Tag: news

Whose point of view is it, anyway?

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On 11th April, sixteen writers attended the circle’s writing craft session led by author Kate Evans. Her most recently published books are A Wake of Crows and Drowning Not Waving, the first two crime novels in what will be a series of three. The third, No Justice, is due to be published in hardback in June 2023.

Members were informed that ‘the point of view in writing is the perspective from which the story is being told’ and that ‘having a compelling point of view hooks the reader and keeps them coming back for more’.

Kate set three short writing exercises as an opener. Members were invited to write the same paragraph in 1st person (I), then 3rd person (she/he/them) and, finally, 2nd person (you). An interesting discussion ensued regarding the different effects these had on the writing, the writer and the reader.

Further guidance was offered in choosing povs for particular types of writing, depending on what the writer wanted the reader to experience. The pros and cons of each pov were elaborated on by Kate and she suggested experimenting with different povs when approaching a piece of writing.  For example, if a writer usually uses 1st person, she suggested trying it in 3rd person to gauge the best fit for the effect the writer was trying to achieve. A lively discussion ensued around this.

After the break, Kate answered numerous questions from the group about using pov and writing in general until the meeting closed with her reiterating that, in short, the choices for pov perspective are single character viewpoint; multiple viewpoint; second person singular and omniscient. She distributed a handout to remind us of the evening’s content.  

It was a buzzing session enjoyed by all.

The next session will be held on Tuesday 9th May, 7.15 pm (to approx. 9.30pm) at Scalby Library, 450 Scalby Road Scarborough, YO126EE. Dorinda Cass will take the lead on ‘Romance’. Do come along to learn more about this interesting theme. If you think you don’t write romance, you’re in for a surprise. There’s a lot more to the genre than you think!

Report submitted by Julie Fairweather, SWC Member

Valentine’s Night at the Scarborough Writers’ Circle

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It wasn’t clear how many writers had forgone the chance of a candlelit Valentine’s dinner to attend our February meeting. Suffice it to say, there was an excellent turnout of sixteen members and two visitors at the Newby and Scalby Library venue.

The session involved an exercise in which attendees were asked to write for ten minutes about an object that appeared before them. Each person had been asked to bring a small object as a source of inspiration. The diverse collection included a motherboard, a ‘devil’s toenail’, sweet pea seeds, a tiny green bottle, a duck with the face of the bard, and many more. The results, when read out, were variously funny, sad, enlightening, and one even rhymed. During the second half of the session, writers with books to their name related their publication experiences, both through publishing houses and self-publishing.

Julie Fairweather, Diana Campbell, Ros Jones, Liah Thorley, Liz Jones and Nola York with books displayed on table by Lel Meleyal and Jean Martin.

The Circle will next meet at 7pm at Newby and Scalby Library on Tuesday 14th March. It will prove relaxing for some and nerve-wracking for others as we hear the entries of our spring competition being read out. The winner will be awarded the Arthur Hastings trophy. 

Visitors will be welcome and only be asked for a meagre four pounds. There will be an opportunity to become a member on the night.

Keep an eye on this website for updates and lots of useful information.

Report submitted by circle member Jill Boyes who led the session

Photograph by Judith Woodroffe, circle member and library trustee

Nibbles and Drabbles

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The Scarborough Writers’ Circle December meeting involved a lot of nibbles and cake and the reading out of festive ‘drabbles’ – that is, complete stories told in 100 words. We also congratulated Anne Morley on becoming a Circle Lifetime Member in recognition of her many years of active support for the group. Writing hopes and plans for the forthcoming year were shared and a festive time was had by all.

The Writers’ Circle meets again on Tuesday 10th January at 7:15 at the Newby and Scalby Library.

Our exciting 2023 timetable is available to view here and includes sessions on writing craft, writing content, guest workshop facilitators and competitions.

Guests £4:00 but membership is open and we very much welcome new members.

FIRE!

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The November meeting of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle focused on writing craft. Members were invited to bring short pieces to read out and accept feedback on pace, energy, interest and story arcs.  The theme for the evening was ‘Fire!’ and what a wonderful assortment of writing we heard.  There were stories of dragons eggs, of school pranks, feisty witches and the gunpowder plot. We had poignancy of a mother coping with autism and lots of crackle, woodsmoke and flame. Discussion was lively with lots of helpful feedback given and generously received.

Our next meeting will be at Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre on 13th December at 7:15. Members are invited to bring a festive 100 word story to share.  There will be nibbles!

Attendance is £4.00 for non-members – but membership is open and we very much look forward to welcoming new members and non-members alike. For more information and our year timetable see our website pages (https://scarboroughwriterscircle.com/)

(submitted by lelmeleyal@hotmail.com – Lel Meleyal – Chair SWC)

Beginnings and Omens at the Scarborough Writers’ Circle

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At 19:13, on the 13th of September, 13 members of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle met and discussed the importance of opening paragraphs and the power of omens. Members shared the beginning of their own work, along with examples from established writers, to demonstrate the variety of ways in which writers can arouse the interest of today’s readers. The meeting concluded on the hour, but disappointingly, the clocks failed to strike thirteen – perhaps leaving that omen for a night about endings.

The next meeting is on Tuesday, the 11th October 22, at Newby and Scalby Library. The evening will be a read-through of the entries to the Shirley Waite Poetry Competition, in celebration of National Poetry Day, followed by an announcement of the winner. The evening will conclude with an examination of rhythm and what fiction can learn from poetry.

Attendance is £4.00 for non-members, but membership is open so please browse the website for further information at http://www.scarboroughwriterscircle.com/ 

Report submitted by Stewart Ashton. 

A personal reflection of the August session led by Felix Hodcroft entitled ‘Environment’ can be found on Julie’s Personal Website here.

July at the Circle

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The July meeting of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle focused on writing craft, specifically dialogue. It was a lively discussion covering how dialogue adds pace, how it can be used to add depth to characters and how ellipses and the ‘Em dash’ can be used to increase drama and tension in a story. We concluded the evening with a demonstration of a story plotting plan and how it had been used in planning a novel.  

Our next meeting will be at Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre on 9th August at 7:15. It will be a poetry workshop facilitated by local poet, Felix Hodcroft.  The Shirley Waite Poetry Competition will be opened and guidelines for submissions announced.  

Attendance is £4.00 for non-members – but membership is open and we very much look forward to welcoming new members and non-members alike. For more information and our year timetable browse this website.

May’s Circle Session

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The May meeting of the Scarborough Writers’ Circle were delighted to welcome two new members to our ever-expanding group of wordsmiths. This month’s session was on writing practice and developing our craft. Drawing on found examples of both dull and exciting texts, the group had a useful discussion about words which add energy pace and excitement to written words.

Our next meeting will be at Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre on 14th June at 7:15 where the winner of the 2022 Nikki Barker writing competition will be announced and the trophy awarded.  Story entries to the competition will be read by their authors, which is always a joy.

£4.00 for non-members – but membership is open and we very much look forward to welcoming new members and non-members alike. For more information and our year timetable see our Diary section.

(submitted by Lel Meleyal – Chair SWC)

One Hour of Entertainment

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Scarborough Flare in the Sitwell Library at Woodend was one enjoyable hour, packed with humour, acidic, funny, heart wrenching and romantic poetry. Alongside stories of the darkest kind. If you missed it make sure it is in your diary for next year. Yes, you only get one chance per year to see this fresh new work from John, Julie, and Ian Scarborough Writers Circle members, along with University student Shirley whose acerbic witty poems will make you smile. Ian and John read an extract from Johns new play and he is eagerly awaiting offers of publication.