Abilene Writers Guild Meeting Minutes
Center for Contemporary Arts Building
August 27, 2003
President Rollins called the meeting to order.
The July minutes were approved as posted at www.abilenewritersguild.org.
Treasurer McMillan reported $2,662.26 in the account, with 81 current members. Anyone wishing to join should pay Gail McMillan. The September newsletter will be mailed only to paid members.
New members and guests were announced.
Members shared their brags and sags.
Mary Craig presented her guinea pig report. McFarland was not interested in the original project; instead, they wanted a 100,000 word scholarly treatise on rodeo. Mary declined. One member questioned whether Mary had written the project, or was waiting for a publisher to request it. President Rollins explained that authors propose non-fiction projects and get approval before writing; fiction projects are presented to publishers as completed works.
Nancy reminded those present about the Texas Book & Author Festival scheduled September 25-27, and recognized all present who had published a book since September 2003.
Nancy Masters announced winners of the August contest, flash fiction. There were 12 entries.
- 3rd - A Huntin We're Agonna Go by James Carpenter
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2nd - Scene 3, Take 1 by Jan Carrington
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1st - Fancy's Kitchen by Mary Wynn Craig
Nancy told the members to let families know that a specific piece of clothing or jewelry signifies we are writing, and are not to be disturbed. It's as if we are gone.
The program on flash fiction was presented in absentia by Joan Popek. The title should identify the character and set the setting. She included a list of markets that buy flash fiction. Joan suggested when writing flash fiction, we should:
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think small - flash fiction can be 100 words or less
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focus on one powerful image - keep the reader's attention on one thing
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focus on one powerful image - keep the reader's attention on one thing
start in the middle of the action - readers can assume what has gone before
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focus on one powerful image - keep the reader's attention on one thing
be allusive - there is no room to explain everything, so allude to events, people or places
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focus on one powerful image - keep the reader's attention on one thing
make the reader guess until the end - don't give away the punchline
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focus on one powerful image - keep the reader's attention on one thing
use a twist - surprise the reader at the very end
Nancy used Mary Craig's story as an example of flash fiction, and to show readers what a contest entry should look like. If the September entries are not done correctly, they will be disqualified and not judged.
The meeting adjourned and the members enjoyed tasty refreshments provided by Sue Davis and Elaine Coleman.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Wynn Craig
September 21, 2003