Shreveport Writers Club

This meeting began with a discussion led by author and playwright Ben Z. Grant. Ben discussed his long career and answered questions regarding his work and the differences between prose and play authorship. He also told us of his many collaborations and discussed his upcoming work, a play about Leander Perez.

The Member’s Only Mini-Contest was won by Bill Conly with his poem, “The Long and the Short”.

This month’s contest topic was presented by Barbara Moore:

Describe your least favorite room in your childhood home using poetry or prose. Length may be up to 500 words.

As always, the meeting was rounded out with a great Round-Robin session.

The meeting started with flash writing topics provided by Christy Cowden:

- Time for Spring Cleaning
- My Happy Place
-Life is Good

After Flash Writing, we discussed the idea of using some club funds to do a project to promote writing. Various ideas were discussed, but all decisions pertaining to the project were tabled until more discussion could happen. If you have any ideas or suggestions as to what the club can do as a project to promote writing, please bring them to the next meeting.

We also discussed the Arkansas Writers Conference. Details will be provided in a separate post.

Marian Poe won the Members Only Mini-Contest with her poem, “Never Forget”.

Darrell Williams provided us with the topic for this month:

Write a short story of 1000 words or less on the topic of: “Wild Wyatt and the Renegade Twins”

As always, the meeting featured the presentation of Making the Mark awards, and another rousing Round Robin reading.

Next month’s meeting will feature a presentation by playwright/songwright/novelist Ben Grant who will talk about his publishing endeavors.

We had three guests this month: Matt Allen, Curtis Woody, and Megan Williams.

Flash writing topics were submitted by Marian Poe:

-My most comfortable place to write
-Potential
-Why I agree to disagree on the topic of _____
-When Cupid’s arrow first hit
-My best (or worst) hair day

Members-Only Mini-Contest was won by Susan Foster for her entry titled, “Friendship’s Comfort”

This month’s contest was presented by Bonnie McEwan:

Write a poem between 50 and 200 lines about a person

As always, we had a spirited Round Robin reading to round out the meeting.

Officer nominations are coming up! Information to be presented in upcoming months.

Our meeting began with flash writing. Participants were given the following topics:

- How do you know you are right?
- I felt a shiver down my bones
- Dude! You are a genius!
- My New Year’s Resolution
- Leftovers’

Due to Bill Conly‘s absence (more on that later in the post), the Members Only Mini-Contest announcement was held over for one more month.

Dave Hicks gave the topic to be turned in at the February meeting – “Write a poem of 100 words or less in any style on any subject”

As always, the meeting finished with a Round-Robin reading full of fascinating and thought-provoking stories and poems.

The club would like to send out a heartfelt “Get Well Soon!” wish to Shirley Brown and Bill Conly – both of whom could not attend this month’s meeting due to illness. We hope to see them back on their feet and writing away at our next meeting!

We had a wonderful holiday party on December 3rd!

Food, fellowship, awesome music by Bill Conly, and a very special round robin reading of holiday stories.

A wonderful time was had by all!

Our annual, open to the public, holiday party is December 3rd at our regular meeting place, the annex of the Bossier Arts Council – 600 Barksdale Blvd in Bossier City, from 10:30 – 12:30.

Guests are asked to bring finger foods or snacks. It is also customary, but not required, that guests bring either a holiday story they’ve written or one of their favorite short stories to read to the group.

Music will be provided by Bill Conly.

We welcomed three guests this month: Nina Avant, Leann Fontenot, and Susie Storey.

Flash writing topics were:

- Thanksgiving
- Look what blew into town
- My favorite story
- When I grow up
- Open topic

Barbara Moore announced Bonnie McEwan as the winner of this month’s Members Only Mini-Contest with her story, “School Prank of the Party”.

Bill Conly announced the December topic as:

Write a 1000 word or less short story on the topic, “Courage/Bravery”

Correction from last month – Phillip Volentine didn’t sell a song, but his song is under consideration by professionals. SWC apologizes for any misrepresentation of his achievements.

Speaking of Philip, congratulations on his song “Cajun Flu” being played on the Matt McKinney Roadhouse radio show on November 8th!

And as always, we ended the meeting with a rousing Round Robin reading!