Tuesdays with Story

Writer’s Mail for Tuesday July 22nd, 2014

“No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” ― Robert Frost

Deb starts out reading Chapter 4 of The Crossing Guard. Katelin likes how the kids were all giggling together. Rebecca had questions about Rose attempting to interrupt Allie, and Rose commenting on Tony. Katelin suggested reorganizing a paragraph. Deb talks about Allie’s job as a reporter for the school paper. Rebecca suggests having a reporter for Allie to look up to. Karen asks about the age of the characters. Katelin has an idea for a scene between Matt, Allie, and Rose all talking about the Crossing Guard. Rebecca sees this as a study of gossip in a school.

Rebecca reads from Chapter 2 of Lookout. Karen thinks an explanation of muscle memory would help. Katelin suggests if Ang would wonder before she ate the mouse if she would get a muscle memory. Deb feels like perspective changes. Everyone discusses changing the term for muscle memory. Katelin likes that Ang catches the mouse in this rewrite. Jen comments about wording in one area.

Jen reads from Chapter 2 of her untitled story. Rebecca asks about specifying where the blue flashing veins are located. Katelin likes a sentence about Hibiki not processing what she’s seeing. Rebecca comments that maybe there should be more sound, more description of the environment. Ruth thinks they are too mechanical in their movements. Karen is confused as to whether Hibiki is holding a sword or not.

Who’s Up Next:
August 5th : Amber Boudreau (chapters, Stone), Andy Pfeiffer (chapters, The Void), Millie Mader (chapter 56, Life on Hold), Kashmira Sheth & Amit Trivedi (chapter 5, novel),Bob Kralapp (short story part 6, “Hole in the Wall”), and Jerry Peterson (chapters,Rubbed Out).

August 12th: Rebecca (Lookout, Chapter 3)
Liam (Prisoner of the Gods, Chapter)
Jen (Untitled novel, end of chapter 1)
Room for 3 more readers! Email Katelin to get on the schedule.

August 19: Lisa McDougal (chapter, Tebow Family Secret), Andy Brown (chapter, Man Before the Fall), Cindi Dyke (chapter, North Road), Pat Edwards (???), Amber Boudreau (chapters, Stone), and Judith McNeil (chapter 16 My Mother, Savior of Men).

Editors:
Ruth Imhoff is the July editor.
Katelin Cummins takes on the job in August.

5th Tuesday!!

The next Fifth Tuesday will be July 29!
Rebecca Rettenmund will host. Bring a lawn or folding chair for yourself if you have one. If the weather is nice, there may be a bonfire!

This is a potluck, so please bring some food to share!

The Challenge
What if your character could tell you what he or she thinks about your writing? Maybe she doesn’t like how you portrayed her, or he hates what you’re doing to his life in the story. Your character’s rant or diatribe is your 250 word challenge piece.

Bring a print out of your own story to share at the gathering for fun. Email your masterpiece to Katelin by July 30 so it can be included in the next newsletter. That means you have up until the Fifth Tuesday to complete it!