learning – Scarborough Writers' Circle

The Circle met on the 12^th of September and we welcomed George Cromack to Newby & Scalby Library for an evening of humour and enlightenment. We learnt about the story arc and how writers need to be aware of the shape and structure of their plot, be it a short story, a novel, or something in between. Most important is the character or characters. Who are they and what is their mission? In a story of highs and lows (gains and losses) how do they achieve their goals? Or do they?

It was pen-to-paper time when we were asked to create a short narrative using the story arc George had outlined. Stories were swiftly generated: a brother lost in a tsunami, a pair of old shoes given new life, a family of friendly rodents, and inevitably, a canine in trouble.

There’s a lot more to writing than most of us envisage. However, there’s a broad range of expertise and skill at the Circle from beginners through to authors with several publications to their name. Sessions are designed to cater for this varied group and there’s a general consensus that members and visitors alike enjoy not only the focus of the evening but also the chit-chat and useful information gleaned from one another.

The next session will be on Tuesday 10^th October when the winner of the Shirley Waite Poetry Competition will be revealed. We look forward to welcoming Charlotte Oliver, a prestigious local poet, who has very kindly agreed to judge the entries. In line with National Poetry Day on the 5^th of October our theme this year is ‘Refuge’. Whilst poetry is generally not the main thrust of our group we welcome diversity within the written word and are not afraid to have a go.

Visitors old and new will be given a warm welcome. The library doors open for us around seven o’clock with a start time of seven-fifteen. There’s tea, coffee and putting-the-world-to-rights at half-time, and superior biscuits: not the cheap and boring kind. What more could a creative soul want?

(£1 for refreshments to the library and guest admission is £4 for the session.)

report submitted by Jill Young, SWC Member

On Saturday 20^th May, several circle members enjoyed a day in the company of bestselling author, Margaret Graham, who charmed us all with her warm and lively personality as she led us through the components of the common structural form of the short story, expanding this into novel writing and publishing.

The Plotline used for guiding writers was based on the Cinderella story and the structure of this enabled us to identify plot points within the writing we produced on the day, to aid us with future writing, and indeed to apply to any work in progress.

The day was full of fun and laughter, with a balanced mix of teaching and interaction. There were lots of tips for how to vary content within the plotline to make it effective and how to keep the reader interested.

It was a great experience writing as a group in a different setting other than our usual monthly 2-hour session at Scalby Library and it gave us a chance to get to know one another a little better.

Members came away feeling they had learned something valuable from Margaret and enjoyed her company to boot!

It would be good to repeat this practice, perhaps in a different venue, and we will look at the possibility of that at the AGM in November, depending on available funds.

Submitted by Julie Fairweather, Member

Photos courtesy of Ros Jones, Member

Margaret asked that her fee be donated to Motor Neurone Disease