Telling Stories at the Writers' Circle

Last night at Brodie Library a few members of the Writers' Circle met for a Chirstmas get-to-gether and we began to tell wild animal tales, which I believe is a uniquely northern pastime.

Bear stories, moose encounters , a weasel tale--anecdote followed anecdote. There was the weasel done in by the household cat after a wild battle which left a permanent v shaped notch in the cat's ear, the bear who dragged the barrel of sunflower seeds away from the house before eating them in the bush, the determined bear that crushed cans of peas and peaches with its paws and bit into them emptying the contents, the wolf who trotted down Bay Steet and the country dog that got skunk-sprayed, the incident seen by everyone inside the camp during a flash of lightening. The weasel in the cook tent was tolerated by the cook because it kept down the mice. Mama bear sent her cub into the shed to bring out the bags of garbage stored for pick-up day. Everyone in the north has a selection of animal stories.

Keith Johnson had brought along some old comic poems, including The Face on the Bar Room Floor, a poem I had heard of but never heard. Goodies and coffee ended the evening.

The Writers Circle usually meets at Waverley Library once a month on a Wednesday. All welcome.

Writers Circle Update

You are welcome to join in on the last Wednesday of every month at Waverly Library.

Last night, the group discussed the next anthology of their work. Marianne Wahl suggested dividing the book into categories such as mystery stories, science fiction, poetry, the human condition, memoir etc and etc. In the group's latest anthology, the works were set in alphabetical order by author; but there was a general consensus that the subject categories may be more interesting to readers. Then too, writers might consider the categories when preparing their own submissions. The group will begin accepting submissions (short fiction, memoir, non-fiction as well as poetry) at the August meeting on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 pm. Note: because the library closes early, the meeting starts at 6:30 rather than the usual time of 7 p.m.

Judith Greencorn led a discussion on publishers and publishing. The meeting continued with a fun writing excise. Joan Baril read a short story called "Unbullshitable."

In July, Paul Gooding will speak on Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning: Their Life, Letters and Love. Wednesday July 29. Please note: because the library closes early, the meeting will start at 6:30 rather than 7 pm.

At the September meeting (Wednesday, September 30) Alan Wade will discuss "The First Story Tellers of the Local Ojibway."