Tuesdays with Story

Tuesdays with Story
3/5/22

The first word . . .

“When I sit down to write a book, I do not say to myself, ‘I am going to produce a work of art.’ I write it because there is some lie that I want to expose, some fact to which I want to draw attention, and my initial concern is to get a hearing.” — George Orwell

Tuesday evening. . .

Nine TWS writers attended March first meeting.  

— Bob (Slow Dancing Under the Mirror Ball, part 1)

There were many comments that the small-town setting was believable and that the conversations sounded real. The homecoming parade needs work on two points. The first is showing a stronger connection between the temperature of a snowy day and how the townspeople are dressed. The second concerns making Bernie a stronger or more continuous presence.

— Larry F. Sommers (Memoir, “Knox Segment”)

Larry F. Sommers presented a “Knox segment” from his projected memoir. Jack and Kashmira wanted a more affective, rather than descriptive, approach. John suggested there’s too much telling, not enough scene-making. Kashmira said the first day in the new school would be a good scene. John, Jerry, and Kashmira would have appreciated a bit more precision in the statement of geographic relationships. Thanks, everybody, for helping me with this bit of retro-intro-spection.

— John Schneller (Precious Daughter, Chapter 31)

A consensus between readers said that more drama is needed in the opening encounter between Kotel and crew when they reach the slave ships. Jamie suggested Nia and Jed are secured so they can see action in detail. Jack and Larry wanted much greater flames instead of a warning shot into the sails. The author’s resistance was overcome. Smoke and flames will rise! 

— Mike Austin (Hunter’s Moon)

Hunter’s Moon was very well received for the most part. I see that I need to do some proofreading and editing. Amber felt that Connor and the boys were hard to like. I’m still trying to decide if I really want them to be likable. People had a lot of empathy for Bucky. And then John savaged my ending, ripped it to shreds, and threw it in my face. Well, figuratively. But he made a good point that when Bucky came up with a plan to get away, a lot of the tension was lost. Thanks everyone!

— Kashmira Sheth (Journey to Swaraj Chapters 3-6)

Kashmira submitted Journey to Swaraj chapters. John felt that there was much repetition about Veena’s thoughts. Jack had comments about certain sections that needed more clarity and depth. Larry wanted more about the martial art that Veena is learning at the boarding school. Overall, the comment was that the story is moving at a good pace.

—Jerry Peterson (Night Fight, Chapters 35-36)

March 14, here’s who’s on deck

Bob Kralapp (Slow Dancing Under the Mirror Ball, Part 2)

John Schneller, Precious Daughter (chapter)

Mike Austin, Hunter’s Moon (continued)

Jack Freiburger ???

Kashmira Sheth (JWS Chapters)

There is one more slot available if someone wants to submit.

Our editor for the next March meeting:

Kashmira Sheth will edit the March issues of Writer’s Mail. She’s always looking for good things to include. If you have something, do email it to Kashmira.

Good News from Larry…

Larry’s book will be published on August 23! Please check out Larry’s Facebook to see the book cover and read the blurb.

Congratulations, Larry!!!

Fifth Tuesday…

Jerry’s suggestion, with a slight edit from Larry, is: “Those darn(ed) masks.” As Jerry explained, it could be about the face masks we use for COVID, or any other kind of mask people want to write about.

A Contest for You…

Since the deadline is March 15, I am including this contest again in the newsletter.

Every year at this time the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters runs a contest shot at those among us who write short stories.

Key things to know:

— The maximum length for a story is 6,000 words.

— The story must not have been published previously.

— Deadline for entry is March 15.

— Entry fee, $15. That’s cheap.

— You have to be a Wisconsin resident. Our colleagues in New York and Virginia, sorry.

The top winner gets a check for $500 and a week’s artist residency at the Shake Rag Center for the Arts in Mineral Point.

Second place gets $250 and third, $100.

All three will read their stories at this year’s Wisconsin Book Festival,. and all three will have their stories published in the Wisconsin People & Ideas magazine.

Here’s the link to what you need to know and do to enter: https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/magazine/fiction-contest

You also can read past winners’ stories at that link. Click on the story titles to do so.

The last word . . .  “A successful book is not made of what is in it, but what is left out of it.”