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 Ten members attended the meeting on 14th January. Apologies were received from Sandra, Joyce, Lorna, Irene, John H and John S. This was the third workshop of the current session and was dedicated to writing for children. It was delivered by Alan Dapre, best known as one of the writers of the childrens’ programme and books based  on the car character “Brum” although this was just part of his extensive output. In an interesting presentation, he analysed the basics of writing books for young children - in particular those of approximately six years old and it was coloured with various anecdotes along the way accompanied by the various pitfalls which he had faced. The competition he set will be emailed to members as soon as possible. Next week promises to be quite exciting as we receive our first adjudications and results of the year - our poetry competition. This, along with contributions from our own manuscripts, adds up to it being a busy and entertaining afternoon.

 Although the cold weather and a number of other factors conspired to reduce our numbers on this, our first meeting at our new venue, it was nevertheless a very productive afternoon. Apologies were received from Sandra M, Joan, John H, John M, John S, Joyce, Irene and Jacqui. An initial meeting with our hosts at the Erskine Sports Centre - Ali, Jason and Lewis - made us feel very welcome, heartened as we were by tea and coffee on site. They seem as excited to have us there as part of a bigger picture in regard to the arts in Erskine as we are to be there. Lorna gave us a very detailed insight as to the pitfalls of self-publication, her book “Sam, the superstar puppy” now being a tangible entity. Topic for the day was a book review and we heard a wide variety of examples of what members had been reading - some were recommended, others not. Brian gave us a break down of Robert Harries’s novel “Conclave” and was followed by Sandra R’s book “Ask Not” by Maureen Callaghan - an expose of the Kennedy clan. Hilary gave us a”The Collected Short Stories of Arthur C Clarke Vol 1” whose prophecies written some considerable time ago were becoming increasingly and chillingly to pass. Joan, John and Sandra M emailed their contributions - Joan’s was “Paper Cup” by Karen Campbell, a poignant memoir of a lady’s difficult life, John H gave us the novella “Elevation”by Stephen King and Sandra reviewed Ian Rankin’s new novel “Midnight Blue”. Rob did not recommend his choice “The Bomber Mafia” by Malcolm Gladwell and Lorna gave us food for thought and an idea for a future workshop with her book on Sweden.

 A happy new year to all members - past, present and future. Keep your nibs sharp!

Tuesday 10th December

 The calendar year ended with our annual Christmas party which was also to mark our last involvement with the Bargarran Community Centre. There were a handful of apologies who could not make the celebrations of which I was, unfortunately one, being laid low by one of these nasty Winter fevers! However, I have it on good authority that a good time was had be all bolstered by our self-catering, Lorna’s quiz and Brian’s music. So it’s a merry Christmas to all and a peaceful and happy new year as we look forward to a long and fruitful association with the Erskine Sports Centre. ………..book review week on 7th January!!

Minutes from meeting on Tuesday 3rd December

 Twelve members attended, there being apologies from Donnie, Brian, Ted, John S and John H. 

We were saddened to hear of Jeannie’s intention to relinquish the presidency but can understand her reasons for so-doing. We wish her well as she continues with her creative writing studies at Strathclyde University and reassure her that she and husband Ted are in our thoughts  and prayers. We thank her for her dynamic and forthright leadership over the past eighteen months or so.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Sandra back into the President’s chair, a seat which she has graced before and, for a rookie secretary, her knowledge and wisdom about all things writing is sure to be a boon.

It was good to hear that John has now safely arrived in Australia after what seems to have been an “interesting” 40 hour (!!) journey

Members are reminded that next week’s Christmas Party begins at 1.00pm and they are to arm themselves with their own mug and a Secret Santa Christmas card thereby carrying on the  traditions of previous years. Members signed up for their particular gastronomic contribution for the table and if anyone has forgotten I have the sheet.  Lorna will produce a quiz and it is believed Brian is in charge of the music

The topic for the day was to write a the nativity story from the point of view of a bystander, an extra if you will who do not warrant a mention in the New Testament or any other contribution to the canon of Christmas writing.

Irene wrote of the perils of the angel atop the Christmas tree as it was toppled to the ground by vigorous children and how she was saved by some Santa magic. Lorna wrote a traveller’s diary written by Noah the donkey

Sandra R. wrote of Felix the cat who witnessed the birth yet has no biblical mention though the fur distribution on his head may have been some reward.

Joan also wrote about a loving cat in the stable whilst Jeannie wrote a caustic account given by a camel driver employed by the wise men. Rob and Morag both concentrated on the role played by the innkeeper’s wife - albeit coming from different angles, whilst John and Jacqui both wrote thoughtful, sensitive pieces - John on the role played by a young, lame boy whose thanks came in the form of a first miracle whilst Jacqui wrote of the importance of a family Christmas to her 92 year old mother.

There were further contributions given by Rob and Jeannie.

And so we say goodbye to our room at the Community Centre - a room full of memories and if the walls could talk they WOULD have lots and lots of stories to tell. 

Erskine Writers Meeting 26th November 2024

 Whereas apologies were received from John Spence, the meeting was attended by fourteen members. We were disappointed to learn that Elizabeth has chosen to resign from the group and wish her well for the future in the hopes that she continues, possibly, as a postal member. Congratulations are to be given to Lorna whose children’s novel “The Superstar Puppy” has recently been published on Kindle and further esteem needs to be applied as she told us of the time-consuming task of self-publishing. We wished John Bon voyage as he sets off to Australia to welcome his new grand-daughter into his family when she arrives and look forward to seeing him on his return in February. Good on yer, cobber!

The main part of the afternoon was taken up by a workshop based on the genre of crime-writing delivered by Russel McLean. An author of eight crime novels - the eighth “The Friday Girl” due to be published in the New Year. Russel is also an editor for numerous publishers including Amazon, has taught creative writing at Dundee University and has also worked in film and TV.

He compared the agony of writing with its ultimate joy and urged us to approach our own efforts with a youthful zest. We were encouraged to read outwith our normal comfort zone and question the appeal of particular books and what makes us so keen on them. We analysed the concept of conflict, the build-up of character empathy  and concentrated on the “primal urge” which drives characters forward  thereby drawing us in. He drew from a wide variety of authors - both classical and modern - illustrated his ideas with reference to TV and film and, again, urged us to think outside the box. We analysed different types of crime writing - from the cosy mysteries to police procedural and crime noire, his most librating point being that a crime writing can cover all forms of writing providing that a committed crime remains as a central core. This certainly freed up a lot of ideas - especially amongst the afficiandoes of science fiction within the group. It was a very thought provoking and “freeing” afternoon.

Russel’s competition is to write a short crime story of 1500 words based on the title “Who killed Alexander Black……and why?”. Members will smile at the title with obvious reasons! He advised entrants to “open up at a point of high drama and get out quickly at the resolution”. Entries to be with Morag by 14th January.

Thank you, Russel