Thursday 21 July 2011

Meeting Report: 18th July 2011

Our latest competition challenge was to write a 15 minute radio play, with entries due in at our meeting on 18th July. There was much hilarity as scripts were read, with our multi-talented members becoming the characters as well as providing some of the ‘noises off’. As one member described it, ‘The readers sounded really professional. If I closed my eyes I could actually believe I was listening to the radio.’ It made for an entertaining evening, with as usual a good variation of subject matter and plenty of humour. We look forward to receiving the results on 15th August when judge Adrian Butcher, who works for the BBC, will attend to give his verdict.

There are still places available for our half-day open seminar with authors Leslie Tate and Sue Hampton ‘What goes into a great novel?’ on Saturday 30th July from 10.00-13.00 hours at the Southwater Community Centre (behind Warrior Square station). Places are £7 full or £5 concessions (seniors/students). Enquiries to hastingswritersgroup@gmail.com or just turn up on the day.

For further information about our group or membership please contact membership.hwg@gmail.com

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Meeting Report: 4th July 2011

We were delighted to welcome our patron, novelist Tamara McKinley, to our Manuscript Evening on 4th July. Tamara’s popular books are published around the world in about 15 different languages. Her latest ‘There’ll be Blue Skies’, which she is writing under the name Ellie Dean, is due out on 4th August.

Four members read extracts from works in progress for constructive feedback. Angela Everitt started with chapter 2 of her contemporary novel ‘Friends Like These’ whilst Ezzie Gleeson-Ward gave us a further instalment of her science fiction fantasy ‘Cormorante’. Pauline Piper continued with more from her crime novel ‘Driven’ and Mark Towner finished the readings with a semi-autobiographical piece from ‘Memoirs of Marcus’. These were all discussed by group members, with Tamara giving the benefit of her wide experience by adding further useful comments and suggestions for consideration by the authors.

We are hosting a writing seminar ‘What Goes Into A Great Novel?’ with authors Leslie Tate and Sue Hampton on Saturday 30th July from 10.00-13.00 hours at the Southwater Community Centre (behind Warrior Square station). Open to all, places are £7 full and £5 concessions (students/seniors). Booking enquiries to hastingswritersgroup@gmail.com please.

For enquiries about our group, please contact our Membership Secretary on membership.hwg@gmail.com