May 7, 2014

MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Buchman, Sharon Palmeri, Paul Mulligan, Luneil Morrow, Bob Moulesong, Denise Taylor.  Michelle Vargas, Janice Beier, Suzy Stueben, Mary Ellen Beecher, Donna Douglass,  Neil Bedeker, Beverly Stanislawski


NEW BUSINESS

Sharon Palmeri opened the meeting asking the newer members to introduce themselves to some of the older members who had not been present lately.

OLD BUSINESS

Minutes were approved with Mary Ellen Beecher, motioning, and Sharon Palmeri, seconding.

LITERARY NEWS

Some members updated their recent activities: 

Neil Bedeker informed us of his attempts to get self-published. He also distributed a response from one publisher who questioned the use of “real people's” names, (citing possible lawsuits from relatives of any dead people) point of view questions, and other concerns.

Michelle Vargus spoke of an upcoming Midwest Writers Workshop in July, in Muncie, IN.

Luneil Morrow told of starting several short stories and of sending her vampire story out for publication...no luck yet.

Sharon Palmeri mentioned wanting to attend a October mystery writers' workshop, “Magma Cum Murder,” in Muncie, IN.

Bob Moulesong went to a Writers' Consortium event where he met fellow writers and received publishing ideas, including costs for editing a book and for publishing.
Beverly Stanislawski told of winning and Honorable Mention in the Mississippi Poetry Society's contest for her poem, “Beloxi Belle,” an historical lighthouse in that state.

Paul Mulligan sent in a story and his wedding photo to a contest in which people married for several years give marital advice.

READINGS

Mary Ellen continued her memoir, Out of Control, telling of a mother who confronts her troubled son and his behavior in the early morning hours and finds an unwelcome visitor.

Suzy Stueben kept us laughing and wondering about Mrs. Walters' New Neighbors, including some rather inept robbers’ attempts to rob a local grocery. Mrs. Walters had rather unique ways of foiling their efforts.

Denise Taylor read more of Chapter 2, “It's Not Fair,” in her work, All the Little Secrets. We learned more about the 4 J's group of girls and their dealings with drinking, diabetes, and each other.

Michelle Vargus had us debating how she should end her story, “Just Us.” Should she kill the predator whose activities reminded her of her own sexual ordeal, or should she let him live?

Bob Moulesong’s short story was about a widower, Luke, who was told by his dying wife to “Tend the Garden.” Bob showed the hidden, tender part of a man's grief while to the outside world he displayed anger as a way of coping.

Beverly Stanislawski shared her Shakespearean sonnet, “Twilight,” which described various colors used by the sun when it was about to set.

Janice Beier, who has temporarily taken a break from her children’s book writing, has turned entrepreneur. She read us her speech, which was part of an inventors' contest in which she took fifth place. Her idea was “The Rolly Bowl,” a bowl with retractable lids that stayed on the device for mess-free use. Her presentation included pictures of the product.

Paul Mulligan continued with Chapter 2 “What Would You Do?”of his novel, Be Brave and Die – Damn It. This section portrayed a young boy and girl and their fateful encounter on class project. Could this be the beginning of a budding romance?
Donna shared her poem, “Hey, Look at Me!” While the girl portrayed had many major achievements in her young life, she would have given them all up just for being more “popular” with the in-crowd.

Sharon Palmeri, In honor of Mothers' Day coming up, offered her story, “The Lonely Rose,” which showed some possible insights into her mother's lonely life.  Her mother’s love for dancing was evident even though she danced alone. Her mother also loved picking single roses and watching them slowly unfold.  As the world turned without her, she became depressed, neglected her rose garden and herself.