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

Meeting Highlights - July 11, 2013

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Lorraine Ackerman

Bernardo Gonzalez

Pam Gonzalez

Joan Pulsateri

Judy Whitcomb

DISCUSSION:

Pam and Bernardo were on vacation but chose to come to the meeting any way because they enjoy the group.  Everyone else agreed MHW was a good group to belong to.

·         The group discussed editing:

o   It is difficult to edit your own work

o   With grammatical edits, there is the issue of style vs. traditional standards.

§  When writing, there may be times when we choose not to follow traditional standards.

§  Judy brought up an article she had previously sent out that dispelled some traditional writing rules (ex. Prepositions shouldn’t be at the end of sentences) because they is no historical precedent for them. She’ll send it again.  

o   For the cookbook, we need to self-edit. Possibly use an outside editor after we have finished.

·         There was a brief discussion on how to lay out a page for publishing.

WRITING:

·         Bernardo submitted a poem and recipe for the cookbook.

·         Bernardo read the next chapter of his book, Red and Fred’s Adventure to the Sea. Judy commented that when he’s finished, he’ll probably do a lot of editing on the first part because his writing has improved so much.  The group agreed and brought up points about how his plot is now developed. He uses his characters to move the plot along and does much less “telling”. He is emphasizing characteristics to make his characters more distinct.  He is also integrating those characteristics throughout the book through character interactions and reactions. While he has made his characters more distinct, Bernardo still wants to concentrate on developing that technique further.  It was pointed out how well done his section (read at this meeting) on the mirrors was done.

·         Bernardo gave Judy the scripted copy of his book so far.  She will put it into a word document.  She told him that she would do the same for his next section. If he gets it to her  before the next meeting, she’s have copies for the group ready.

·         Pam continues to do a large portion of the writing for her job. She hasn’t been able to work on other projects.

·         Lorraine accepted Judy’s challenge to try and write a 150 word story for young readers sponsored by Children’s Writer. She wrote about a child’s exploration through an adventure park. She used repetition of single syllable words to appeal to the young reader.  She had a sketch of a park and talked about how a book based on the sketch could have a child move from area to area in a book for example a dial book.  She was able to use only 75 words. 

·         Judy shared her story for the same contest, Lily Grace Explores with Magic Shoes.  She used exactly 150 words and had a hard time doing that.  The group gave her some great suggestions and she was able to implement them and not change the total word count. She said that she wanted to do pictures for the story and showed those to the group.

·         The layout and graphics used so far in the cookbook were looked at. Judy stated that there wasn’t a decision about the graphics in the book.  The group liked the ones that were there. Joan asked her to do one for Myrtle the Turtle.

So she did!

Next Meeting is Scheduled for August 8, 2013

JLW

Meeting Highlights - June 13, 2013

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

Guest:  Suzy Stueben

 

Jackie met Suzy at a Write-on Hoosiers meeting last month. Suzy worked at Purdue University for 15 years as an instructional designer offering computer networking support. Since retiring, Suzy has more time to devote to her stories for children.

Members discussed the updated recipe list and age of target audience. We decided to target children up to age ten. Suzy is interested in help with Illustrator. Jackie and Pam would like more instruction on graphics in general. The group discussed Judy's success in illustrating her own poems and short stories. A few examples of Judy's computer art were passed around.

Joan read Elbows and Peas and the related recipe for Peas and Parmesan Crostini.

Luneil is working on another Lottie Nora story. This time Lottie Nora's adventure takes place at her grandpa's farm. Luneil will submit it to Lee and Low Publishers within the next month.

Pam brought in another poem for her Stuffed Hotdogs recipe but she likes the original poem she shared last month better. She informed us that cookbook companies offer measurements and tips as an option when developing the layout of the book. Jackie said Judy had brought this up as well. The group decided we need kid friendly pictures of ingredients (eggs, butter, milk, etc.), supplies (measuring cups, bowls, etc.), and actions (mix, stir, bake) incorporated in our book. Lorraine had demonstrated this idea earlier in the project when she passed out her recipe for  Rhubarb-Oatmeal Bars complete with steps and clip art pictures.

Pam is still working on her self-help guides. Sharon had suggested she send it out to 30 publishers before she considers self publishing. Pam has since removed all the formatting for the version she plans to send in.

Pam is also still producing weekly newsletters for her church and posted a link to her column on her 

Facebook. The group discussed the benefits of "liking" and "sharing links" on each other's page.

Bernardo shared a poem he wrote about the love of his life - his wife Pam. He then continued the chapter on Stone Castle. He believes his book will be best suited for children ages six to ten.  Members were pleased to learn Bernardo is proficient in Exact Sign Language. The group enjoyed listening and watching him as he communicated songs and his experiences with his hands.

Jackie reminded the group to check the monthly meeting highlights on blogspot and send materials for the MHW Facebook page.

Next meeting is scheduled for July 11, 2013

JSH

Meeting Highlights - May 9, 2013

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

Judy passed out price sheets and ordering information for personalized pens. We plan on giving MHW pens to members and using them to advertise our group and promote membership. Pam and Judy discussed Adobe Creative Suite and the programs they use for illustrating and book formatting.

Pam brought two recipes and poems for our cookbook. She wrote a poem about hotdogs and has a recipe for stuffed hotdogs, a meal she enjoyed as a child. The other recipe was for cinnamon apples which accompanies a poem about apple blossoms.

Jackie brought in apple slices and caramel dip. She is submitting the dip recipe for the book.

Luneil read Parfait Makes a Great Day and brought a recipe for Fruit & Sherbet Parfait.

Pam will work on a pasta salad. Jackie will work on a party punch.

Everyone should bring cookbooks to the next meeting so we can have examples and make some decisions about layout and design. Everyone also needs to send their submissions to Judy via e-mail.

Luneil came up with the title for our book. Everyone agreed it should be called Magic Hours in the Kitchen.

Bernardo continued his story about Red and Fred. They are now at Stone Castle. He has been working on including more descriptions and dialogue. Jackie thought it might be a good idea to have Fred practice different anger management techniques in each chapter. She will send Bernardo a list to inspire ideas.

Judy read Faces which is a poem she wrote as a memorial to those killed at the Boston Marathon. The group encouraged her to submit it to different magazines and papers in Boston. Judy then read a short story entitled Connections about two very different people who meet at a beach.

Pam has been writing devotions every week for her church's newsletter. All end with a scripture passage at the end. Members think she should consider compiling and publishing them in book form each year. See Pam's devotions at www.valpofumc.org. You can find them in the about us/past newsletters section.

Next Meeting:  June 13, 2013

JSH

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