Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2006 11:06 AM
Subject: The Ram's Head Review

Hello Fellow Rams,
 
Great meeting Thursday night.  It was so good to see other writers after a 3 week summer break.
 
Michael joined us for the first time since last fall, and brought his lovely fiancee, Candice, with him.  They are doing their wedding scene in Vegas on the 22nd.  Congratulations.
 
Lynette read first, a piece she was thinking of sending to Cup Of Comfort for a book they are doing on writers.  Her article tells of the journey she took through life as a writer, and even though writing wasn't her career, it has sustained her through difficult times.  And Lynette admits that she still doesn't feel comfortable calling herself a "writer", because doing so sets up so many expectations in her own mind of what that means, of what she should do and how she should live.  But you know what?  We can all still be writers even if we are not published, don't write all day every day, or don't make a living at it.  The simple act of pen to paper, or fingers to the keyboard, can make one a writer.  The fame and fortune, though, are a whole different story.
 
I passed around the postcard we received from Susan, who is still away in Nfld.  She said her drive through the Yellowhead and Jasper, with her 4 children, turned out well.  And she said she had received another rejection since we last saw her.  She should be home again around Aug. 20th.
 
Michael gave me a copy of "Hags, Sirens and Other Bad Girls of Fantasy" edited by Denise Little, an anthology of short stories which included Michaels' story "Dust" about the deviant tooth fairy.  And It also included Nathaniel's short story "Tsonoqua" about a Haida character who disposes of wayward people who harm their community.  Amazing, two of our members published in one book.  Congratulations.
 
Ellie read more of her novel.  We see that Leala is grateful to Jarod for his help, and has a crush on him.  Medala is also attracted to Jarod, and she notices that the amulet he is wearing is similar to her own, and wonders if they are kin.  Drusana worries that Gamadon will seek revenge on them, and that Brekken won't be able to help them.
 
Michael read to us his short story "Favio De Marco", which is being published Dec. 4th in a "Cosmic Cocktails" anthology, along with another story of his entited "Hyperbole Engine".  The story Michael read is 6000 words, and so he read very fast.  But the story was exciting, and moved quickly, and we thoroughly enjoyed the thrill and adventure and humour of it.
 
I had 2 pieces to read, a short story and Chapter Thirty from my novel.  The short story, "Fine Print" is a futuristic piece of humour of a woman going to the Service Department of the manufacturer to exchange the "man" in her life.  From my novel, the chapter has Cam finding his friend, Miles, camping out back of his grandfather's home because he has nowhere else to go.  I spent all day Thursday working on those two pieces, and it was amazing to have that much time at once to spend on writing.  Really enjoyed myself.
 
Candice says that Michael is urging her to try some writing of her own.  They are attempting to work on some pieces together, as well.  So we may have another writer to join us.  She said she enjoyed the meeting.
 
Bob hasn't done any writing as he spends most of his free time watching baseball over the internet.
 
Nathaniel is away on holidays for another couple of weeks.  He did say he was going to the old York Factory site in Hudson Bay to do research for his novel.
 
Sadly, Dana Ramstedt is moving away and will no longer be running the Wired Monk Langley/Aldergrove writing contest.  Oh well, just have to think of submitting elsewhere.
 
Next meeting here at my place at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17th.  Hope to see you then.  May The Muse be whispering in your ear until then.
 
Lisa