Writers Voice September 2011 - Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW

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FAW Branch Reports Lake Macquarie FAW cont. from previous page squeezed in a short poem from Linda Visman. There was barely enough time for Jan to thank everyone and wrap things up before it was time to spill out the doors, buoyed by the beautiful day and the wonderful words we had heard. Christina Batey Macarthur faw We see the picture of an elderly lady with a glowing smile leaning over a kitchen table cutting pie into slices with a large knife. Also on the table are some plates, one displaying food from an unfinished meal. This was the pictureprompt for our July creative writing exercise. We loaned ourselves to the power of suggestion in making the image tell its thousand words. Brains skipped a beat as members put meaning into this innocentlooking snapshot. Were four and twenty blackbirds under shortcrust pastry whetting that sweet smile? Well seriously, practical jokes aside, the suggestion of human steak and kidney under aspic with a light glaze came to mind, the sick harvest of a demented butcher/killer/ cook. Needless to say, yet we try: the writing exercise was a lot of fun. And getting their brainchild down on paper proved to be greatly satisfying to all members present. We had a catered afternoon tea to warm our cockles that cold winter’s afternoon. There was a general consensus social interaction and chat help to stir the creative juices. This may become an annual event… food and people, people with food… a wellrespected formula in the stoke and stir department. We are looking at ways to accommodate junior members. Some readings are unsuitable so we have decided to leave them until the last half hour of the meeting to read aloud. Suitable timing may be one of the important considerations. Margot is currently featuring a series of articles on style in our prestigious inhouse magazine, Inkblot. Each month we are able 10 WRITERS’ VOICE 233—SEPTEMBER 2011 to glean something new from its pages. Inkblot has a lighthearted tone, but tackles the art of writing with a helpful approach. We would recommend its format to everybody. Paul Phillips Manly and peninsula faw Our multitalented group continues to be busy writing. In June acclaimed poet Dawn Bruce presented an outstanding workshop ‘Close Observation – Inspirational Imagery for all Genres.’ It certainly opened our eyes to the fine detail which can bring objects and people to life in our writing and produced some excellent work read out and workshopped inhouse at the July meeting. We welcomed some new members of varied ages in July and they have joined in our activities with enthusiasm; we should have an impressive display of stories and poems to pair with the canvases being painted by the children attending the special programs conducted by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance at Allambie Heights. Together they will be on display for our Awards Event on 11September in Manly Library when the Annual Competition results are announced and certificates are presented to the winners. Then on a school day we will meet the young artists aged from three to twelve years old who will come to see the exhibition of their work in the Library and enjoy afternoon tea with us. We were able to congratulate our long term member Patricia Jones, who read out some poems from her book of poetry which has just been published by Ginninderra Press; a wonderful achievement. Another member, Margaret Grace has had several poems published in international publications and online. Also, Aleesah Darlison has just launched another junior novel in the Totally Twins series – Tropical Trouble, and this month her picture book Warambi will be released. All this success is the result of hard work and serves as an inspiration for all of us. In July Margaret Grace and I, along with other poets, read out our tanka at the launch of an anthology ‘Grevillea and Wonga Vine.’ This delightful occasion was held at Pearl Beach. Margaret and I each had a haiku accepted for the UK June edition of Presence. Zena Shapter has won the 2011 Oberon Writers’ Competition; also her short story ‘Breakthrough’ is in Stringybark Publications Short Story Anthology ‘A Visit From the Duchess’. Also a short story ‘Trigger’ in the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild’s Short Story Anthology ‘Winds of Change’. For our August meeting we have had Crime writer and tutor Robyn McWilliam who engaged us in a workshop on ‘Character’; a vital ingredient essential for storywriting. This had each of us engrossed in creating a believable character with some unexpected twists. Our individual responses to the ‘suggested exercise’ will be read out and workshopped inhouse at the September meeting. In October we’ll attempt to cowrite some quirky/humorous pieces for our December meeting, and in November we anticipate an entertaining afternoon when talented thespian Angela Smith presents our monologues. Visitors are always welcome to attend our meetings. Beatrice Yell, President north arM cove faw MidMay members spent a glorious day at the rural home of member Bob Bush and his wife Bev, for the 10th anniversary of Poetry in the Paddock. It was a day filled with excellent poetry readings and camaraderie; members fully appreciating the warm hospitality of the hosts. At the beginning of June, the group welcomed retired teacher, mathematician and political scientist Ron Williams, publisher of Boom Books, to the cove. Boom Books are a series of books covering the baby boom years and set out the social history of Australian life during those years. He discussed the ‘finished product’ and the research that led to each book’s completion. A very informative workshop. Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au
Shawna Hartley’s May assignment was ‘Sense of Place’ researching the five senses, while in June Wayne Jarman discussed various ways of critiquing work. In July Irene Cook took members back to Ancient Greece and Rome in an evening discussing the works of the poets Sappho and Catullus and ‘the person in the word.’ During July, three members took a trip over the bay to attend the launch of Port Stephens Writers’ latest anthology ‘Time and Tide’; a wellwritten and produced book. Ron Stewart is celebrating the completion of his novel which is, at present, in the first stages of assessment by various readers. An exciting project is in the pipeline for the group at present – North Arm Cove Rural Fire Service has held preliminary discussions with members regarding the writing of the brigade’s history since 1969. If the project receives approval it should prove a challenging but rewarding task for everyone involved. National Bookshop Day August 20, members Bob Bush, Garry Boyd and Wayne Jarman were in attendance at Sunset Books and Music, Raymond Terrace to participate in readings with other local authors. Avid readers also took part in ‘book busking’ in the street – reading favourite sections from their favourite books. Jacqui Winn will be conducting another workshop for members September 24. North Arm Cove FAW is also launching its 2011 writing competition in this edition of Writers Voice [page 28] and look forward to receiving plenty of entries from writers in FAW NSW. Maureen Kelly north shore [fawns] Judging has been concluded in the FAWNS Vibrant Verse competition and ‘Roots’ by David Campbell, ‘Solitude’ by Jan Foster, ‘Mungo Man Walking’ by Vickie Walker, and ‘The Whale Boat’ by Zondrae King are the four prize winning entries. Results are published in this issue of Writers Voice. Full results and judges’ reports can be found on the FAWNS website . Christmas in June was celebrated again at the Blue Gum Hotel, Waitara in a convivial atmosphere. No literary progress was made but friendships were definitely strengthened. Hornsby Shire Council is holding a Festival of the Arts in October/ November at Wallarobba Arts Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby, and FAWNS members are contributing work for display. Poems and short prose pieces will be printed on display boards and hung at the festival. Also a reminder to anybody who is contemplating entering the FAWNS Super Short Story competition that entries close 30th September [details page 26]. Richard Brookton port MacQuarie-hastinGs Although our group has been somewhat nomadic this quarter we are hoping to return to our regular venue in the near future. This July we celebrated our 33rd Birthday with a wonderfully amusing party. Our members turned thespian for the day and performed several skits of their own creation with a variety of comic acts that tickled us all. I can honestly say I never expected to see our President as a long haired shearer and he played the part so well along with others of our group. “Good On Yer Bluey”. The skits covered everything imaginable. The medical profession, aged care, eating out, and English history. Nicholas our youngest member sang for us and it was beautiful. Dennis Williams a local musician played piano for us and a great time was had by all who attended. I for one am looking forward to our 34th. Prior to the afternoon’s entertainment we had a brilliant meal and the cutting of the cake by Laurie Barber and Gwen ReesHopton topped off a great day. Our speaker for the August meeting is to be Frank Jennings who will speak on ‘Politics and Journalism’. Just a reminder here of our competition for September, the results of which will be published in the Port paper [details ‘Writing Competitions’ page 26]. Also Port Life Style will be printing the works of the winners in their holiday edition in January 2012. NOTE: Our group will be meeting at the Maritime Museum in William Street, Port Macquarie for the rest of this year. Joie Black port stephens faw Our ‘TIME and TIDE’ Anthology is the fourth achievement by Port Stephens Branch’s 15 members. This anthology came on the back of the success of their 25minute documentary, ‘Inlet Port Stephens’, which provided council funding to write an anthology about Port Stephens Shire. Initially it was titled ‘Mosaic’ (at that stage we had no idea what it would contain). At the first 2010 meeting we writers discussed what we could write and throughout the year group outings, interviews and sharing ideas encouraged writers to write. cont. next page… L: Port Macquarie FAW Life Member, Gwen Rees-Hopton and Patron, Laurie Barber cutting the cake. R: Frank Urban as shearer bribing the wool classer Nicholas Kable at Shear-Off, with Denis Williams on keyboard. Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 233—SEPTEMBER 2011 11
Page 1 and 2: Writers Voice S p r i n g E d i t i
Page 3 and 4: State Council News ANNOUNCEMENT: AT
Page 5 and 6: Sydney Harbour Bridge’! Twice a s
Page 7 and 8: FAW Branch Reports Blue Mountains f
Page 9: plot; on the quality of the narrati
Page 13 and 14: sizes, margins, headers and footers
Page 15 and 16: elected Vice Presidents with Marjor
Page 17 and 18: Helen and Johan with members of the
Page 19 and 20: Competition Results results: eastwo
Page 21 and 22: Articles Keeping The Short Story al
Page 23 and 24: Jacqui Winn: 2nd prize Brighton Com
Page 25 and 26: FAW Members’ Bookshelf ALEESAh DA
Page 27 and 28: WATERLINE WRITING COMPETITION cont.
Page 29 and 30: NORTH ARM COVE COMPETITION cont. fr
Page 31 and 32: PorT STePHenS FaW 3rd Thursday - 10

Writers Voice September 2011 - Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW

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