Here’s our Chair, David Carson, with an update on the events of our last meeting.
Nethergate Writers
Note of the Meting of 27 February 2019
Present: Roddie, Ray, Gillian, Aileen, Fraser, David C., Craig (In the chair).
Apologies: Katya, Rosie, Kate, David F., Abbey, Sarah, Colin
Writing.
There were four pieces to discuss, all different in terms of length and content.
The Fat Man Is Angry
This is the first chapter of a novel that Fraser is writing, set in the time of Diocletian and Galerius. We liked it a lot, for its modern idiom language, its characterisation , and its humour. Although set in time past, with casual barbarity, its themes – ambition, jealousy, warring factions – are modern.
A lot of characters are referred to in the first paragraph, and Fraser will consider possible changes, perhaps introducing some direct speech.
This is the first part of a substantial work, and it was much enjoyed.
A Woman Scorned
David’s ‘slice of life’ was appreciated for its dark humour and immediacy (it’s written in the present tense). Suggestions were made for changes to some expressions.
At the Sheuchan Gate
This is the next chapter in Roddie’s Isle and the Amulet novel. We liked the pace of the narrative, the vivid descriptions, and the strong sense of place.
It is a long chapter, and it might be worth splitting it into shorter sections. In view of the target audience, there could be more emphasis on the children. The Seely and Unseely need more explanation.
Roddie indicated that this was a first draft, and changes would be made during editing.
Barrington Crane Investigates
This is the second chapter in Craig’s saga of the eponymous sleuth. It picks up from the first in sharply observed period detail and language. The beginnings of an intriguing plot are introduced.
This was much enjoyed, and we look forward to chapter three.
Business
– Rosie will contact Amazon to update our account to reflect where we are as a group
– SAW and our finances will be on the AGM agenda
– we’ll contact Colin re Dundee Archives
Roddie said that he would be unable to attend Wednesday meetings on a regular basis because of work commitments. He asked if it would be ok to send out any written work for comment by members, even if he wasn’t present. We all agreed. Roddie said he would comment likewise on work circulated by others.
This led to a more general discussion about how we all respond to the writings of group members, in particular if we are not at a meeting. Some, but by no means all, email a comment if they are not going to be present at the meeting where the writing is discussed.
Our constitution says that one of our main aims is to support fellow members in their writing. We felt that, in the spirit of the group, it should be the norm for comments to be made even when a person is not present. We realised the time implication, but stressed that a comment could be as short as a sentence, and need not be a detailed response. One effect of this procedure, besides being of help to the writer, would be go keep members in touch with each other and the ongoing writing of the group.
To this end, members present suggested that, whenever a piece of writing is emailed to the group, anyone who will not be at the next meeting should send a comment. This could either be sent to the group, or only to the author.
This merits further discussion at a future meeting.
David C. 1 March 2019