Our Chair, David Carson, has the latest news from our most recent meeting.
Nethergate Writers Meeting of 28 June 2017
Eight writers assembled in the Dalhousie building – Roddie, Richard, Craig, Colin, David C., Ray, Aileen and Abbey.
Apologies were received from Rosie, Fiona, Sue B and David F.
First, some business.
– Bookmark. The decision was for the non-laminated version.
– Class project confirmed as based on the stimulus used for the “who wrote this” evening (“if anyone asks, we’re fine…”). Nethergators who are not members can take part.
– Venue. Aileen will visit the Empire state to confirm bookings for meetings after 12 July. (** See note below)
– DUCAS EGM. David reported back: range of courses, some old, some new, about 12-14 anticipated; role of DUCAS (considerable); contractual arrangements with tutors to be finalised; university providing accommodation free.
Then some writing.
Richard took the chair. We started with David’s You Told Me. It’s set in a graveyard, and is somewhat melancholy, as the narrator remembers emotional disappointments. Generally liked, with some suggestions for a few changes to clarify a couple of ambiguities.
Next up was Roddie’s Synopsis for his entry to the Scottish Book Trust Writing Fellowship – The Isle and the Amulet.
The Synopsis was subject to some rigorous editing by the group. We liked the setting, the plot and the characters, and hoped that the discussion will have helped Roddie to fine-tune his summary. The story, aimed at 9-12 year olds, is set in Scotland in different time frames and alludes to significant historical events.
Colin’s Elegy for Mixed Tapes got a very positive response. We thoroughly approved of the idea of writing a poem about this activity (making a personalised tape of favourite music, or indeed any music). We thought the content was, in fact, pitch perfect. A discussion ensued on the merits of different sound recording devices, a lot of which went over the head of this minute taker!
Finally, Richard presented his contribution. It has no title. It consists of the river Tay interviewing four other rivers – the Danube, the Amazon, the Nile and the Ganges. Richard highlights their respective characteristics, and watery imagery abounds or, more accurately, flows. Ingenious. This led to some comments about the theme for a potential ebook that had been mooted in previous meetings – Fifty Shades of Tay. We agreed not to lose sight of this idea.
(**) Aileen has visited the Empire State. The café is shortly going to be closing at 7pm, so we need to find another venue. Some emailing amongst members has begun.
Next meeting is 12 July 2017 in the Dalhousie building.