May 2013 W: http://writersfsc.org.au/ M: 0418487322 E: [email protected] FB: https://www.facebook.com/WritersOfTheFarSouthCoast

NEWSLETTER OF THE WRITERS OF THE FAR SOUTH COAST Next meeting Saturday 18th May 2013 from 10AM

Hello fellow writers, and welcome to our May 2013 Newsletter! I'm sitting by the fire on a cold night. One of the first of the year, as we inexorably move towards the coolth of Winter. Time to spend writing and planning and thinking and writing some more. Research is another thing I will spend an inordinate amount of time doing, when trying to write the book on which I am currently working. I console myself with the fact that this is so very much easier since the advent of the the Internet and modern computing – and it is about this very thing I will be spending time on, in the workshop this coming Saturday... Being able to use the tools that technology affords us is a key to vast resources on the Internet. If you have struggled or still struggle with the Internet and with IT generally, why not come along to the workshop this Saturday at 1PM: Writer's IT -Part 2: IT Resources for writers. After 25 plus years of experience in the IT industry and several of those in publishing and ePublishing, I will explore some of the wonderful resources available to writers in the 21st Century. The tools, the Internet, social networking, and some stargazing- where's it all going? There will also be a big chunk of time for Q&A for attendees, so bring your IT questions along for Chris! Or send the questions to him in advance at [email protected] See you there!! Christopher A. Nicholls M: +61(0)418 487322 P: +61 (0)2 6495 1093 E: [email protected]

Notes from our April Meeting... reported by Jacqui Jaffrey Morning Session Before starting the script reading, Chris Nicholls explained the new set up for submitting work for reading (a feedback sheet to be filled out). This is available on the website. We had a very entertaining morning, hearing such a variety of topics. What a timely reminder of what a wealth of talent is to be found within our group!

Les Sullivan presented the next section of his illuminating memories of the Second World War. This was a particularly interesting piece as it vividly conveyed the impact on Australians and their culture of the large numbers of American soldiers who were stationed in Australia during the latter part of the war. How interesting to discover that the first ice cream parlour in Townsville was created in response to the American soldiers missing this treat, and that the segregated practices of America were carried over with the soldiers, as a separate night club for blacks in Kings Cross was established to cover the needs of the black American soldiers. It was also amusing to hear about the ‘over the’ top hysteria reflected in Government propaganda in response to the perceived threat of Japanese invasion. It is encouraging to see that already members are writing scripts for the ‘Short and Sweet’ play competition. Rosslyn Thomas’ script about a mother’s apprehensive response to what she thinks are her daughter Sarah’s activities at camp provided a humorous touch to the mother/daughter relationship theme. Nance Cookson’s ‘Ask Your Mother’ script was hilarious with a most unusual twist to the common scenario of a son and his girlfriend seeking his mother’s approval of the relationship. Mary Whitby presented two of her poems to the group – one about a wooden elephant and the other about a spider. Mary’s ability to use memorable imagery and to use sensory appeal always makes for an enjoyable reading from Mary. Jacqui Jaffrey provided the group with a true account of raising a baby wattlebird called Bunty that her daughter brought home. Her story revealed what an engaging character Bunty was, and it was pleasing to hear that eventually Bunty successfully integrated back into the wild, finding a new partner in the process. Susie Sarah read out her latest entry in Vanessa Milton’s 500 word stories for the ABC. This autobiographical piece wittily reflected on Susie’s act of rebellion in taking up life as a masseur, a decision that became a catalyst for major changes in her life, including the end of a twenty-year marriage. Loretta Ashby demonstrated her interest and knowledge of mythology in the reading of her very innovative, clever piece called ‘The Swan Children’ which explored the lives of a group of children born from the eggs of the swan. Those who know their Greek myths will recognise many of the names in this piece, and Loretta enthralled us with her interpretation of some of the outcomes that resulted from events in these myths. Maggie Benjamin’s true story ‘The Last Resort’ reminds us how many eccentric characters abound in Australia. This episode focuses on a delightfully eccentric woman called Florrie with no teeth, who lives in an old shack that is so basic, it is barely habitable. Florrie and her husband moved into this shack just after they were married, and did not attempt to improve it, as it was supposed to be only temporary. Forty years later and a widow, Florrie could not imagine living anywhere else, telling Maggie about her life. The delicious scones she served during her conversation brought home to us that you do not need a designer kitchen to create good food. The morning session finished with two new members being introduced – Annie and David. David has moved to our area from Tasmania where he was a songwriter and performer. His witty rendition of ‘Father Time about meeting an ex-wife and not recognising her demonstrated how effectively song lyrics can become poems.

Afternoon Session Rosslyn Thomas presented the afternoon workshop based on Myths, Legends, Fairy Stories and Dreams. Using extensive classical examples (e.g. the Odyssey, the Iliad), she outlined the origins and characteristics of myths and legends, which are found in most cultures. Myths are stories created long ago to explain some phenomenon of the natural world, and are often passed down from generation to generation. Legends are stories handed down from the past, which tell of famous exploits often performed by super heroes and heroines. Rosslyn outlined the three major phases of these stories: 1) Separation of the hero 2) Initiation of the hero 3) Return of the hero Rosslyn then went on to explore the characteristics of fairy tales, which usually begin with a phrase such as Once upon a time, A long time ago etc. The setting of these tales is usually a castle, forest or town and is peopled by at least one good character and some bad characters (including witches, goblins, evil stepmothers). Magic is usually an element in the story and often there is a problem or a challenge that the protagonist must overcome. Such stories use symbolism heavily to develop their themes. The final area Rosslyn discussed was the nature of dreams (which is often our unconscious state trying to sort out conscious problems). Using Carl Jung’s book Man and His Symbols as her reference, she outlined the interpretation of some of the most common dreams. The afternoon session concluded with a list of topics that we might use to attempt to write a myth, legend, fairytale or dream to bring to our next meeting. These are: A. Create a myth to explain: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

How did the earth get here? How did oceans begin? How did volcanoes start? Why does night exist? How did human beings get here? Why does the moon change shape? How does rain come? How did birds learn to fly?

B. Your hero or heroine’s story. Use the three phases of a story. C. Once Upon a Time…Use fairy tale characteristics D. My weirdest dream (maybe with an explanation)

A Short Story to Inspire. Once upon a Time a Dream...

O

nce upon a time, there was a dream.

It blinked awake, it yawned, it stretched; or it did none of these things, because dreams do not do such things. However, it did start to think for itself. It had grown strong on repetition and sensation and lust. It was becoming. … becoming something new(born). The dream was no longer satisfied with repetition and sensation and lust. The dream, if it remained a dream, wanted to travel and see the world. It left. It journeyed from sleeper to sleeper, and it fed on new sensation and new lust. It grew stronger. It became. Eventually it realised that although everything was different, everything was the same. Everything was repeating, still, again. It thought about this as it travelled from sleeper to sleeper, repeating and feeding and becoming. It thought for a long time. It started to keep things; nothing too important, nothing to be missed, but little things. It carried odds and ends of people, but perhaps it always had. Perhaps. In any case, it was becoming. Inside one sleeper, it looked at all the odds and ends it had collected. It thought that it might have enough to build something. It built something. It stacked and stitched together all the pieces it had taken from people. It made a person, or a Frankenstein's monster; which are not so different at heart. It built itself inside the sleeper. It became for real. The sleeper unravelled into nothing, unless it, no longer he, became a minuscule hint of something. A dream?

- Loretta Ashby, © 2013

Important items of news... Workshop: IT for Writers Part 2: Resources for Writers. After 25 plus years of experience in the IT industry and several of those in publishing and ePublishing, Chris Nicholls will explore some more of the wonderful resources available to writers in the 21st Century. The tools, the Internet, social networking, and some stargazing- where's it all going? This is in preparation for next month’s workshop – Self Publishing on Amazon. There will also be a big chunk of time for Q&A for attendees, so bring your IT questions along for Chris! Or email the questions to him in advance. This session will be held at 1o’clock on Saturday 18 th May at Club Sapphire, upstairs in the Sapphire Room. $10 or $5 for members. In the morning we will have the usual manuscript clinic starting at 10am. To find out more you can email [email protected] or join us on FaceBook http://www.facebook.com/WritersOfTheFarSouthCoast or writersfsc.org.au All are welcome.

News from Afar... Opportunities Call for Submissions: Carina Press Carina Press is looking for romance books of around 60,000 words and up. They can be any subgenre of romance, but the characters should fall in the age ranges of late teens to mid-twenties and be dealing with the emotional drama, high conflict and life changes that people in this age range usually experience. Carina Press is particularly seeking erotic romance, m/m romance and historical romance for a Q1 2014 publication schedule. In addition to those genres, they are also looking for a paranormal romance series they can break out and build, and for authors to write contemporary cowboy romances. Visit: www.carinapress.com for submissions guidelines and FAQ.

Call for Submissions: Harlequin E Harlequin is looking for innovative storytelling to publish under its new imprint, Harlequin E. Whether your story is a romance, mystery, science-fiction tale, you are a debut author or have crafted multiple novels and are looking for an opportunity to push the boundaries, Harlequin E is interested. More information at: www.harlequin.com/harlequindigital 20 May

ABR Patrons’ Editorial Internship Australian Book Review (ABR) is seeking an energetic and highly literate part-time (.8) editorial

intern to help edit and digitise Australia’s premier literary magazine. The Internship is worth $20,000 over eight months. For more info visit: http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/images/PDFs/ABR_Patrons_Internship_Job_Description.pdf

Competitions 20 May

Short + Sweet Script Entries Script entries are now open for Short+Sweet Theatre 2013-2014. For the entry fee of $20, your script will be considered for 10 Short+Sweet festivals performing in Australia in 2013-2014. Details at: www.shortandsweet.org/shortsweet-theatre/submit-script 24 May

Queensland Literary Awards The 2013 Queensland Literary Awards are now accepting nominations. Categories include: Book of the Year, Fiction Book, Non-Fiction Book, History Book, Poetry Collection, Short Story Collection, Young Adult Book, Children’s Book, Film Script, Emerging Author, and Unpublished Indigenous Writer.www.queenslandliteraryawards.com 31 May

ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize The 2013 Australian Book Review Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize is one of Australia’s most lucrative prizes for an original short story. The prize is worth $5,000 (first prize), with supplementary prizes of $2,000 and $1,000. Details at: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize

1 June

BLAZE Writing Contest Harlequin® Blaze™ is having a writing contest. Send your synopsis (max 10 pgs) and first chapter (max 25 pgs) of a Harlequin Blaze targeted manuscript [email protected]. First place winner will have a Blaze editor as a mentor for a month for manuscript advice and guidance. Second place winner will get a one-time editorial consultation regarding the submission. Third place winner will receive a six months’ subscription to the Harlequin Blaze series. For the full contest rules, please visit: http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/1084-Harlequin-Blaze-NeedsYOU

Writers of the Far South Coast – Reading Clinic Form Name: Clinic date: / / Synopsis of written piece:

Time required (approx.) __ minutes

What you want from the reading: Y or N? Editing advice

__

Style advice

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Characterisation review

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General feedback

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Other: ( Explain )

See you at the next meeting 10AM Saturday 18th May 2013!