Magic Hour Writers

Our Mission: To encourage and promote excellence in writing for children through
friendship, education, and peer support to writing colleagues.

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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Meeting Highlights August 8, 2013

Members Present:  Luneil, Judy, Cathy, Joan, Jackie

Guests: Suzy and Carole



The Crown Point Library did not have information on local writing groups but Carole found MHW online. The members agreed we need to give the various libraries flyers and talk to key people to make sure they know about us and can link us with people who want to join writing groups or simply want information. Members also discussed approaching libraries and offering to read to children on a regular basis as a special program.

Carole worked at a local preschool as a program coordinator and now does freelance writing. She recommended Silent Writers Retreat by Natalie Goldberg.

Cathy has been writing children's prayers. She read Joyful Scolding, The Holy Family in my Hand (a poem with hand gestures), Daily Prayers, and Lord Hear My Prayer. Members encouraged her to submit to her church and Christian publications including Guidepost.

Suzy brought in The Grandmother's Cookbook that was compiled by her sister. It contained recipes from as long ago as 1870 and included bios on the contributing family members. Suzy then read the first few pages from her humorous children's story Zilla the Garden Gnome.

Joan is on page four of a new book about a search.

Luneil started writing down a funny true story about a recent trip the chiropractor. Members thought it might be appropriate for Reader's Digest.

Carole is working on a children's book about a hamster, also inspired by a true story.

Judy shared a draft of the MHW cookbook. It includes her illustrations, tips on safety in the kitchen, and also a measurements guide. Judy read her latest computer illustrated book Lily Grace Explores with Magic Shoes (pictured above). She recently submitted this short story to a children's writing contest.  Later Judy read Unbalanced. Unbalanced is a story she had written a while back for adolescents but now has revised it to get ready for submission.

Jackie brought in a pile of rejections and one promising one she just received that encourages her to keep sending in her materials. She is now working on several poems with related activities and plans to keep submitting. She then had members complete the latest children's activity so she could get feedback and suggestions. Jackie won four ribbons at the fair and will have two photos  in a photography exhibit at the Indiana Welcome Center until the end of September.

Next Meeting: September 12, 2013

Save the Dates:

Indiana Writer's Consortium 5th Annual Banquet with Poet Laureate Karen Kovacik
October 10th, Avalon Manor, Merrillville, IN.

Write On Hoosiers Annual Banquet Wednesday, December 4th, Lakes of the Four Seasons

JSH

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