David Carson is the Chair of Nethergate Writers, and these are his regular updates on our latest meeting.
Nethergate Writers Meeting – 6 July 2016
Half a dozen of us began by chatting about the website. It was good to see some writing and some comments. As well as the link to the Ties to the Tay, we agreed that there should also be a link to Zoe Venditozzi’s Dundee website. Craig will set this up.
First up was Richard’s poem “Now and Then.” We liked it. Its tone is deceptively simple, but it exemplifies an important aspect of how we view the world. Mood influences perception, in a nutshell.
The result of the referendum was regretted by all present. Such unanimity of outlook didn’t preclude lively analysis of why and how it all came about. As a lead-in to Roddie’s piece, it was highly appropriate. It’s entitled “Whoa! EU referendum” and is in the form of the song Hokey Cokey. Here’s the first verse:
You bring a new clown in and kick an old clown out,
Vote in vote out,
The markets shake about,
The country voted Brexit believing pie in the sky
That’s what it’s been about.
Vintage Roddie – you get the picture (and he sang it!)
“Give it a Rest “ is a pastiche on couples seeking counselling. It was written as an antidote to the political nonsense going on at the moment. The liberal use of the Doric added to the amusement.
Roddie had another piece “Wanderjahre” It has flavours of Robert Louis Stevenson and anyone who has left their native shore to travel and wander will recognise the sentiments. It steers clear of sentimentality. Some suggestions for minor changes were made. (Incidentally, Roddie has submitted two entries to a competition, both works that he had introduced to NW, and he reckoned that the discussion about them had been very helpful)
Tom read a short piece about losing one’s glasses. In fact it also contained sharp observation about how we perceive things, thus linking with the first piece, and bringing the meeting to a satisfactory, circular conclusion.
Not quite, however. We pondered for a moment or two about what makes a good short story. Mention was made of Alice Munro and Jhumpa Lahiri and two contrasting stories that are both exceptional in completely different ways. One comment from Craig is worth hanging on to – a good short story is one that could be the best part of something bigger.
Roy had sent round poems for comment. We thought it best for individuals to contact him directly. We didn’t feel qualified, since two are in German and one is in French. But we hoped that they would stimulate some multilingual interest (and I’ll respond to the French one).
It was another highly enjoyable and stimulating evening.