Meeting 9th February
Tom in the chair
Margaret and LesleyMay spoke about the Dunbar NorthLight project (http://northlightdunbar.org/) This will give Dunbar Writers opportunities for participation in a number of events during the summer.
Colin mentioned the StAnza Poetry Festival, 14th to 18th March. The Festival brochure is now available, and can be requested from the website (www.stanzapoetry.org)
LesleyMay distributed invitations to the Artist Book Group exhibition at Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh, Private View Friday 24th Feb, 6-8pm, exhibition 25th Feb – 6th March. www.theartistbookgroup.org.uk
Brenda mentioned the need for a Dunbar rep, who would act as a contact person. liaise with the Library etc. Cindy offered to do this.
The writing prompt was to pick one of the paintings in the current Gibb Room exhibition, and to write something inspired by it.
Tom’s previous prompt was ‘shades of grey’, and it produced some very good interpretations.
His new prompt for his next visit on 8th March is to select a sound you hear between now and the next meeting, and to write from that.
Our next meeting is 23rd February, and the prompt is to write something about your personal connection to Dunbar. (It occurs to me this might be a good basis for a North Light session).
Cheers
Colin
Meeting 26th January
Just an update for those of you who could not make it last night.
We formed a lively group with eight of our members attending. (Julianna has contacted me to explain that over the winter months she won’t be attending. Similarly, Cynthia won’t be attending for a while as she has another project on the go.)
The Business Meeting was discussed and the following mentioned.
- The retention of Tom as the CWF if possible. If we can do this because we have the funding the Dunbar group , in discussion with Tom, would like to alter how the evenings are run.
- the retention of the WOTY and the YWOTY
- the introduction of an in-house competition
- Road shows being brought back
The exercises which was given out at the last meeting and last night’s meeting brought the usual variety of responses and a lot of discussion with us all coming from many different places.
The next meeting’s prompt is ‘Shades of Grey.’ Tom will lead us.
Margaret is going to do the biog. spot.
The meeting on the 23rd will be chaired by Jill. Her prompt is ‘How we Came to Live in Dunbar.’ If we don’t live in the town it could be about how we came to be involved in and to stay with Dunbar Writers.
Best wishes.
Brenda
Meeting 12 January 2012
Lucky 13 members this evening.
We were joined by Margaret – for whom I don’t have contact details.
Tom in the chair.
Brenda asked for feedback on some issues for the Tyne & Esk Writers business plan. Planning meeting is set for 23rd January. Members present expressed their views on possible income generation, such as a subscription scheme, on possible activities, such as the Roadshows, and on other matters.
Tom’s prompt for the writing exercise was ‘phobias’.
His previous prompt was ‘small actions lead to larger consequences’, and that was the theme for the read-round.
During discussions, Judy asked about a guide to poetic forms, and Colin subsequently emailed her with details of a book on the subject. He’ll bring along a couple of books to a future meeting.
Tom will be in Dunbar on 9th February, and his prompt for this is ‘shades of grey’.
Brenda will chair the next meeting, on 26th January, and the prompt for this is ‘the odd one out’.
Colin
Meeting 1st December 2011
Eight members present, Tom in the chair.
Apologies from (among others) Jean, LM, Ellie, Cynthia, Jo, Judy
Business:
Dunbar Sings + Dunbar Writers Festive Concert, Saturday 17th December, 7:30, St Anne’s Church. Seven writers reading: Jill, Ellie, Jo, Rita, Juliana, Brenda, Colin. One piece each or two short poems, but subject to timings. Probably a spot with 3 in the first half, 4 in the second, but will confirm with Karen. Readers asked to come at 7pm
Social evening, 15th December. Colin sends apologies – he will be in Glasgow handing over to the new Makar. Suggest members bring drinks, nibbles and something CHEERFUL to read (thanks Jill).
‘Dunbar closes’ Colin suggests a project for next year, to look at the Dunbar High Street closes, and to write pieces about as many as possible, as a group project.
Brenda asked if anyone had anything for discussion at next week’s Tyne & Esk Committee.
Tom reported on the Lennoxlove T&E event, which played to nearly a full house. Rita represented Dunbar, and read very well. It was a good event for T&E, and we will follow it up for next year. Group thanked Tom for his work on this.
He also reported on the Creative Writing Day. Feedback has been positive, and T&E will consider options for future workshops.
10-minute exercise: “A place that no longer exists” produced some excellent pieces.
Read-round on last month’s prompt: Congratulations, plus some other work on other topics. A very good session.
Tom discussed some ideas for future meetings:
- Maybe instead of a biography we do a session on some technical aspect of writing – point of view, voice, poetic forms etc.
- Detailed analysis of a small section of work in progress.
- Discuss exercise work that has been or will be edited and polished, to show how to approach re-working. He asked us to try this at his next session, or the prompt:
- ‘a small event has larger consequences’
He will be working on his dates soon, and I’ll email round a meeting calendar for next year once this is settled.
Brenda will chair next time.
Colin
Meeting November 17th 2011. 7.30 Chair Jill
Six present.
The biog from Diana opened our eyes to how delightful, varied and funny H E Bates writing is. I think we were all surprised by how many short stories he had written.It was interesting and enjoyable with well chosen readings.
Jill discussed and passed on information about her view of the Writing Day at Haddington Town House. This centred mainly around Cathy Macphail who came to speak about writing for children. Cathy was inspirational and the session involved many useful exercises and lots of sharing ideas and experiences which could spark off plots for stories. It was a session useful to all writers not just those who wished to write for children.
Exercise
The exercise,set by Jill, involved writing about a character who had just experienced a sad or happy event. We then had to set the scene in a place of our own choosing and describe the atmosphere and the character without mentioning the event they had experienced. The results were very varied and insightful.
Judy told us about the successful readings at Lennoxlove where Rita read several pieces and received applause between each one. Well done Rita. Brenda, Tom Colin and Juianna were all involved in the organisation so Dunbar Writers were well represented. ( I hope I havn’t missed anyone out).
We read round pieces inspired by Get Crafty. Several people expressed the idea that it would be good to bring along the pieces we are already working on and test them out as there isn’t always enough head space to switch onto something else.
Tom will chair the next meeting on Thursday 1st December.The ‘homework’ for that is Congratulations.( Thank you Cliff Richards)
15th December Writers’ Social Drinks and eats most welcome and bring something cheerful to read or do.
17th December The writers join the choir to read in the church. So far Ellie, Jill, Jo and Colin have said they will read but will you let Colin know if yoy are happy to read or wish to know more about this event. We have to be there at 7 and the event begins at 7.30. (P.S.: Juliana and Brenda would also like to read)
November 4th Thursday.
Tom chaired the meeting.
Eight people were present and this gave time for more constructive criticism and useful discussion.
The ten minute excercise, given by Tom, was A Gift. The variety of responses was, as usual, interesting and surprising.
Everyone had responded in some way to the homework title, Remember, remember and it was very interesting listening to the results.
Everyone agreed that many thanks are due to Brenda and Tom for all their work involved with The Writer of the Year event.
Dunbar Writers proudly listened as Jean (Prose) and Cindy(Poetry) read out their pieces and we celebrated them both being chosen as runners up in their sections.Quite a lot of the group went to support them and the whole evening was very enjoyable.
Brenda gave us more details concerning the Lennoxlove Festival. Rita was selected to represent Dunbar Writers and several people expressed the wish to hear one of her pieces which has been heard recently on Radio 1.
Colin and Juliana were not at the meeting as they were involved in the organisation of Lennoxlove.On
November 12th at Haddington town house there is a writers’ workshop with visiting writers. The course is popular and several people have offered to help on the day. Brenda is once again helping to organise. We are very lucky to have her.
The next meeting Tom will attend is on December 1st Thursday. Our homework is ‘Congratulations’.
Homework for November 17th is ‘Get Crafty’.
Jill will be chairing meeting on November 17th. See you then. Jill.
Meeting 20th October 2011
Judy in the chair.
Colin spoke about his recent talk to the Geological Society in London on Robert Burns and geology, and on his workshop on Chesters Hill Fort with Athelstaneford P.S. and local archaeologist David Connolly.
He has been working on a new Tyne & Esk website (this one) which will incorporate the Dunbar Writers site at some point. It has a page for the Dunbar group, and members were asked to think about content. Diana Stevens offered to be on the editorial team (Karen Duncan is already on it).
The Dunbar Library is advertising a Tell-a-Story Day on Friday 28th October at 7.30pm. Writers are cordially invited to this evening of stories for grown-ups, as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Brenda raised the issue of our representation at Lennoxlove. Juliana and Rita’s names went into the hat, and Rita’s name was picked. Brenda will contact her.
She also mentioned the Writers’ Workshop on 12th November, and asked for assistance.
She had received an email from Jo regarding the Dunbar Sings concert, to which Karen Dietz has invited us to participate as in previous years. Members want to take part again, and we will ask Jo to let us know date and venue etc.
Pieces for Scrivens should be sent to Brenda or to Karen Duncan (prehisteria@sky.com)
In the recent Scottish Annual Doric Writing competition Brenda was awarded two Highly Commended prizes for a short story and a poem.
Biography
Brenda spoke about Stef Penney, winner of the 2006 Costa Best Book Award for her novel The Tenderness of Wolves.
10-minute exercise was ‘silver lining’
Previous prompt was food evoking memories.
Next meeting 3rd November, with Tom in the chair. Prompt for this is Remember, remember, the fifth of November. Juliana, Jo and Colin apologised in advance, as they will be attending the Lennoxlove staff briefing that evening.
Prompt for next time (17th November) is ‘get crafty’. Jill chairing, Diana doing Biog.
Colin
Notes from last meeting: (6 October)
