JUNE 6, 2012

 I don't need an alarm clock. My ideas wake me.

                           ~~Ray Bradbury~~

                       

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Jane Burns, Tom Spencer, Sharon Buckman, Sharon Jesik, Michelle Vargas, Kathy Flotz, Donna Douglass, Lisa Groszek, Tom Molnar, Julie Perkins, Ron Trigg, Liz Wilson, Beverly Stanislawski, Gail Galvan, Laurie Chase, Sharon Palmeri, George Miga

GUESTS PRESENT:

Meggie Tolkland

   

NEW BUSINESS:

LISA GROSZEK mentioned that an error had occurred in the May 16^th minutes – the sequel to her newest novel, “Lonesome Isle,” had mistakenly been titled “Lonesome Dove,” (although it seems like we had heard of that title somewhere else. Movie?)  A vote of approval was then asked for and was given by TOM MOLNAR and seconded by LISA GROSZEK.  (Note: Lisa, the May 16 minutes have now been changed to the appropriate title)

SHARON PALMERI asked the members if they wanted to have their regular meeting canceled on July 4^th – it was decided there would be no meeting  at that time.

LITERARY NEWS:

LISA GROSZEK mentioned that she and  TOM MOLNAR would be at Printer’s Row this weekend and encouraged all our members to attend as well.

TOM SPENCER stated that the Poetry Extravaganza, to be held at the Radisson Hotel in Merrillville from Wednesday through Monday, has  80 registered  people from all over the country.  The price would be $30.00 for one day or $225.00 for the whole weekend (meals included.)

SHARON PALMERI  brought along two videos to discuss with the members.   

The first was a movie entitled, “Shadows In The Sun,” a story involves to two writers which Sharon thought most of the members would enjoy.

The second was a movie entitled, “Educating Rita,” a story about a woman living in London who wanted to learn literature and how to learn, speak and write like “ an educated woman”;  she therefore decided to attend an open university to  study literature during her off time.  

Sharon stated   there was a new section on the Write On Hoosier blog called “Featured Famous Writers” and their work. She mentioned that this will be updated with new writers periodically,  and she has collected a number of names from the members to feature their favorite writers and poets.  

She also mentioned another New section in the blog that is in the works; it will be called Newly Published Books By Members”.  In this section members’ new books will be featured for about a month or so before being placed in the Members’ Book Section.

Sharon also mentioned that since she is a paid member of Writers Market http://www.writersmarket.com/   she received an e-mail for an update that may interest some members. This includes a polishing of your query letter and 100 sample query letters and a downloadable book on submitting and formatting your manuscript, and more.  She said it was worth checking out at Writers Market Plus Upgrade

SHARON BUCKMAN mentioned that her novel, “Canopy of Leaves,” was in the process of being published and would hopefully be released by the end of July.  

READINGS:

DONNA DOUGLASS read her short story, “I Scare ‘Em In The Harem.”  After watching an ABC News broadcast in the fall of 2011, Donna recognized an old friend who she had dated in her college days.  She remembered attending a farewell party with him that was attended with various musicians and a belly dancer.  After enjoying several drinks Donna also remembered deciding to give belly dancing a try herself, she was a success.

SHARON JESIK read the first part of her three part short story entitled, “Triptych.”  The story was about a rather “shallow” art teacher who seemed to enjoy degrading his students, this, it seems, was about the only thing he enjoyed about his job.

TOM SPENCER brought his three stanza sonnet entitled “Sonnet of the Sun.”  This beautiful sonnet told of the beauty brought by the sun and ended with to “Warm our hearts and cleanse our weary souls.”

JULIE PERKINS, after teaching us about the strict pattern of a Sestina (follow link to learn more) Julie read her Sestina entitled, “An Afghan Girl.”  The story compared an afghan girl using a cell phone which caused a very tragic ending to an American girl, which had a much different ending.

LIZ WILSON read her short story entitled, “Israfel.”  The story, written by Liz several years prior, told of a ruler in Persia who’s insatiable hunger for the sacrifice of a young woman each full moon.  The story ended with a young girl who’s “world of sweet music, unbroken by their vain promises of paradise and honor.”

JANE BURNS read four pages from the end of her sixth chapter entitled “Atalanta.” During this part of the novel Atalanta was placed in a comfortable chair and as a rhythm of syncopated drum beats began, the purpose of which was to relax her, taking her back in memory.

MICHELLE VARGAS read four pages of her novel, Striving After Wind. The novel, partly based on a true story, told of the conflict between Helen Brandt and her caretaker, Tabitha, which prevented the Tolleston Gun Club from purchasing the property.  This part of the story mostly dealt with the hard life of Tabitha as she tried to take care of Helen Brandt.

GEORGE MIGA continued with his novel, Medal of Dishonor.  After finally finding Bobby Geary, McCall found that the one man that could prove who the Medal of Honor rightfully belong to, was in very bad shape and living in terrible conditions.

LISA GROSZEK continued with her novel, Maude Defined.  In this two page part of her novel, Lucius took Maude into a café after James had suddenly left, pretending to try and help her through her transition.  Upon James return he suddenly left.

BEVERLY STANISLAWSKI read her two page children’s story entitled, “Gladly, the Cross-eyed Bear.”  This delightful story told of a little bear that saw two of everything because of being cross-eyed.  After trying to save his “two” sisters from drowning he hit his head on a large boulder.  After awakening from his ordeal he discovered he had only one mother and one sister and was told he was a hero.

GAIL GALVAN read a chapter  entitled, Southsider's Big Plans from her novel in progress.   This part of the novel tells of some gangster rabbits living on the south side of Chicago and trying to find a way to get to a place near Boise Idaho where rabbits grow tall, due to the artesian spring water and digital frequency changes.

TOM MOLNAR read his two page article on “How to prepare and get your book on Amazon.”  His informative article told of Createspace, since he felt it was the easiest and cheapest way to go, and how best to proceed for those who wished to self publish.

RON TRIGG continued with his memoir Moments on an African Landscape.  In this part of his memoir, entitled “Nile Voyeur,” he told of a trip in Sudan to view a hippo.  It ended with his viewing something that could have possibly placed his life in  jeopardy and quickly returning back in the direction he came from.

LAURIE CHASE Unfortunately we did not get to Laurie’s story due to a time constraint, but she will first, front and center at the next meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted:

Sharon Buckman

Ray Douglas Bradbury 

 (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012)

Ray Bradbury was born in 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois, to Esther (Moberg) Bradbury, a Swedish immigrant, and Leonard Spaulding Bradbury, a power and telephone lineman. They gave him the middle name “Douglas,” after the actor Douglas Fairbanks.

Did you know Bradbury was related to the American Shakespeare scholar Douglas Spaulding?  Or that he was also descended from Mary Bradbury, who was tried at one of the Salem witch trials in 1692?

You can read more by clicking on the following links:   Wikipedia. Org -- Ray Bradbury,  or at Ray Bradbury Online

 

"Do you know why teachers use me? Because I speak in tongues. I write metaphors. Every one of my stories is a metaphor you can remember." ~~Ray Bradbury~~