The theme of the Writers Circle meeting held on the 9th April was ‘Self Publishing and Social Media’. Hosted by Liah Thorley and Sue Grogan, the evening began with a short quiz. We then discussed the process of Self Publishing and the value of Social Media within the field of writing.

Next meeting 14th May at Newby and Scalby library, subject  ‘Creepy Stories’. £4 for non members.

Report submitted by Sue Grogan

In the session, we’re going to talk about things that scare us. Things that you personally have seen, or heard, or read, or dreamt, that have really given you the willies! Then we’ll split into smaller groups for workshopping, so please bring either a short story (or an idea if you don’t have time) that we can work on during the session. Stories could be anywhere between 350 and 1000 words. Old stories that you’ve already drafted will be fine too! They don’t necessarily need to fit the horror genre, they could be stories that are otherwise mysterious, suspenseful, ethereal in some way!

SWC Members only

‘A Stranger Calls’

Write a fictional piece of 1000 words (or within 100 words of that limit) using the above prompt.

Normal competition rules apply and can be found on the SWC website.

Competition closes at 23:59 hrs 14^th May 2024

At the March meeting of the Writers’ Circle members read their entries to the first short story competition of the year. The theme, a story taking place at dawn, set imaginations whirring. There were vampires, naval warships, a monster spider, a boyfriend’s challenge, pathos in the first world war and a fantasy. The winner of the Arthur Hastings trophy was Judy Woodroffe for her story The Girl and the Otter Queen, a fantastical story full of atmosphere and magic.

The trophy was presented to Judy by our special guest, Arthur Hastings’ granddaughter, Emma Lynch.

The next meeting of the Circle is on 9^th April 2024 at Newby Library, Scalby Road, Scarborough. 7 pm for 7.15 start. Sue Grogan and Liah Thorley will lead a session about self-publishing and social media for writers. Non-members are very welcome. (Over 18s only.) Cost of session: £4 and £1 to library for tea/coffee at break, if wanted.

The February meeting of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle was held at Newby & Scalby Library on Tuesday 13 February 2024.  It took the form of a writing craft session led by Diana Campbell.  Members had been asked to bring in a small object to inspire a piece of writing and everyone had fifteen minutes to pick an object, either their own or one that someone else had brought in, and write a short piece about it.  The writers then read their creations out to the group and very entertaining they were.  Most were written in prose but a couple were in poetry form, one a haiku.  After refreshments, the group learned about each object: who’d brought it in and the story behind it. 

At the next meeting, on 12 March 2024, the winners of the Arthur Hastings short story competition will be announced, entries returned with helpful critiques and stories read out by the entrants. Guests are welcome and pay £4 plus £1 if they’d like a coffee or tea at break.  (Over 18s only.) The Circle is open to new members. Please check our website https:/scarbroughwriterscircle.com for further details.

The musical ‘The Lady or the Tiger’ is playing at the Tabard Theatre in London from the 28th Feb 24 – 16th March 24. Originally performed at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond Surrey, the music was written by our very own SWC member Nola York!

SWC Meeting – 09/01/24

It being January, everyone was given a chance to talk about their aspirations for the coming year. Plans and projects were both diverse and bold.

To get the grey matter going, members and guests had been asked to bring a piece of existing work, to be critiqued within a small group of three or four. Be kind, be constructive, be confidence building, was the only directive. People said they found the experience a helpful stimulus after the Christmas lull.

The next SWC meeting in Newby and Scalby Library, will be on Tuesday 13^th February at 7p.m. Members and guests are invited to bring along a small item of interest. These artefacts will be used as the basis for a quick writing exercise.

Guests are charged £4 for entry and are made very welcome. Tea and coffee is available for £1 at the break.

Report submitted by Jill Boyes.

SWC MEMBERS ONLY

Think of an event that traditionally takes place at dawn or in the hour before dawn or an occasion that would be especially memorable if it happened at that time. Write a fictional story about the event/occasion.

The story must have at least two characters and have dialogue that moves the story forward and, ideally, tells us something about the characters.

Usual Circle competition rules apply.

Closes: 23:59 on 13^th February 24. Entries to be brought to the February meeting or delivered through Dorinda’s letter box.

The final meeting of the year was held on Tuesday the 12^th of December. Our venue was full of festive cheer, thanks to the volunteers at Newby & Scalby Library. An array of food, provided by Circle members, also lifted the spirits. With curry and cheesy twist, Waldorf salad, and all manner of home baking, it looked too good to eat, but we managed.

Well fed, we knuckled down to the focus of the evening: a ready prepared story of three hundred words. The approach taken by members was, as always, varied. Discussion followed regarding clichés, humour, and gnomes — yes gnomes.

            The 2024 programme starts on Tuesday 9^th of January at 7p.m. Bring along a piece of your work and tell us about your New Year Writing Resolutions. Everyone welcome. Guests pay £4 per session. Members pay £36 for the year, by cash or direct debit. Details will be sent out soon. Light refreshments are charged at £1.

Report by Jill Boyes

On Tuesday 14^th November, Scarborough Writers Circle gathered for a light hearted and lively session on Sci-Fi writing led by Maggie Fawcett, who gave a brief history and definition of science fiction writing. At the end of her talk, Maggie urged members to explore the many and various Sci-Fi books, magazines and online sites that are freely available and encouraged everyone to submit their writing for publication. The short pieces of work read by members included subjects as varied as AI, space travel, timeslip and alien invasion. During the break members had the opportunity to sell their own published work and enjoy Liah’s staggeringly good ginger bread zombies.

Report submitted by Maggie Fawcett (SWC Member).