Welcome to Felixstowe Scribblers

Saturday, February 26, 2005

Just a reminder that the next meeting will be this coming Tuesday 1st March at the library.......

Hi Scribblers

Just a reminder that the next meeting will be this coming Tuesday 1st March at the library. 7.30 start as usual - please try to bring a cup or mug along for refreshments. remember there is now a 50 pence contribution to the general fund that includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.

The homework theme is GRIDLOCK for those members not involved in the mini-soap. The mini-soap folk will be putting together possible scripts to develope and read out during the second half of the meeting.

Until Tuesday,

Keep Scribbling!

Dave

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Literature Training Website

I've been introduced to Literaturetraining.com the literature site - which claims to be an easy way for writers and all those involved in creating or supporting new writing and literature to find out about the wealth of training and professional development opportunities available in the UK.



via Dipo Agboluaje at The New Wolsey

Monday, February 21, 2005

Your local Suffolk directory

Dave writes...



Have had a request for a reciprocal link of sites and I have agreed. The link is http://www.localsuffolk.co.uk for a large directory of resources for Suffolk residents and visitors.




Your local Suffolk directory

Saturday, February 19, 2005

Web Site Matters:In other news

The software robot run by Google - affectionatley known as the 'Google bot' has called.



Google has found the site and we have been 'crawled' - which to be honest we werent really ready for ....... however without getting too dull we are the 65th Higheset result for Felixstowe ........20th For Writers in Felixstowe (may seem low to some but thats behind a lot of former Scribbler Pat Gardiner's excellent work) ....... which all is cool but here is the great bit........... third for Felixstow Weblogs, and second highest for Felixstowe Scribblers, after Annettes site.

More felixstowe scribbler weblogs and other news.

Felixstowe scribbler and here Felixstowe scribbler



Turns out Magaretia (deadly Gorgeous Austrian Scribbler)was thinking along the same lines as I; and possibly a little while before.

There is not a lot of content in M.s blogs but you get the chance to check out different approaces. Feel free to add contents and Ideas about the layout Magaretia's work shows two approaches which are distinct from my approach.



Also check outMagaretias other (and excellent) Felixstowe Scribblers site.



PS Magaretia - I will email you soon - just been busy........

The Next Meeting will be on 1st March

Thanks for all for attending.

Thursday, February 17, 2005

Report of Meeting Held 15th February 2005


Apologies for absence were received from Caz who is
on holiday in Salisbury and, hopefully enjoying herself. Hope she will be back
for the next meeting! Happy Birthday to Scott who should soon recover
from his birthday bash, from Diane who is now back on her course and
another apology from Sharon & Keith. Don't despair, they will
return!


*****


A special welcome to Rachel who returned to the fold after a
few weeks away, Joining her in attendance were Peter, Allen, Les,
Gordon, Liliane, Ken, Alex, Christine, Sue, Morag, Belinda, Tony, Dick, Judy,
Ann, Richard, Dave and


*****


Members and Other News:



Last week's Committee meeting had to be called off and another
will be arranged at a suitable time.



Minutes of the last meeting were handed to those members who
have no access to the Internet, and this is something we will try to provide
from now on.



After some production problems the in-house Chapter & Verse
magazine for Libraries and Heritage staff has at last passed the final hurdle
and has now been delivered. It was quite problematic this time with computer
breakdowns massive picture files and the like. Glad to say that is my turn as
guest editor out of the way - perhaps until the next time! - Dave



Party Time



Belinda says that she and Geoff and are going out
for her birthday early in March [Tuesday 8th March} and asks if the
Scribblers would like to join them for some good food, a great chat and maybe a
drink or two at The Grosvenor where we all had such a lovely time last month.



 


Felixstowe TV and the mini-soap series.



Following on from the outline by Chris at our last meeting and
the homework which came up with a whole cross section of ideas and few written
words.



Some of those ideas are shown here:-



Peter thought of a gunman holding up a shop when a roving
reporter walks in and reveals some dramatic news….



A car whose brakes failed on Bent Hill ends up in the sea. No
volunteers as everyone wants to keep their cars shining!



Les suggested a family "The Flints" and delivered his
description of the characters with a wide cross section of ages.



Ken thought about a site in a café perhaps where there was
movement of people, coming and going, an errant husband who was thought to be
having an affair but was actually doing something completely different.



Alex had a similar idea to Les about using a family but
thought the Market could be a good setting with plenty of movement. There could
also be something like a Christianity theme included…



Morag had built up her characters and suggested two of them
had a beach hut and went metal detecting. Another character had a dog. They
discovered a body on the beach - which turned out to be a mannequin!



A multitude of ideas that came from Belinda included
Felixstowe's own Loch Ness Monster, a Hairdresser from Hell, Crisis in a broken
down car, Felixstowe going on strike, and a Pageant,



Tony took up on Ken's idea and suggested the wayward
husband was not having an affair at all but would rather admit to that than the
truth - training to be a referee - the second most despised profession in the
world behind his actual career as a traffic warden. Also the Pier could be
closed as Aliens had landed on it.



Dick thought that it should be something of a travelogue
with a kind of story line chase or search from place to place Perhaps two but
ruthless hitmen named Rita and Percy - a plastic bag that was carried everywhere



Someone suggested that a character could be selling weed - not
drugs but seaweed…



Another suggestion was death rays from Bawdsey…



Caz sent in ideas for three characters a mother a son and a
café owner.



My idea was for two central characters appearing in each
episode, old Suffolk boys or a couple, basically commenting on everything that
happened.



Scott also sent in his ideas and even though they were
thought to be a bit too much, such as the survivors of a plane crash washing up
on the shore then trying to live at the fort {Dick knows where the key is kept!}
There could be murder, an evil spirit, or even cannibals appearing in the cast.



And then there was a sock….



align=justify>*****************************************************


There was a lot of discussion with ideas being developed and
finally half the group decided they would like to be involved in writing the
series and stayed behind after the meeting to create a plot and characters for
the first episode.



align=justify>******************************************************

face=Arial>

Felixstowe TV can be found at href="http://felixstowetv.co.uk">face=Arial>http://felixstowetv.co.uk.



*****



The website is going from strength to strength and several
ideas are being developed. Everyone's imput will be valued and some suggestions
have already been received from Jan. The site can be viewed at



face=Arial>http://nar8or.blogspot.com



Comments and suggestions direct to Alex, please on any
aspect of the site.



face=Arial>alexpricea@hotmail.com



Don't forget that if you want to sample a modern adult type
novel or a book of poetry by Dee Rimbaud then contact Dave. These are available
in pdf files and would be forwarded in that format.


*****


Similarly, to the Mills and Boon readers amongst the group -
there surely must be some! - they are on the lookout for new writers and have
sent a comprehensive 22 page set of guide lines. Again anyone interested contact
Dave.


*****


A reminder that a 50 pence fee per meeting operates from now.
This entitles everyone to a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.


Will everyone please bring their own mugs with them for future
meetings…


align=justify>***************************************************************


 


The next Scribblers meeting will be on March
1st
at 7.30pm


The homework is GRIDLOCK suggested by Rachel,
and everyone except those involved with the mini-soap will should
write around 250 + words on the subject. For once there will be no long pieces
as part of the meeting will be to hear and comment on the first draft script of
the soap.


 


*****


Keep Scribbling,


Dave
*****

The Ads: 17th Febuary.......


Open Poetry Competition


Aramby are pleased to announce that Peter McBain from Nottingham has won our
most recent poetry competition which ended on December 2004.


Peter's title will be available from our web site in the Spring.


For further details on how you can win publication of your own booklet of
poetry please click here..... OPEN POETRY COMPETITION


Thank you for your interest.


Kathy Kelso


competition co-ordinator



*****


I run writing workshops in my farmhouse in the Aveyron in South West France.
They are suitable for writers at any level. Beginners end the week with
motivation, enthusiasm and a direction for their writing. Writers with more
experience take home a renewed sense of excitement about their work and some new
ideas on triggering memory and how to give a fresh boost to their writing.


Martrin, my village, is ideal for writers’workshops situated, as it is, in
calm, unspoiled countryside. This is real old rural France, essentially
unchanged since the beginning of the last century. I have a charming,
traditional French farmhouse, modernised to include even bathrooms – completely
lacking when I bought it four years ago. The peace of the surroundings gets the
creative and digestive juices flowing.


Please be so kind as to pass on details of my website to your members and to
anyone else whom you think would benefit from this five day writers’ workshop in
France. Perhaps you might consider bringing a group yourself. I offer a special
group leader’s discount.


The website is www.writing-courses-france.com The physical address is Write here in France! La Bourdique, Martrin,
12550, France. Telephone +33 5 65 99 7645


I look forward to welcoming you and your members here.


Regards


Sharon


Sharon Colback


Creative writing courses in the Aveyron, South West France


Telephone: +33 5 65 99 7645


http://www.writing-courses-France.com


Cape Town. Flat available to rent, two weeks to two months. Magnificent sea
views. Sleeps two. Email or call me for further details.


*****


A piece of information for the writers that comes via Wolsey Theatre
Workshop:


The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award gives a grant of up to
30,000


pounds and a three-week run at The Riverside Studios. The award is given


to an individual or company for a production of their choice. The
deadline


is on 18th February. (......Alex notes well that should keep you busy overnight HAHAHA......)All the details are on their website:


www.osbttrust.com.


*****


Also check out the following interesting site


www.literaturetraining.com


Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Blogger Help : How do I leave comments on a blog?

Blogger Help : How do I leave comments on a blog? is an interesting article about how to post comments .... A while ago Belinda raised questions about some of the Blogger defaults ... Apparently and understandably she wasn't very happy about when the dialog box asked for a 'friends email'.

Its nothing I can take credit for but hopefully this resolves that matter.

Monday, February 14, 2005

London Book Fair - Masterclasses 2005

Dave writes .....



London Book Fair's Writing Masterclasses details at
www.lbf-masterclasses.co.uk - a pretty good looking site.



Alex adds .....


This is really interesting London Book Fair - Masterclasses 2005 it appears there is a whole sieries of writing classes run by the London Book fair for those that are prepared to venture down the 'A Dozen'. I love events like this but this one seems a bit pricey at 100 quid for all three classes. Still its an idea for another year.

Sunday, February 13, 2005

It's that time again.... our next meeting is this coming Tuesday, (15th Febuary) 7.30pm

Hi Scribblers,



It's that time again.... our next meeting is this coming Tuesday, 7.30pm at the Library. The homework theme if you remember, was to create ideas, storylines etc that could be used in the forthcoming mini soap series for Felixstowe TV.




Hope you,ve all come up with an idea or two that we can discuss at the meeting... Decisions will have to be made for the series very soon.....



There is an apology from Scott who will not be with us on Tuesday - it's his BIRTHDAY - and 'tis said that if he can remember it afterwards then he won't have had too good a night!!!


anonymous scribbler writes ........ Scott is a dude and a writer and we all wish him a very happy Birthday ..... but will miss him especialy now we need him most with the Soap ....

Hope to see you on Tuesday so



Keep Scribbling...



Dave
PS Dont forget your Mugs....

The Ads: Cinnamon Press

TEMP NOTE FROM ALEX all their (Cinnamon Press) links seem to be dead at the moment - Ive mailed them - suggest we all try again later - so putting them here has been a bit of a waste of time really - Im sure it will be worth it when they get things going UPDATE all ok now mispelled URL the cause....




Cinnamon Press is a relatively new press based in North Wales,
publishing quality poetry, fiction and non-fiction from writers across
the UK. At present we have two open writing awards that lead to
publication (of a first novel in any genre or first poetry collection).



The awards provide an exiting opportunity for writers to gain the
essential first publication of their collection or novel with an
expanding small press committed to a strong marketing promotion for
every individual title. I hope the awards may be of interest to some of
your members and I would be grateful if you could circulate the details
via your meetings or through newsletter listings, email bulletins or on
your website, if appropriate.


Please feel free to copy this information to other groups or individuals
that might benefit



If you would like further information about submissions you can contact
our commissioning editor jan by email at jan@cinnamonpress.com.



We are always happy to provide website links and listings for
organisations promoting writing or to include your details in any of our
email mailings, so please get in touch if you would like a reciprocal
link or listing.



Best wishes,

Sian Michaels
Cinnamon Press



sian@cinnamonpress.com.
www.cinnamonpress.com

Short summary of Cinnamon Press writing awards



Cinnamon Press Poetry Collection & Novel Writing Awards for entrants who
have not previously had a collection/novel published. Entries by post
with sae. Poetry - 30th April 2005; ten poems; any style up to 40 lines,
each on a separate sheet with nom de plume and collection title &
details on a separate sheet. Novels (any genre) - first 10,000 words -
May 31st 2005. Prizes - poetry - £100, plus a contract to complete a
collection ; novel - £500 plus publication contract. Entry £12 per
poetry collection; £18 per novel to 'Cinnamon Press' Full details -
www.cinnamonpress.com or sae to: Cinnamon Press, Meirion House, Glan yr
afon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3SU or email
jan@cinnamonpress.com




Full Details of Cinnamon Press Writing Awards

Cinnamon Press currently has two open literary competitions for writers



The Novel Writing Award

We are currently inviting submissions for the first Cinnamon Press Novel
Writing Award. The aim of this award is to encourage new authors,
enabling new novelists to achieve a first publication. The winning
author will have his/her first novel published by Cinnamon Press and
receive a commissioning fee of £500.
. Entrants should not previously have had a novel published
. Entries must be made by post.
. Please enclose sae (sufficient for response only, not return of
work)
. Submit the first ten thousand of your novel in a clear type
script, double spaced.
. Please mark each sheet with a nom de plume and working title in
the header.
. Do not put any other identification on the novel, but enclose a
separate sheet with name, address, email contact, working title, nom de
plume and titles of poems.
. Deadline for submissions - 31st May 2005; top five invited to
submit further 10,000 words by 30th July 2005.
. Entry is £18 per novel.



The selected top five authors will be invited to submit a further ten
thousand words and provided with a full appraisal report on their work
(normally costs £110).
The selected winner will receive a £500 commissioning fee, plus a
contract to complete a novel of between 60,000 and 80,000 words (may be
shorter for teen/young adult novels) to be published by Cinnamon Press.



Cinnamon Press Poetry Collection Award

We are currently inviting submissions for the first Cinnamon Press
Poetry Collection Award. The winning author will have his/her poetry
collection published with Cinnamon Press and receive a commissioning fee
of £100.
. Entrants should not previously have had a collection published
(though may have had a pamphlet published)
. Entries must be made by post.
. Please enclose sae
. Deadline for submissions - 30th April 2005; results by July
2005.
. Submit ten poems; any style up to 40 lines, each on a separate
sheet.
. Please mark each sheet with a nom de plume and collection title.

. Do not put any other identification on the poem/s, but enclose a
separate sheet with name, address, email contact, collection title, nom
de plume and titles of poems.
. Entry is £12 per collection. (Coffee House Poetry subscriber's
rate - £10)



The selected top three authors will be invited to submit a further ten
poems and the selected winner will receive a £100 commissioning fee,
plus a contract to complete a collection of around 80 poems to be
published by Cinnamon Press.



For both awards:
. Please make cheques payable to 'Cinnamon Press' or you can pay
online using paypal
. Poems submitted to the competition must be previously
unpublished, but the full collection may include some poems previously
published in magazines or small press anthologies.
. Work will not be returned, so please keep a copy.
. Send poems/chapters to: Cinnamon Press Poetry Collection Award,
Meirion House, Glan yr afon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd,
LL41 3SU.



If you have any questions email ourcommissioning editor jan at jan@cinnamonpress.com.br>

The Ads: Forwardpress

Dave writes ....


forwardpress.co.uk a site to check out



Alex writes .... there is a lot there to look at .... might copy a few of their tricks

Writing class at Wolsey Theatre.......

Gordon writes last week .......



There`s something on page 31 of last week`s Advertiser that might interest
some people. It mentions some "writing master classes" on 20 and 27 Feb at
the Wolsey Theatre presumably relating to playwriting. Places are described
as "strictly limited" and anyone interested should ring the Wolsey Box
Office on 01473 295900.



Dave writes .....



So there's an opportunity tyo get some first hand advice.





Alex Writes .....



I attended the January one of these ..... really enjoyable and interesting but in my (limited) opinion it was very theatre related and most of interest for the more serious writers. It was a relatively pricey 10 pounds per session.

The social side was excellent, and Ive booked up for the rest of the season.


More info about the Wolsey Writers Workshops here and I belive the dates are Sunday the 27th of Febuary and Sunday March the 20th.



I was going to write more about this but I had an attack of the shys ...... contact me in the normal places if you want any more info.

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Report of Meeting Held 1st February 2005


Apologies for absence were received from Judy, Doreen who has a League Friends Hospital committee meeting, Sharon, Keith on a London course, Avril, whilst both Caz and Les were unwell.

*****


In Attendance : Our special guest Chris, from Felixstowe TV, along with Scott, Alex, Gordon, Ken, Belinda, Morag, Richard, Peter, Sue, Tony, Dick, Dave and a special welcome back to Christine and also to Liliane after her visit to Australia.

*****


Members and Other News:

Felixstowe TV and the mini-soap series. Chris explained how Felixstowe TV currently operates. If you haven't already viewed the site then please do so at the very interesting felixstowe TV site It has no fictional dramatic content but this is what hris would like to remedy, and that's where the Scribblers come in!


He explained his exciting plan to produce between six and ten episodes of a drama, obviously locally based, with each part running between five and ten minutes maximum. The theme is completely open and could involve more than one story line. Once the plots have been agreed then it would involve a meeting with Chris, before being passed to local amateur actors with Tony's help, for the scripts to be learned and then filmed on location in Felixstowe. He would be looking for increasing numbers of viewers as the series progress.


Obviously care would have to be taken over the content and language in the scripts and whether or any children would be included. There should be no great problem finding actors to play the parts,


It was agreed that we should have at least three parts written before going for filming. Chris intends to release each episode on a weekly basis so this is where we must ensure that we don't slip up. We would have to ensure these production targets are met.


It was agreed that the homework set from this evenings meeting would be for around 250 words or so on our personal ideas for possible scenes / scripts. These will be discussed and brain stormed to agree a theme and plan the next stages.


There is a lot of excitement in the group! Perhaps this could prove the first step to a new career for us all!


Visit felixstowe tv for yourself at http://www.felixstowetv.co.uk/.

*****



The New Year Social Evening at the Grosvenor was another exceptional success. Twenty-four of us including members and partners in our own room which was divided into three tables of eight that communication a little easier than the times when we have been on one long table. The venue itself was easy to reach with a car park immediately opposite but not quite as easy as Les and Joan who live but a couple of doors down the road. The food was good and so too was the company! Despite the snow outside, it was a great night and one we hope will be repeated during the summer months. Thanks to Caz for arranging the evening.

*****

Talking of Caz she was live on BC Radio Suffolk last Friday nominating the Grosvenor for the 'Salt and Pepper Award' on Rachel Sloane's afternoon show.

*****

This may seem to some as Caz's own report, but once again she has topped us all with two poems being read out on Radio Suffolk during January and being described as their 'Poet in Residence'!


*****

It was nice to see Allen at the meal, thanks to Judy and Ron who provided his transport. Allen is currently working on his autobiography which will span from the 1930's to date. I'll bet it will be a cracking good read if some of the homework he has shared with us, is anything to go by!


*****

Now the website demands special mention. As you will be aware, Alex has been working hard on our website and has now been slipping in some images and photographs as well. There may be some other pictures added in the near future too - the pre Xmas meeting at the Library and the party at Geoff and Belinda's.


The site also contains Judy's LIVING WITH THE THAI HILL TRIBES which shewould like feedback on. I know she has had two personal responses so far and here is also a comment on the website too. Please, if you have a few minutes spare, have a read and let Judy know what you think. It is a good read!

The ite is looking more professional and will go from strength to strength once we have omain name. A reminder the site can be viewed at

felixstowe scribblers website

Comments and suggestions direct to Alex, please on any aspect of the site.


alexpricea@hotmail.com


*****

It is noticeable how Richard has been coming up with some terrific work lately, could it possibly be anything to do with the course he is on - the Open University 'Start Writing - Fiction'?


*****

Rexie, Gordon's wife, has been raising money for the Children of Pulilan Foundation in the Philippines. They recently staged a karaoke in which Gordon was sponsored to 'sing' a dozen songs. Gordon thanked everyone who sponsored him.


*****


Alex celebrated his 35th birthday last Friday at 'The Alex' on
Felixstowe Sea Front. As the Scribblers were unable to attend, Belinda kindly baked a special birthday cake for a belated celebration - candles included!

*****

Don't forget that if you want to sample a modern adult type novel or a book of poetry by Dee Rimbaud then contact Dave. These are available in pdf files and would be forwarded in that format.

*****

Similarly, to the Mills and Boon readers amongst the group - there surely must be some! - they are on the lookout for new writers and have sent a comprehensive 22 page set of guide lines. Again anyone interested contact Dave.


*****

A reminder that a 50 pence fee per meeting operates from now. This entitles everyone to a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit.


Will everyone please bring their own mugs with them for future
meetings…

*****


The homework assignment….


With Les calling off sick, Tony read one of the four parts of his well-scripted play "Floating in the Wind". Dick, Sue and Belinda read the other parts.

This was an enjoyable play, with clear, crisp dialogue, and, unless the listener caught on at the very outset of the play, all was later revealed at the end that the characters were all dead - spirits in the
afterlife.


Easy to listen to and visualise the characters as one would in a radio play, it would obviously have provided a great deal more had we watched it performed on stage. It told the story of the four from childhood and on through their lives until their untimely deaths in a coach accident on the way to a West Ham away match at Liverpool.

There was some discussion and comment at the end - well after the applause had died down! Tony would appreciate as much feedback as possible, so if you would like to comment please let him know at the next meeting.


*****

For the rest of us the subject was "Felixstowe" and Christine opened with "Hamilton Road Prominadus" based on her views looking out of Wimpeys window.


Liliane, just back from Australia, still had the old homework theme about the police and provided a humorous tale called "Cat Rape"!

Peter provided "The Magnetic Ghost" whilst Sue read out Margareta's "Felixstowe Magic Necklace".


Richard read Caz's "Felixstowe" and Ken delivered "The Applicant". Alex provided "Spirit of Felixstowe" and Belinda wrote about a character "Felix Stowe."


Dick wrote of "Self Sufficient Walton" whilst Tony
recited a short poem "I Must Go to the Sea Again".


Scott wrote about the "Felixstowe Sunday Market" whilst Gordon managed to peck his way through the laughter with "Felixstowe". Dave rounded it off with "Diary of a Traffic Enumerator."


Apologies to Doreen whose lovely contribution was not read out but I hope she won't mind it being pasted in below.


*****


The next Scribblers meeting will be on February 15th at
7.30pm

The homework is to write your idea for the Felixstowe TV soap either as dialogue, story or thoughts.


*****

A committee meeting will be held at Caz's on the 8th at 7.30 pm.

Keep Scribbling,

Dave

New Year and Christmas Party 25th Jan 2005


New Year and Christmas Party 25th Jan 2005 ...... Frustratingly we were having too good a time to think to get a group photo ....... but here is as many as ended up in one pic ...... Posted by Hello

Felixstowe Scribblers at the Christmas Party December 2004 Posted by Hello

Felixstowe Scribblers Weblog Feed