Tuesdays With Story
April 16, 2024
Please see note below from Larry regarding Fifth Tuesday (April 30, 2024)
First Word…
“The lyf so short, the craft so long to lerne” – Chaucer, Geoffrey
Tuesday evening…
Seven TWS writer attended the meeting via Google Meet, five of which read from their works in progress. Larry mentioned Jack’s surgery went well and he is recovering. We had Johanna N. participate from Michigan but will not be joining the group.
Here is a summary of what was said:
Jaime N. – The group took up a couple chapters of New York, After All. It was suggested to describe the setting of the comedy club a little more. Suzanne asked if Lindyhop could have more of a reaction to the surprising joke that was told. Kashmira suggested that not all the planes would be gone if there are private planes, which fits with a theme of the book. Bob pointed out the club chapter is disorienting in a good way but lacks the energy of the previous version. Larry likes Alexei’s character. He suggested re-looking at the past and past perfect tenses. Thanks, all!
Mike A. – “Waiting for Coffee as a Measurement of Time.” This short piece got some great reviews and encouraging comments. Some of you liked the title, others did not. Some liked the thoughts on the eyes being the window to the soul, others did not. Everyone liked the monolog and reading about the subject’s pain, and all of the comments were helpful. Thanks everyone for your comments and encouragement!
Kashmira S. & Amit T. – If Not For the Partition, Chs. 43-45)
—Kedar’s response (after the rewrite) to his situation is now much stronger.
—Descriptive writing about Mumbai is very well done.
—A bit of confusion regarding time of the day was felt. Need to revise that.
Larry F. S. – Brother’s Blood, Ch.11–In Commander Barr’s geostrategic musing, he should mention Hirohito by name, as he does with Hitler and Mussolini. Why is Jag staying in Washington all summer after the cruise? Is he trying to avoid his family? Does he feel guilty about Harold’s injury? Maybe a letter from home, perhaps from Dorie, would precipitate some good internalities. Thanks all.
Kashmira S. – Kashmira submitted three picture books.
The response was positive for all three of the books. There was a question about how some things will be illustrated for Walls. Maybe it was better suited for adult flash fiction. Jungle Meeting was more refined. Imagination has shifts in the text that is jarring. Jaime suggested that maybe it needs some kind of palate cleanser. 🙂
Thank you all.
Here’s who’s up on May 8…
Mike A.
Amit T. and Kashmira S.
Jaime N. N.
Suzanne G.
Our Editor for May…
Suzanne Gillingham will serve as editor of Writer’s Newsletter. You have her email – use it.
News…
From Larry…
On April 30 at 7:00 pm we will hold OUR TRADITIONAL FIFTH TUESDAY GATHERING at my place. I know that Suzanne, Mike, and I will be here, with good food. We three will enjoy ourselves regardless, but it sure would be nice if we had a bigger turnout, so please come. Send me an email and let me know you are planning to attend.
For this fifth Tuesday, our first in some time, there is no writing prompt. Just bring yourself, a guest of your choosing, if you choose, and a dish to pass. We here will provide paper plates, cups, napkins, and utensils, plus one or two main dishes. So bring a main dish, a dessert, a salad or appetizer. We’ll have iced tea, raspberry-lemon Crystal Light, some kind of wine and some kind of beer–but if you have exquisite tastes for something exotic like soda pop or Château Lafitte-Rothschild, feel free to bring your own.
Please respond fairly soon, because it’s less than two weeks away, and I relish the pleasure of anticipating your company.
We will not be Zooming this get-together, but you are welcome to attend in person from New York or Virginia if it suits you.
Cheers,
Lar
(Update: Seven total gathered at Larry’s place for a wonderful meal and fellowship.)
Last Word…
“Writing a book is an adventure. To begin with it is a toy and an amusement. Then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, then it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public.”
-Winston Churchill