Neighbor", which was well received for a first draft. The big issue was whether a chimpanzee is a monkey or an ape.
Richard Drazil read "Lilith" from his self-published political philosophy book "Love Lost." The subject matter generated considerable controversy, although the craftsmanship itself seemed competent. Because of the intense discussion Richard stirred up, the meeting didn't adjourn until 9:15, when the janitor showed up.
Next meeting will be August 2.
July 5th,
Monday's meeting on the 5th was less crowded than it could have been, but it was a holiday weekend. However, we had a new member join. Her name is Angel Shanholtzer, and we're pleased to have her (thanks, Bonnie, for bringing her).
The first reader was Bill Barrett with a new chapter of his invasion novel--it was a rewrite of an old one, and vastly improved. Shirley Leggett followed with a poem, and Angel came after that with a short children's book about Gizmo the Guinea Pig. The last reader was Maggie Wood with the first part of the first chapter of a new novel.
The meeting adjourned around 8:45. I will not be here on the 19th, and Bill Barrett will run the meeting (while I lie around in Las Vegas and try to perfect my blackjack system. Can I call it research if I write about a gambler?).
June 21st,
Our meeting on Monday, June 21, 2010 began at 6:30, and we had 7 members in attendance. Maggie Wood brought the mail, and we were all pleased to see that our post office box is now good for another year. We had four readers, and time for three of them (Bill Barrett will read first next meeting on the 5th). The first reader was Shirley Leggett, who had a poem. The next reader was Ed Silling, who continued his exploration of his island’s phantasmagoric side. The third reader was Genevieve Day, who brought us the beginning of a new Western novel. We had an extensive discussion after that about characters, and how to expand characters even if they appear for only a little while. Many suggestions were offered on how to expand that first chapter based on the hints already offered in it. The meeting adjourned a few minutes after 9. Bill plans to pick up the keys on July 2nd, so we should be able to meet on the 5th even though it will be a Monday holiday.
June 7th,
The first meeting of the Klamath Writers Guild for June 2010 began at 6:30 pm at our (relatively) new meeting place. You'll notice I didn't say 'came to order'. Maggie Wood brought in the mail, and we decided to pay our post office box and annual corporation dues on the spot. Lisa Davis submitted her Treasurer's Report and we had $467 either on hand or in the bank prior to the payments of $44 for the P.O. box and the $50 for the corporation dues.
We had 11 people attend. The first reader was Genevieve Day, who submitted three different, page long pieces for our critique. The second (and last) reader was Ed Silling, who read another excerpt from the Tyke novel. It's always interesting to see someone step beyond the bounds of standard narrative, and we all had opinions on whether it worked or not.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30.
The next meeting is on June 21st. See you there
May 17th
Monday's meeting began at 6:30 (more or less) at the new location on 4th street. Admittedly, it is nice not to have to climb stairs, even if the room is a bit on the chilly side. We had 11 members attending, including Kay Lawson whom we have not seen for quite some time. The first reader was Ed Silling, whom we also have not seen for a while, who read from part of the Midshipman Tyke saga. The second reader was Dr. Ken Magee, who read one of his episodes from Indonesia during his time on Northwest Medical Team. The final reader was Bill Barrett, who read a new chapter from his novel about the little-known invasion of the U.S. by the Soviets. The meeting adjourned a little after 9 pm, with absolutely no sign of the janitorial team we had been assured was so very prompt.