So we have been doing some renovation works. First we have changed our name and we are now
We are hoping this new name will represent us better.
Then we decided to do some major improvements to the blog. To do so, we finally decided to move. Now you will find us HERE. With this move, we hope to be able to have a more dynamic place online and an easier way to connect with our visitors. We're still redecorating, but at some point we'll have everything set up there and we'll place a redirection here so that it's easier for you to find us. Please note that our contact email address has changed too. We'd love your feedback on our new site, so please come have a look!
wordcentral is a friendly, informal group who meet to read and discuss our work and share information, contacts and news. Writers of all genres are welcome – fiction, plays, poetry, non-fiction – come along and find out what we're like. We meet on the First and Third Thursday of the month from 6pm to 8pm at the St Sidwell's Centre, Exeter.
Prompts
Hello again, fellow writers! The days are longer, the weather is fairer, and yesterday we had our first meeting after the group's Annual General Meeting. One of the things that was decided in this AGM was to provide collectively a series of prompts or exercises for us to work on. We have got our suggested exercises box full now, and will be taking one out of it at every first meeting of each month so that those who so wish can give the exercise a go.
We are going to share the prompts here in this blog so that you can try them too. And if you want to share the results, you're welcome to do so!
Here it goes then:
"I listened to the distant thunder, the clatter of approaching hooves, a bodiless whinnying."
Happy writing!
We are going to share the prompts here in this blog so that you can try them too. And if you want to share the results, you're welcome to do so!
Here it goes then:
Prompt #1
"I listened to the distant thunder, the clatter of approaching hooves, a bodiless whinnying."
Happy writing!
Show, don't tell
This is one of the writers' tenets, but it can be difficult not to succumb to the temptation of simply saying what we want the reader to see. In the article Ten Tips to Help You Avoid Telling Writing, you'll find some interesting, useful suggestions to put it in practice.
Happy writing!
Happy writing!
Let's talk style
When we're talking literature, you know that form is important. First, you make sure you are using the grammar and punctuation properly so that it isn't just you (provided you do) understand what you have written, so that readers can enjoy the power of your words.
Another aspect is the choice of words: repetitions, ambiguities, cacophony... are some of the effects you want to avoid in order to make the reading more pleasant. Look out for those. Whereas you may feel proud of having produced a 500-page manuscript, if most of it is straw it isn't that great. Less is more. So get armed with some knowledge about what you can do with words. To begin with, here is an interesting list of superfluous bits that we tend to add to our writs. They're like sugar, the more you use the more you want to use, but then comes your guest, tries your dish, and the shock sends them into an insulin coma. Measure your ingredients.
Another aspect is the choice of words: repetitions, ambiguities, cacophony... are some of the effects you want to avoid in order to make the reading more pleasant. Look out for those. Whereas you may feel proud of having produced a 500-page manuscript, if most of it is straw it isn't that great. Less is more. So get armed with some knowledge about what you can do with words. To begin with, here is an interesting list of superfluous bits that we tend to add to our writs. They're like sugar, the more you use the more you want to use, but then comes your guest, tries your dish, and the shock sends them into an insulin coma. Measure your ingredients.
It's that time of the year again...
We're having our 2016 AGM in a couple of weeks, and we're excited about it, because we want it to be meaningful and productive. We're going to review what we've been up to, we're going to plan what we're going to do next, we have some interesting stuff lined up... We want the group to be more active and take initiatives, starting with the small bits -hoping to upload an updated group photo soon!- going on with the meaty parts, creating activities for development that will help our meetings be useful tools to keep our creative juices flowing; and then bigger stuff: events. We're preparing something special, so stay tuned to know more about it.
In the meanwhile, remember you're invited to join us in the fun at St Sidwell's every first and third Thursday of each month at 6pm. Refreshments provided!
Hoping to see you around soon.
In the meanwhile, remember you're invited to join us in the fun at St Sidwell's every first and third Thursday of each month at 6pm. Refreshments provided!
Hoping to see you around soon.
The Bard of Exeter
There is a tradition in Exeter in which a Bard is elected for a year and a day. The official title of this post is Bardic Chair of Caer Wyse, and those who aspire to fill it participate in a competition in which they perform poems, songs, or stories, and they also explain what they intend to do for Exeter as Bard, then the audience votes for their favourite. For instance, Simon Williams created in 2013 the Broadsheet, a newsletter brimming with work of poets from Devon and Cornwall.
This year the election takes place again at the Bike Shed Theatre, on Sunday, 12th March 2017 at 7.30 pm. That's this coming Sunday, so if you don't want to miss it go buy or book a ticket before they run out!
For details about this interesting part of Exeter history, read more at bardofexeter.weebly.com.
Work of our authors being performed!
Please pencil this in your diaries for an evening of fun and entertainment:
What: Short plays by Robert Joyce & Steven Petherick (& two other pieces)
Who: performed by actors from Cygnet Training Theatre
Where: at the Bikeshed, Fore Street Exeter
When: Monday 16th January, 7.30pm
How much: admission free (retiring collection)
The Phoenix Open Mic Events
Ruth Butler is passing us a reminder about the Open Mic event that takes place in the Phoenix bar on the third Wednesday of every month. This means the next session will be on January 18th, and Ruth herself is booked to do something. The sessions include poetry ( 5 minute slots, usually light and entertaining), music and stand-up comedy. It starts at 8pm and it is free!
Happy New Year from St Sidwell's
Here's hoping that you all had a great holiday time! We've just back and will have our second meeting of the year on the 19th, third Thursday of January, in our usual room in St Sidwell's Community Centre.
By the way, this year the Centre presented us with a beautiful Christmas card. Have a look:
Gorgeous, like last Christmas. But for this one there is a story that I would like to share with you. I was told that, during the Blitz, when so much of Exeter was destroyed, some of the stained glass work was damaged and fell down. For many years this artwork was thought to be lost, but actually somebody went and picked up the pieces, placing them somewhere safe. Only very recently, the pieces were rediscovered and now they are being restored. And so, we are so lucky to be able to admire again this stunningly beautiful depiction of St Sidwell, of which the card above is a detail.
To learn more about this amazing story, go visit the article about it in the Community Centre's website.
By the way, this year the Centre presented us with a beautiful Christmas card. Have a look:
Gorgeous, like last Christmas. But for this one there is a story that I would like to share with you. I was told that, during the Blitz, when so much of Exeter was destroyed, some of the stained glass work was damaged and fell down. For many years this artwork was thought to be lost, but actually somebody went and picked up the pieces, placing them somewhere safe. Only very recently, the pieces were rediscovered and now they are being restored. And so, we are so lucky to be able to admire again this stunningly beautiful depiction of St Sidwell, of which the card above is a detail.
To learn more about this amazing story, go visit the article about it in the Community Centre's website.
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