An array of clustered chairs greeted us, each with a pen and a pad of Mercure note paper. We were going to be busy!
Marion greeted and organised us. Her first instruction was for members, armed with favourite books, to add their names, in pretty, green ink, to the flip chart sheet, also noting the title of their book, and its author.
Next, we ‘sold’ our choices to our group, highlighting aspects which made each book special to us.
My group presented an eclectic range: a family mystery; a how-to book about writing a thriller; a classic of twentieth century science fiction; a dystopian climate-change tale, and a horror story of epic proportions, meta-textual in its formatting and highly original.
After thirty minutes listening to our readers’ recommendations, and discussing selections, Marion encouraged members to share their choices, and reasons, with the room. Five volunteers revealed their titles: a novel exploring the horrors of the Magdalene Laundries, a vigilante crime novel, a story in which the aging protagonist reminisces and puzzles over a life-long mystery, a romance which also subtly explores autism, and finally, the reprint of a World War II novel focusing on a wife and mother fighting against the deprivations of the time.
Tea break provided the opportunity to peruse the actual books, and chat in more depth with those who had brought them – a good chance to add to our reading lists.
Part two of the evening got us writing.
The first challenge was to describe a principle character from our books, without mentioning physical features but to focus on their emotions, motivations, hopes, and fears. Listening to four members share their descriptions, provided further interesting insights.
The final task was the tougher one: write a scene not included in the novel which dramatically changes the protagonist’s path. We were all relieved that the vigilante criminal began to see the error of his ways!
And suddenly, it was time for The Final Word, this time a poem written by Janice Johnson, ably read by Fiona McFadzean.
Thanks, Marion, for guiding us through an interesting evening.
Carolyn O’Hara