2017/2018 Annual Awards

Slough Writers Annual Awards 2017 - 2018 (2018-07-20 20:28:49)

Writer of the Year – Robert Kibble

Taylor Award for Services to the Group – Edward Harte

New Writer Award – Jenny Downing

Sandy Lee-Guard Award for Endeavour – Harvey Martin

2018 Poetry Competition Results

Poetry Competition Results 2018 (2018-07-20 20:13:56)

Picture shows poetry competition winners Lee Taylor (seated centre with trophy); second Robert Kibble (seated right); third place Mike Pearcy (seated left). Standing are Lorraine Forrest-Turner and Harvey Martin who were highly commended.

On the theme of plastic, the poetry competition inspired a diverse range of subjects and styles. The winning poem, Memory by Lee Taylor, looked at a soldier suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

William Campbell announced the winners of this year’s poetry competition, which was set and judged by members of the Suffolk based Halesworth Library Writing Group. Sally East and Wally Smith, both ex-Slough Writers, now live in Suffolk and attend the Halesworth Library Writing Group. William passed on detailed comments from the judges to all entrants.

• First and the SW Poetry Competition Trophy: Memory by Lee Taylor

• Second place: Inelastic Scattering by Robert Kibble

• 3rd place: Plastics by Michael Pearcy

Theatre Director Julian Fox

Theatre Director Julian Fox Speaks at SW Meeting (2018-06-08 20:22:32)

Our feature visiting speaker for the Summer Session was Julian Fox, one of the driving forces behind Stage One Youth, a multi award winning amateur theatre group based in Maidenhead and aimed at 14-21 year olds. Julian talked about the challenges and delights of working with this age group, his own writing and his experiences as a theatre director.

The picture shows Harry Simmonds as the Phantom with Eve Shanu-Wilson playing Christine. This photo courtesy of My World My Eyes.

Stage One Youth aim at one professionally resourced production each year and they include among their achievements Miss Saigon, Grease and last year Phantom of the Opera. Phantom starred SW member Elaine Simmond's son Harry playing the lead. The show was awarded the District 14 NODA Best Musical Award. Julian was keen to point out that this award was for overall best musical not simply best youth musical. Several of Stage One Youth's past members are now working professionally in the theatre and one is currently in a West End Show.

Julian gave an inspiring and entertaining talk which included a lot of information about the opportunities for writers in youth theatre including a list of subjects that people in this age group are concerned about, which is an intriguing challenge for any writer.

2018 Short Story Competition Results

Result of 2018 Story Competition (2018-04-20 17:31:36)

Picture shows Terry Adlam on the left next to Michael Pearcy who was joint winner with Robert Kibble. Extream right is David England whose story Pearls of Wisdom was highly commended.

• Joint 1st and the SW Story Competition Trophy: The Problem With The Fridge by Robert Kibble

• Joint 1st and the SW Story Trophy: Number Forty-Seven by Michael Pearcy

• 3rd: Acting Up by Terry Adlam

Mike and Rob share the honours in our Story Competition result.

The task was to write a humorous short story. Our judge was Julian Hirst actor, stage director and comedy guru at South Hill Park. Unfortunately, Julian was unable to attend due to a heavy rehearsal schedule for his current production. However, he he provided very detailed and focussed comments on all the entries which were read out by member Lorraine Forrest-Turner who also announced the result and presented the trophy. Julian was unable to attend due to a heavy rehearsal schedule for his current production.

Slough Writers Gold Anthology

Slough Writers Gold Anthology (2018-04-19 10:20:59)

Below the members of Slough Writers with their Gold Anthology, a collection of contributions from 29 of our writers published to celebrate our 50 years as a writing group - the most productive and active group in the country - possibly!

Slough Writers next meeting on 23rd April is a manuscript night. Read some of your work and benefit from supportive, positive comments.

2017 Article Competition Results

RESULTS ARTICLE COMPETITION 2017 (2017-12-31 09:02:16)

Mike wins article competition for fourth consecutive year

Report by Lorraine Forrest-Turner

Mike Pearcy has beaten the odds and taken first place again in this year's article competition.

From left: Robert Kibble, Mike Pearcy, William Campbell and Edward Harte.

The theme of the competition was the world we are living in today, and his article Hunger In The Shadows (about food banks in the UK) was a clear winner with the highest number of first place rankings.

Two articles were awarded second place The Chains Of Convenience by Robert Kibble and You Have Never Had It So Good by Edward Harte.

Robert's article asked whether we are in danger of being ruled by the convenient world we have created, while Edward looked at rising student debt and the legacy his generation has left for the next.

Mike was both delighted and embarrassed to have won the competition four times in a row. Last year, he even ran an evening on how to write a winning article for the group.

But, while the standard of entries was exceptionally high this year, no-one matched Mike's ability to research an important modern-day subject and write a well-rounded, fact-filled article.

The competition was judged by all nine entrants, each one writing a short review of the other entries before ranking them from first to eighth place.

While Mike's article remained in top place throughout the ranking, every entrant received a first, second or third place by at least one other entrant.

Adjudicator William Campbell was keen to point out that "the value of entrant-judged competitions is not necessarily in the ranking but in the writing of the article, the reviewing of others' work and the assimilation of feedback on one 's own work."

The theme of the competition attracted a wide range of subjects, including technology, psychology, religion and education.

News of the next Slough Writers Group competition will be announced in January 2018.

2017 Summer Competition Results

Results of the 2017 Summer Competition. (2017-11-09 15:07:21)

Back row Terry Adlam, Sonya Weiss and Paul Stimpson. Front row: Louise Punter (who read A Right To A View), Christopher Lyne (Beautiful Morning), the judge Debbie Christie and Jess Hadleigh (who read Frankie).

The challenge this time was to write a 10 minute dramatic monologue. The Judge was actress Debbie Christie. Debbie organised three actors to read her selection of the top three monologues. There were 13 entries from members. Debbie said that all the monologues were or a very high standard and it was incredibly hard to pick winners. She changed her mind many times. Debbie announced the result:

• 1st and the SW Summer Competition Trophy: Frankie by Sonya Weiss

• 2nd: Beautiful Morning by Terry Adlam

• 3rd: The Right To A View by Paul Stimpson

Highly Commended...

Circular Lies by Juli Lindskog

Remembering Garry by Mike Pearcy

Time Out by Wally Smith

Thank you for Coming by Dave Smith

The picture below includes the four highly commended writers.

Joining the back row are Mike Pearcy and Juli Lindskog; inset left is Dave Smith and right is Wally Smith.

These pics show: Jess Hadleigh reading Frankie the winning monologue; Debbie Christie answering questions from the writers and the acting team with Debbie on the left.

Everyone agreed the actors brought the monologues to life with their inspired interpretations. The readings made a gratifying end to the evening.

DRAMA SHOWCASE IV

DRAMA SHOWCASE IV - Created by Slough Writers (2017-10-10 14:37:03)

The fourth of our annual drama showcases will be at Burnham Library starting at 7pm for 7.30pm on 27th and 28th October.

To obtain tickets for the Drama Showcase go to Friends of Burnham Library On their home page you will find a payment link for both evenings.

Annual Awards 2016/2017

Slough Writers Annual Awards for 2016/17 (2017-09-02 11:35:00)

Annual Awards: from the left: Robert Kibble (Endeavour Award), Edward Harte (Services to the Group), Lorraine Forrest-Turner (Writer of the Year) Claire Dyer (Visiting author who made the presentations), Harvey Martin (Newcomer of the Year)

2017 Poetry Competition Results

Results of the 2017 Poetry Competition. (2017-09-02 11:01:30)

The full result was announced on 17th July 2017

• 1st and the SW Poetry Competition Trophy: Golden Phase by Sally East

• 2nd: The Lucky One by Elaine Simmonds

• 3rd: One Of The Fifty Percent by Michael Pearcy

Picture left show Sally East who now lives in Suffolk displaying the poetry trophy on the seafront near Southwold lighthouse accompanied by fellow member Wally Smith. Picture right shows Elaine Simmonds (second) with judge poet Claire Dyer and Michael Pearcy (third).

On the left Claire Dyer delivers her comments on the poems. On the right, Claire Dyer listens to Elaine Simmonds reading her poem which won second place.

Stonewylde author Kit Berry visits Slough Writers

Stonewylde author Kit Berry visits Slough Writers (2017-07-18 23:09:28)

Tonight we met the author of the Stonewylde Series of young adult novels.

The folk of Stonewylde farm their land organically, living simply and in harmony with nature as their ancestors did before them. Everything seems perfect - the wind farm and solar panels, the rural celebrations in the barn, the ancient stone circle and megaliths clustered all over the landscape. But of course nothing is ever perfect.

Stonewylde has captured the imaginations of a huge following of all ages. The conflicts between the characters and the tension builds throughout the five books.

Stonewylde is a green and idyllic place where darkness hides malignantly in the corners, waiting to be unleashed.

The Financial Times said she soon spots the serpents in this paradise.

The Guardian said her ideas and imagination are absolutely brilliant.

With her husband Mr B (I have to ask, is the B for Mr Big?) she has eight adult children. And then she adds "none of whom actually live with us!" Maybe that explains how she finds the time to write five successful novels.

She is inspired by Dorset

She has a little room of her own for writing.

She reads a extensively and invests a lot of time in promoting what she does

Kit gave an interesting talk about her difficult journey to publication, and the importance of self-promotion through social media, talks, merchandise, etc.

Slough Writers Submit Plays to Stoke Poges Players

Slough Writers Submit Plays to Stoke Poges Players (2017-05-02 10:19:09)

Two members of Slough Writers will have plays performed by local amateur dramatics group Stoke Poges Players at The Village Centre in Stoke Poges for three nights beginning 11th May.

Julie Cawood who is producing the show for The Players said, "We want to put on a show that is modern and different from the usual plays available to amateur groups. And do something community based so working with a group like Slough Writers ticked all the boxes."

Eight of the Slough Writers responded by submitting plays and The Players chose Zoo, a farce by Terry Adlam and Whistleblower, a drama by Michael Pearcy.

Zoo is set in a Zoo and the manager, Richard Blount, wants everything to be perfect for a very special visitor. That's what he wants but it's not what he gets.

In Whistleblower a family's future security is threatened when they are drawn into a political scandal and they struggle to answer the question - what personal sacrifices are they prepared to make to protect the truth? Millions of lives are in danger if they don't speak up.

This mixture gave Julie Cawood exactly what she was looking for:"Both plays run for about 45 minutes so it makes a perfect evening of comedy and high drama for the audience. For The Players it is brilliant to be working on comedy and drama for the same show; the two disciplines present very different challenges for our actors and directors."

The show will run for three nights from Wednesday 11th May and tickets can be obtained from the box office at 01753 677032 or online at www.stokepogesplayers.org.

"We are really excited with this new format for our show and we will certainly be doing it again," said Julie Cawood.

Claire Dyer on Poetry

Claire Dyer on Poetry (2017-05-02 10:01:06)

Author, Teacher and judge of our 2017 Poetry Competition speaks about what she looks for in a good poem.

2017 Short Story Competition Results

RESULTS - 2017 SHORT STORY COMPETITION (2017-04-21 10:32:30)

There were 18 entries for our Young Adult themed short Story competition The judge was Andy Robb, the author of the Geekhood books, the first of which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award 2012. He has had many jobs over the years, most notable as an actor working on stage and screen but now spends his time writing on his house boat on the Thames; occasionally stopping to feed the ducks.

• 1st and the SW Short Story Competition Trophy: Beetroot Tears by Lorraine Forrest-Turner

• 2nd: Belle and Eddie's Gap Year by Sally East

• 3rd: Take Off From Panshanger by William Campbell

Commended: The Random Numbers Game by Robert Kibble, Trying To Help by Michael Pearcy and Second Hand Kid by Jules Davidson.

Photos: Lorraine receives her certificate and reads her story. We hope to gather all the winners for a group photo soon.

Of Lorraine's winning story he said, "This stood out from the beginning; great story, simple and not too clever for clevers sake. What stood out was the use of conversation. You were there, in this family from the very start. And the beetroot tear image was brilliant."

Andy admitted to being unsure what we expected as feedback and that he concentrated on being constructive. He hoped what he said about each story was useful but he said "If you believe in what you are doing just say sod it and stick to what you do."

In writing for young adults Andy said "The voice in your work should be strong, grab them from the start." He explained that adults are ready to spend more time getting into a story: "You can be more timely where adults are concerned."

"The theme and characters must be clear upfront - like the hook in a song, the young adult reader wants it there, bang," said Andy.

Andy spoke about the need for immediacy in your work for the YA reader, "You should aim to have a feeling of being in the now. I like to use the first person and writing in the present tense will also help."

Andy gave comments on all the entries. In many of his comments he referred to a lack of immediacy. In general he was impressed with the standard and as a reflection of this he needed to award three commendation certificates.

2016 Article Competition Results

Results - The 2016 Article Competition (2016-12-07 20:45:35)

• 1st and the SW Article Competition Trophy: Caring For A New Breed of Pets by Michael Pearcy

• 2nd: What Have Cats Got To Do With Brexit? by Paul Stimpson

• 3rd: What pet should I get: dog, cat, or dinosaur? by Julian Davidson

Commended: Working like a dog by Carol Breuer and Becoming a cat stepfather by Robert Kibble

Robert Kibble, Paul Stimpson, Michael Pearcy, Dr Kate Dent, Carol Breuer and Julian Davidson.

The task was to write an article on the theme Pet Project. Dr Kate Dent, head of operations at the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trusts agreed to be the judge. Kate said that her criteria for choosing the winners of the 2016 article competition was not based on her experience as a writer but more as a reader of mainly scientific papers and articles. She confessed to not really knowing what an article was and was pleased to find that her online research (after she had judged the entries) backed up her intuition.

Kate judged the entries on her experience as a former veterinary nurse and her studies of zoology and evolutionary biology combined with how engaging and enjoyable she found each article. She gave incisive feedback on all 10 entries.

She said of Mike's winning entry that it had all the elements of an excellent article with an interesting subject told in an informative and entertaining style. She found the interview format worked well and she learnt something new about bee keeping.

Kate liked the amusing analogies in Paul's cats and Brexit article and said it was explain cleverly and an unusual approach. Of Jules' dinosaur piece, she said it was well-researched and easy read with gentle humour.

On the two commended articles, she said Carol's was amusing and informative, and Robert's was an interesting comparison between a relationship with a child and a relationship with an animal.

Her observations on the others included taking a quirky approach, being more of a story than an article, missing an opportunity to call for volunteers, and being a little disjointed without a satisfactory ending.

As well as giving feedback on all the entries and awarding the prizes, Kate also gave a short and very interesting talk about her work with the three Wildlife Trusts. There was a lively and interesting Q & A. The group thanked Kate for her time and for providing a very interesting evening.

Report by Lorraine Forrest Turner. See her website.

2016 Summer Competition Results

Robert Kibble (second), Lorraine Forrest-Turner (first) and Carol Breuer (third).

Results Summer Competition 2016 (2016-11-13 20:13:28)

• 1st and the SW Summer Competition Trophy: 13:22 by Lorraine Forrest-Turner

• 2nd: Half-life connections by Robert Kibble

• 3rd: No Night We Love So Well by Carol Breuer

The task was to write a triptych of stories that would each stand as independent pieces of fiction whilst sharing a common theme. The word limit was a total of 3000 words apportioned in any way between the three stories.

Third Drama Showcase At Burnham Library

Third Drama Showcase At Burnham Library (2016-11-09 12:16:26)

On 21st October 2016 we held our third drama showcase at Burnham Library. The aim was to raise funds for The Friends of Burnham Library to support their work to ensure Burnham keeps a thriving library at a time when government spending cuts threaten many community facilities. This year we raised just over £1000.

Terry Adlam introduces the show.

There were six plays, some new and some established pieces, and it was received as the best showcase of the three. This time all the work was performed as opposed to previous shows were there was a mixture of performance and script in hand. The show was a sell out with many late applications for tickets being disappointed. This event is now an annual feature for Slough Writers and the Library.

The Authors: Mike Pearcy, Paul Stimpson, Wally Smith, Terry Adlam, Carol Breuer and Lorraine Forrest-Turner.

Sorry You're Leaving by Wally Smith

The Legend of Jonny Spry by Lorraine Forrest Turner

Swallows and Anarchists by Paul Stimpson

The Run by Terry Adlam

A Foreign Country by Carol Breuer

Eleven Fifty-Six by Michael Pearcy

Author Clare Whyle Talks To Slough Writers

Author Clare Whyle Talks To Slough Writers (2016-09-28 11:58:10)

Monday 26 September saw us enjoy the visit and talk by Clare Whyle who is part of the duo who write under the name Nina Whyle. Their Latest creation is My Disorganised Life (The 'Dis' part of Disorganised should be crossed through but not on this website - see picture.) It was an excellent evening with Clare dealing with our questions with loads of humour and honesty (and patience! - some of us have the knack of making questions far longer than any answer could possibly be!). And she was almost the last to leave the bar after. Good girl!

Clare Whyle writes because she loves the process, working in tandem with her long-standing friend Nina Bowden. "Nina is a kindred spirit", said Clare,"I don't really understand how but the writing just happens naturally between us. Where Nina is far better at plotting, dialogue, driving things on and cutting my flights of fancy, I'm sarcastically comedic, love developing the eccentric character and writing the descriptive."

In the partnership nobody has a final say in how the book will go. "It's really basic, we pass the manuscript back and forth between us. I write in pink and Nina in blue. And we absolutely slaughter each other's darlings. But if there's a bit you really like you try to sneak it back in later."

Clare said that both writers have to supress their ego and learn diplomacy. What comes through when Clare speaks of Nina is respect and it obviously goes both ways. They trust each other to make decisions that benefit the work and never the individual.

So far they have sold 27,000 books but they are not rich authors although they are on their fifth novel. Clare does not mind having the books categorised as Chic-Lit. "Women's fiction is the biggest market and it gives you freedom to go where you want and do anything with the characters as long as there's a happy ending. We have fun. Sex scenes are an absolute hoot."

The writing duo live in Berkshire and Devon, but talk on the phone at least once a week. "We have long rambling girlie chats and we know each other's lives intimately. This helps because we can avoid putting on pressure about the writing when one of us has other challenges in life. Sometimes we even talk about the book!"

At one time the couple reached number ten in the UK charts and had their hopes set on perhaps reaching the number one spot. "What actually happened," said Clare, "was Fifty Shades of Grey and we were knocked off the top ten."

Clare describes herself as a black romantic. Her preference would be for a black comedy with a sci-fi setting and a strong Thomas Hardy mood. When the two are not being Nina Whyle they focus on screenwriting and Clare admits to a passion for film.

"Pushing a screenplay is much tougher than publishing a novel on Amazon," said Clare. "The film business works on the old boy network where it is your contacts in the industry that count in getting a project developed."

Nina has a successful background as a film editor but even with her contacts in the business nothing is guaranteed.

Mike Pearcy

2015/2016 Awards and Poetry Competition Results

Poetry 2016 Result and Annual Awards 2015/16 (2016-07-17 11:44:03)

Here are some of the pictures from the awards and poetry results evening for this year.

Left: Poet and judge for the evening Lesley Saunders presents the poetry cup to to Robert while Lee and Harvey look on. Right: the recipients of this year's awards flash the trophies: Wally, Mike, Jules and Robert.

Robert Kibble reads his winning poem to Lesley and the group.

2016 Espionage Short Story Competition Results

Results of the Espionage Short Story Competition (2016-03-23 22:50:28)

In the absence of the judge, Sue Lemon from Burnham Library, Andrew Strathdee stepped in as a representative of the library. The result was:

• 1st and the SW Short Story Competition Trophy: Into the Silence by Jules Davidson

• 2nd: Britain: First Principals by Robert Kibble

• 3rd: A Kiss to Die For by Lin Hurdwell

Jules led with a clever story set in a library that teased the audience right to the very end. Robert followed with a brave and moving story that confronted racism. Lin managed to find comedy in espionage and brought the meeting to a halt several times while we overcame the giggles before she could carry on.

There were two highly commended entries: The Triumph of Mercy by Harvey Martin and Still Waters Run Deep by Keith Scudamore.

The prizes were presented by Andrew Strathdee representing Burnham Library. The judge was Sue Lemon (centre) a librarian from Burnham. Sue had a particular liking for a satisfactory ending to a story.