Tuesdays with Story

Writer’s Mail for December 14, 2013

“An action taken goes on reverberating forever. Cause never ceases its effects. You can’t let go…. You can only change sides.” –Words of Padma, a supporting character in the Hugo Award winning science fiction novel Soldier, Ask Not by Gordon R. Dickson (DAW Books, 1967)

Tuesday Night at the Monroe Street Arts Center…
Eight Tuesday with Story members — Jen, Katelin, Karen, Terry, Holly, Ruth, Kristen, and Ryan — gathered for the Second-and-Fourth Group meeting Dec. 10 to hear and discuss the work of three members. Thanks to Katelin Cummins for reporting!

December 10: Holly Bonnicksen-Jones (chapter, Coming Up for Air), Deb Kellerman (chapter, Crossing Guard), Ryan Wagner (short story), and Carol Hornung (scene, Ghost of Heffron College). Meeting at Monroe Street Art Center, 2526 Monroe Street.

Ryan Wagner read five poems. Katelin liked “No to Holiday Shopping” and “Highlights of Livestock.” She said both communicated their concepts strongly and clearly. Jen and Kristen thought the first two poems Ryan read seemed linked. The first one seemed like “going through the motions and about to hit rock bottom,” and the second was like an awakening. Holly liked “Bad Circle” – especially its title — but the poem felt disjointed to her. Maybe that was good? In the second poem, Ryan read, Terry and Holly were reminded of the cult Heaven’s Gate with the phrase “gate of heaven.” Holly suggested not repeating the same words in the different poems unless with intentional effect: Make sure every word is the best word.

Holly Bonnicksen-Jones read from Coming Up for Air. Ruth suggested taking out many commas. Kristen pointed out repetition of words in the same paragraph. Kristen also thought the protagonist’s wallowing was too much, especially because she has a teenage daughter. Kristen wants Liza to pull herself out of it instead of having her friend rescue her. There was no evidence that Liza was a strong character before the personal disaster. Terry said Liza throwing her husband’s clothes out the window could be her picking herself up and deciding not to be a victim. Perhaps Liza should stay at her house and be there when Mike comes over for his stuff. Conflict is good to include, Terry added. Jen suggested considering whether Liza wants to talk to Mike. Katelin thought it was okay for Faye to rescue Liza so early in the book. Kristen and Katelin suggested showing or telling the reader somehow about the contrast of “the current Liza” versus “the old Liza.” Kristen would like it more clear what Liza is missing that she doesn’t have anymore. Also, is four bottles of wine too much? If Liza’s not a big drinker, it wouldn’t take very much for her to get drunk.

Kristen brought in her manuscript of Carpe Diem. Members talked about her recent experience with professional editing.

Tuesday with Ocarinas
Reporting on the December 10 meeting, Ruth Imhoff sent this message:

Hey gang, last night Second-and-Fourth got on the topic of ocarinas and I thought I’d send out some info to share!

Here is a link to the Teacarina, the musical cup, and a video of someone playing Can Can on it:
http://www.stlocarina.com/teacarina.html

Here is the giant multi-chamber ocarina and its video of final fantasy music: http://www.stlocarina.com/squadruple.html

Enjoy!

Who’s Up Next . . .
December 17: Lisa McDougal (chapter, Tebow Family Secret), Andy Pfeiffer (chapter, The Void), Bob Kralapp (?), Pat Edwards (?), Judith McNeil (chapter 8, My Mother, Savior of Men), and Jerry Peterson (chapters 20-21, Capitol Crimes). Meeting at Alicia Ashman Branch Library, Old Sauk Road and High Point, starting at 6:45 p.m.

However, Jerry Peterson reports, three scheduled members had not posted their chapters, short stories, or poems for Tuesday evening.

“If anyone has something they would like us to critique Tuesday evening,” Jerry says, “go ahead and post. The first three who do get the slots.”

December 24: ’Tis the night before Christmas with no TWS meeting. Instead, sugar plums may dance in our heads. And to all a good night!

January 7: Lisa McDougal (chapter, Tebow Family Secret), Amber Boudreau (chapter 26, Noble), Cindi Dyke (chapter 2, North Road), Millie Mader (chapter 50, Life on Hold), Ruth Imhoff (chapter, Motto of the Hound), and Jerry Peterson (chapters 22-23, Capitol Crimes). Meeting at Barnes & Noble Westside starting at our regular time of 7:00 p.m.

January 14: Karen Zethmayr (page of pop-up book instructions), Holly Bonnicksen-Jones (chapter 6, Coming Up For Air), Deb Kellerman (chapter 3 of recent work), Carol Hornung (chapter, Ghost of Heffron College), Ryan Wagner (poems).

Words to Retire?
Rick Newman, writing in The Exchange, offers “15 Words and Phrases We Should Retire in 2013.” See http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/15-words-and-phrases-we-should-retire-in-2013-210700565.html

Seasonal Affective Newsletter Editor…
Winter Solstice is upon us. Send the titles of your favorite remedies for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) to Clayton.

Poems welcome, too!
Pat Edwards is editing Writer’s Mail for January and we’re recruiting for February. Editing our newsletter is a sure cure for SAD.

The Last Word . . .
“But, thou knowest, winter tames man, woman and beast; for it hath tamed my old master and my new mistress and myself….” –Grumio to Curtis in Act 4, Scene 1 of Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare