April Meeting Highlights

Members Present:   Jackie, Joan, Judy, Luneil

Joan read her poem My Song which is about grief and hope in finding happiness.

Luneil has been busy reviewing proposals and visiting agencies that are requesting funds from United Way.

Judy read her revised Angels' Playground poem. Judy also read What Can I Do? Jackie suggested she change the layout and put it into two columns so it reads as a "two voices" poem.

Judy would like everyone to send her their poems and recipes via e-mail so that she can start laying out the cookbook.

Jackie discussed the PoPP children's poerty project awards event which is scheduled for April 25th. She also brought in a copy of the April Family Flyer which featured one of her photos and poem Treasure In Our Tree.

JSH

March Meeting Highlights

March 14, 2013

Members Present: Joan, Luneil, Bernardo, Pam, Jackie, Judy

Pam reported that she does a lot of writing on her job and hasn't written much for kids lately. Currently she produces a weekly newsletter and will be developing a quarterly magazine for the church as well. She will be working with three photographers and three writers. Celebration Magazine will highlight church events among other things.

Pam plans to finish her self-help book by the end of April. She has talked extensively with member Sharon Palmeri about the pros and cons of self-publishing and e-publishing. Sharon encouraged Pam to send out a query letter to 30 publishers. The group agreed that the older population prefers hard copy books and manuals. Jackie added that some publishers may request she include a chapter outline and/or a sample chapter.

Bernardo's website is livingwordfortheweek.blogspot.com. He read more from his short story Red and Fred. Bernardo has been working on character development and has been editing his first draft as well. Jackie suggested he include a map at the beginning of the book.

Judy read the article "How Do You Write a Poem" that she wrote for the PoPP 2012/2013 magazine. Jackie suggested she include at least five kid-friendly links to poetry in the back of the magazine. The PoPP committee will meet next week to review the draft copy. The awards banquet will be in April.

Judy shared her potato recipe and poem.

Joan is working on a recipe and poem for peanut butter and chocolate. She will bring in her poem My Song next meeting.

Luneil is working on developing two additional characters for her Lottie Nora series. These include Lottie Nora's mother and cousin.

Jackie will bring in her apple dip recipe next month.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

JSH

February 2013 Meeting Highlights

February 21, 2013

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

Members met at Schoop's Restaurant.

Judy reported on the last Prairie Writer's Guild meeting.  Judy, Luneil, and Jackie drove down to Rensselaer earlier in the month. Past guest speaker Shannon Anderson is working with Tate Publishing. Her latest book is titled, I Am Not a Pirate, which was inspired by her daughter's amblyopia (lazy eye). Judy discussed her past offers with Tate and their rates.

Judy passed out a list of generator sites which help you with character development. The sites help with coming up with unique names and personality traits, etc.

Jackie reminded the group about checking the minutes, updating bios, and keeping up with readings and posts from the Chicago Writer's Conference.

Joan submitted 2 poems about the loss of a significant other. She passed out a poem and recipe for cheese crackers.

Lorraine has received rejections from all three publishers she submitted her moose story to. She plans to contact her friend who works at Corby Press out of South Bend. Lorraine then read her latest short story A Hardheaded Mother Bird.

Luneil passed out her character development sheet on Lottie Nora. It included specific details on Lottie Nora's physical description and personality traits. Jackie suggested Luneil include a mannerism or saying that carries over into each of the four books she has planned for the series.

Judy passed out Christmas gifts to Cathy and Lorraine since they missed the New Year's Party.

Next Meeting: March 14, 2013

JSH

Meeting change this month

Due to Valentine's Day falling on the second Thursday this month we will be meeting on the 3rd Thursday instead. See you at Chapel Lawn on February 21st.

Upcoming Event:  Free Reading though Chicago Writers Conference

An Evening of Speculative Fiction
Science Fiction, Horror, and Fantasy Readings from Chicago Authors

(click on the following box)

Date: Thursday, February 28, 2013
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Place: Open Books Bookstore
213 W. Institute Place
Chicago, IL 60610

Upcoming Events - We Need YOU!

 

and

 

The Southlake YMCA in Corwn Point is looking for

Children's Authors to read their books

to children on Healthy Kids Day in March.

 

Contact: Lauren Mandernack

New Year's Party/Meeting, January 10, 2013

Members Present:  Judy, Joan, Luneil, Bernardo, Pam, Jackie

HAPPY NEW YEAR! We had some terrific food and desserts; Judy even brought gifts! See slide show on right side at the top...

We worked too:

Judy will collect dues in February. Judy will also make 2013 membership cards and business cards so that we can hand them out to anyone interested in writing for children.

Members looked at the current list of recipes and related poems and stories. Jackie will e-mail the recipe list again to members. Members discussed having a workshop in April at Pam and Bernardo's home to work specifically on the recipe book.

Bernardo read a part of his Red and Fred story and had some questions about how he should help the reader distinguish between his main characters and their clones. Jackie suggested including detailed descriptions and personality traits that carry over to the clones as well. Pam will work on a character development tips sheet.

Pam read the table of contents, forward, and first chapter of her guide book. The members felt it was very direct and easy to read. The layout was in book form and gave a good preview/representation of what the final product will be like.

Jackie brought in a copy of the Chicago Sun-Times. The newspaper and NBC Channel 5 news featured one of her cardinal photos in the weather section.  Jackie also had several photos in local 2013 Town Planner Calendars. She has not been writing much.

Judy read her short story Little Red Riding Hood from the latest Hoosier Horizon magazine.

New Year's Resolutions:

          ***Magic Hour Writers wants to
                                  retain current members and recruit new members!!!

* I want to help finish our cookbook and... get back to my Grandma book idea,... Joan
* Slowly adding and editing my collection of children's poems. Paul
* Finish my watercolor paintings and send in Sally Mae for editing. -- Jackie
* I want to write another Ryliegh Emma story and start submitting more. Judy
* I would like to say that I am going to write every day.  I have been trying this for years and far I have not accomplished this. I am going to write at least twice a week.  I plan to write another Lottie Nora story. I am going write more in my personal journal.  So far I have managed to write in it almost every day this year.  Luneil
* I plan on writing more which includes a journal of daily events and thoughts. Maybe some writing ideas may come out of it. Lorraine

JSH
 

December News

MHWriters had a small gathering in November. Luneil, Joan, and Jackie looked over the list of recipes. Jackie brought her recipe and photos for Snake Bites Stuffed Breadsticks. Luneil handed out copies of her recipe for Orange Flavored Pork Steaks. Joan plans to write something about a fish and come up with a related main dish.

Jackie mentioned including another page on the blog which would include links to information and tips on writing. Links for Shadow Poetry and Rhyme Zone follow.
     http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/types.html
     http://www.rhymezone.com/
Additional links will be added on a regular basis.

Members discussed the upcoming Christmas party meeting. It was later decided to cancel the December meeting and celebrate the new year in January instead.

Next meeting:

Happy New Year Party

Thursday, January 10, 2013

6:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn

Merry Christmas!

JSH