Time travel and alternative realities…revenge, anxiety and grief… spooky woods, heaven’s pearly gates, a funeral and an influencer – all played vital roles in developing and shaping some of our members’ stories presented for critique at the club’s last feedback session of 2024.
Our new Vice President, Gavin took control of the gavel, organised the submitted pieces, and presided over the evening, giving Club Presidents – Carrie and me – the opportunity to sit in ‘the body o’ the kirk’ and participate in the feedback process.
Eleven members had braved the icy elements to attend, including one intrepid writer who, with opening chapter of their novel in hand, travelled over 65 miles to get to the Mercure! We split into three groups, and Gavin distributed the work. We read intriguing flash fictions and short stories, enjoyed chapters from three very different novels – speculative fiction, a murder mystery and a historical family saga – and were bewitched by a chapter from a children’s fantasy novel plus an amusing children’s picture book story offering a positive message, and accompanied by a bright, eye-catching illustration.
Working hard, we analysed and discussed each of the submitted stories and extracts. After a well-earned latte, biscuit and blether, we regrouped to deliver our verbal feedback and discover who had written that dark story of a disgruntled employee or the funny flash with the serious undertone?
Positive comments shared about our contributors’ writing:
*Compelling first lines drawing readers immediately into the story
*Praise for quirky humour and unique and charming ideas
*Good use of striking imagery that evokes memories and emotions
*Poses plenty of questions and leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next
Constructive advice given :
*Check punctuation (especially watch the use of apostrophes)
*Expand your ideas and give more information
*(Conversely), don’t overwhelm your piece with too much description.
*Read your work aloud – this can draw attention to errors or clunky prose or stilted dialogue, and in the case of writing for young children, helps develop the rhythmic flow and rhyming text of th
e story.
Our feedback night was, as always, a worthwhile and productive evening. It was encouraging that some of our new members had attended and bravely brought their work along for critique. Well done, it’s not easy letting others read your writing, and pass comment on it, for the first time, however I’m sure everyone benefited from the experience.
So, thank you for taking part.
We all enjoyed reading and talking about the stories so much we lost track of time, and the evening ran over by about 20 minutes….Ooops.
As we rushed out the door to head home, I reflected that this is when time travel would come in handy!
Linda Brown