Jill Boyes started the session by presenting a selection of books ranging from fantasy, through autofiction, to those with purely factual content. Discussion around the whole spectrum from falsehood to truth (within the written word) took place.

Members were asked to compose a short story using a recent personal experience as inspiration. It was to be written in third person with an injection of fiction for dramatic effect. The stories were read out and critiqued in two separate groups.

After the break Sue Grogan explained how she enlivened her memoir by illustrating the tension within the most engaging scenes. Ros Jones told the group she had been advised to write her memoir as a piece of fiction and discussed the differences and similarities between her own life and her novel. Each member then described how they had placed themselves (consciously or unconsciously) in a piece of their own writing.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 12th August when a well-known local poet, Ann Gibbon, will reveal the winner of the Shirley Waite Poetry Competition.

Guests are always welcome (for an entry fee of £4). Hot drinks are available at the break for £1.

Report submitted by Jill Boyes.