It was another busy evening for the
Group on Monday 11 February, with again, very good attendance. We started with
a treat. Marcus Towner read us his winning entry for the 2012 Catherine Cookson
Cup, our major annual short story competition. ‘Perhaps an Indian Summer’ is a
gentle and evocative love story – an ideal topic with Valentine’s Day so close.
Following that relaxing interlude, it was down to work – a session on how to
get the best from our Manuscript Evenings, led by Kate O’Hearn with help from
Stephanie Gaunt. Firstly, we talked about how best to express our comments to
our colleagues, to enable them to take on board what we say. Next, we looked at
the presentation, style and content of people’s writing, and the areas we could
usefully address. Kate reminded us that everyone’s view was both valid and
valuable. We are all readers as well as writers, and all have a feel for what
works for us as individuals.
Next, two people courageously
presented extracts from their work in progress, so we could practice our new
skills. Maurice Haken took us through a new short story ‘A rewarding
Co-incidence’, and new member Kate Giles presented an extract from a historical
novel she is currently working on. Both pieces generated much lively
discussion.
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