Erskine Writers

 The meeting was held on 25th February and apologies were received from Donnie, John Mac, Brian, Joan and Sandra R. The club was disappointed in that Ailsa has had to leave us after  such a short stay but, nevertheless, wish her well , especially as she she publishes her book of poetry this we. Members are reminded that they are invited to the book launch of Sandra’s new Lorimer novel “Acts of Malice which is to take place at Waterstones, Sauciehall Street at 19.00 on 20th March. This will be followed by a celebration at the Art House Hotel. In a similar vein, members have also been invited to the launch of Russel McLean’s new book, also at Waterstones and also at 19.00. This is to take place on 11th March at £5 per head. Russel is a true friend to the group having judged our crime story competition earlier in the session. We were delighted to welcome John H back following his sojourn to Australia and celebrated his return, wetted his new grand-daughters head and cheered the publication of Lorna’s book “Sam, the superstar puppy” with a glass of non-alcoholic wine and the obligatory cake. The main business of the day was given over to our interpretation of hermit crab writing which was done in-house. Irene began with an impassioned advocates’s speech defending Dr Jeckyll and this was followed by Sandra’s balanced letter from a publisher rejecting a manuscript but also giving some encouragement. Hilary’ poignant offering was of a witness who had seen the late queen’s cortège pass through Braemar and John H announced his return to form by writing a recipe for an ideal holiday - ingredients and all. Morag wrote a job reference for Honor Bright, the heroine of the  book “The Last Runaway” , a Quaker who emigrated to Wisconsin and used her skills as a quilt maker. Rob wrote a medal citation for Kipling’s hero Gunga Din and Jackie’s letter of rejection from a publisher was humerous not to say saucy! Lorna played to her strengths with a satirical school report on Nicola Sturgeons and Marilyn weighed in with the Who’s Who entry for a modern Scottish hero, lifeboatman Ben Thompson. Sandra completed the exercise with a second offering - a entry from Jane Austen’s diary. I’m not sure wether we followed the exact disciplines for hermit crab writing but our jury-rigged adaptation provided a good exercise and a lot of entertainment. John H then played catch up and read through his crime story which had been awarded third place and also his entry into the poetry competition - along with the accompanying adjudicator’s observations. Finally, members are reminded that the last competition of the session - an article suitable for publication in a magazine or newspaper - is to be with Morag by 18th March with results announced on 22nd April. Any subject of our choosing gives us free range and for a piece of work, between 500 - 1500 words long.