THE RAM’S HEAD REVIEW

April 22, 2007 

There were seven of us here to worship The Muse Thursday night. Lynette had a free evening and wanted to join us, even if she isn’t doing any creative writing at this point. Bob said he had done some writing about Stitkin Jewellers but hasn’t finished it yet. He also came across another jeweller he had missed, Dale Markwart. And Thursday was not a good day for Bob as his car was hit anonymously in a parking lot while his wife was in the mall shopping. And Lynette said Gemma is still trying to recover from the accident in which she was hurt.  Stay safe, Dear Rams, stay safe. 

Ellie read of Jenny being uncertain of her own powers and she starts crying. The old wizard takes her hands and tells her to come with him to Lorimar to be trained.  She doesn’t want to leave her job, but still wants to go with the wizard.  He said he could stop time in her world while she was gone, so she could come back to her present life without anything having changed. She decides to go with him. We are all fascinated with this story and really hope Ellie will finish it. Either that, or we need another writer who only does endings. 

Margaret read of Peabody’s housekeeper, Marie, ar the Art Club, disgusted with the judging, and she takes her “Last Supper” home. But she missed all the comments that Peabody’s and Peacock’s display of “The Lost Slipper” elicited. At home, Marie can’t find the paint rag and the glue that the Reverends had used in the art display they had entered on Marie’s behalf. Sometime later, Marie receives a cheque for “The Lost Slipper”.  

Susan read Chapter 14.  Barley is at home the next morning and his Mom makes him breakfast. He then picks up Phyllis and they go to Redwood Park to look for the next cache.  After some delays, they find the next clue which gives them co-ordinates for downtown Vancouver, on Canada Day, and they only have a few hours left before co-ordinates will not be as precise. 

Amanda read two prose pieces, both untitled. These pieces of writing had children as the intended audience. The first was personification of an owl as he spots prey and goes after it. The second piece is part of a series Amanda is writing about virtues that children should be learning in school. They are to show problems encountered by students and then a virtuous resolution, aimed at Gr. 3 or 4. This story was about an autistic girl being bullied by other students, but wasn’t yet finished, so we don’t know what the virtuous outcome was. Hope we get to hear that in the future. 

I read my article, “Two Marbles” which had appeared in Seniors Newsmagazine. It was about cleaning out my mother’s jewellery box when she went into a nursing home. I’m going to have Sonny put it on our website for Mothers’ Day. 

And for those who like to laugh: 

“I borrowed a book last week,” Judi complained to the librarian, “and it was horrible!” 

“What was wrong with it?” the librarian asked. 

“It had way too many characters, and there was no plot line whatsoever!” Judi complained. 

“Ahh,” said the librarian, “you must be the person who took the phone book.” 

So if your stories read like a phone book, you need a longer conversation with The Muse. 

On Friday morning, Ann and I ensconced ourselves at a table on a patio at a bar and grill overlooking the beach down at White Rock. We chatted writing over coffee and then brunch.  It would be a great place for writers to meet for a writing session and then lunch. The coffee was good, they are licenced, food was not overpriced.  The patio has glass partitions coming up from the railing, to deflect the wind, and they have lots of space heaters if the weather is cool. The bar opens at 11:00 and they said if I call in advance they would reserve space for us. A Friday would probably be best for me and Ann. Anybody else interested?  Let me know.  

Ann’s creative writing course had her attempt a screenplay, and the next course she’s taking will have her doing a novella. She said she’s learning lots. 

Next meeting here at my place on Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. Look forward to seeing you then. 

Lisa