JULY 6, 2017

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Kathy Flotz, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Palmeri, Bob Philpot, Caren Von See, Al Koch, Diane Stratton, Ruthann Graczyk, George Miga, Mary  Lu Cowley, Donna Eckelbarger

GUESTS PRESENT:

Angelina Mendoza, Rhonda Garcia

OLD BUSINESS:

A vote of approval for the June 15, 2017 minutes was first given by CAREN VON SEE and seconded by RHONDA GARCIA

NEW BUSINESS:

Since we had two new guests and a few of our members hadn’t met each other, it was decided that each member would introduce themselves to the guests.

LITERARY NEWS:

GEORGE MIGA stated that he had finally gotten his book, “Medal of Dishonor,” published.  This was a novel that most of our members were familiar with and all applauded when we were told.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM:

SHARON PALMERI opened the program by explaining how writing a script may help writers who struggle with writing dialogue, and may help them get more familiar with their characters. She discussed elements of screenplay writing and explained the difference between screenplay writing and play-writing.  Sharon loaned members a booklet of information on screenplays that included several articles on the subject -- beginning with an Interview with Michael Hauge, entitled “Essential Elements of a Successful Script.” Sharon explained that these elements were also necessary for writing good novels. She also stated you must belong to the Screenwriter’s Guild to even have your screenplay looked at or considered for purchase by anyone well-known in the movie industry, (unless you have a personal contact, or "know someone in the business." She also gave members a booklet called Breaking Out Today – Tips and Techniques to Quantum Leap Your Writing Above and Beyond the Literary Pack.  In addition, she also passed around two books on writing screenplays. Sharon ended the program by asking members to try to convert one of their short stories (or part of one) to a screenplay. She emphasized that this was NOT an “assignment” but a suggestion or challenge to help writers with dialogue and getting better acquainted with their characters.

READINGS:

BOB PHILPOT read four pages of his novel, Strange Friends.  This part of his novel starts with Zeb entering an old western store for a drink.  The old owner of the store told him there had been a man coming into the store earlier looking for him.  The man looked like a “ugly cuss” that might mean harm.  Upon telling this to Zeb, the man entered the store, telling him that he had a message from Don Miguel saying that he had no problem with Zeb killing a man named Raul.  He had come in peace.

CAREN VON SEE read her four-page short story written from a prompt on our W.O.H. Facebook group page.  The story, entitled, “The Egg,” began with Charlene returning home to find the house door opened, most of her furniture removed, and rooms trashed.  Vowing vengeance she sought out her ex-husband, telling him she knew what he was really after.

KATHY FLOTZ read her free verse, five-stanza poem, entitled “The Awakening.” The poem, written several years prior at her cabin in Michigan, tells of awakening in the morning to the sounds of birds singing, woodpeckers hammering and all the birds “proclaiming their praises.”

DONNA ECKELBARGER read her one page children’s story entitled, “Penny, Don’t Forget Your Library Book!”  The story tells of five-year-old Penny trying to get ready for school and having to fight each morning with her bed, who keeps trying to stop her.

DIANE STRATTON read her two-page short story entitled, “That Concert of My Dreams.”  The story tells of true events when she went, with a friend, to see her favorite country star Eddie Rabbitt.  Before entering the Star Plaza Theater they get invited into the trailer which the stars traveled in – which turned out to be Dottie West’s band.  Before they left that night Dottie West befriend them and invited them for a back-stage view or the show. She left the show with a great deal of respect for Dottie, and she became a favorite singer of Dottie West. Oh, yes – she and her friend did see Eddie Rabbit, who completely ignored them as he walked by.

AL KOCH read his hilarious two-page short story entitled, “Laughing Sheep.”  His true story told of his time as a teacher when one of his students asked him where steel wool came from.  He decided that telling them the truth was much more boring than the story he told them that steel wool actually came from a special breed of sheep, and of how these certain sheep almost became extinct, due to rusting.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

Respectfully Submitted:

SHARON BUCKMAN