Guest Speaker: Nicola May

Author Nicola May visits (2019-10-13 16:29:56)

The meeting was addressed by a guest speaker, Nicola May, a friend of Lin’s, who is a self-published author based locally in Ascot.

Nicola gave a very entertaining, informative and candid talk about her journey to become an author. Having had considerable commercial success in recent years her latest novel has over 180,000 sales, making her the most successful self-published author in the UK (via Amazon) Nicola has been able to give up her job in PR to become a full time writer.

Nicola gave a very practical description of what she had needed to do to become successful, particularly the effort and marketing/negotiating strategies she has had to employ to earn a good income from her writing.

Summer BBQ 2019

SLOUGH WRITERS SUMMER BBQ (2019-09-18 09:54:51)

All the gang at this year's BBQ. Thanks to Merle and Danny for hosting us.

2019 Slough Writers Awards and AGM

Slough Writers AGM and Annual Awards (2019-09-02 14:01:12)

ANNUAL AWARDS

2019 awards and winners

Chair Terry Adlam presented the annual awards as selected by the members and the committee.

Writer of the Year, as selected by her fellow writers, is Linda Hurdwell.

Terry Adlam was selected by members to receive the Taylor Award for services to the group.

The Sandy Lee-Guard Award for Endeavour was presented to Sally Clarke, decided by the committee.

Mary Fraser won the new writer award.

Annual General Meeting

During the group's AGM, in his summary of 2018-2019, Slough Writers chair Terry Adlam said it had been a challenging year but nonetheless successful. He praised the group for continued writing successes in print, on stage and online, and its collaborations with local groups such as Friends of Burnham Library, Slough Arts, Resource Productions and Wycombe Sound.

After several votes of thanks, Terry presented the group's annual awards, which included him receiving the Taylor Award for Services to the Group.

2019 Poetry Competition Results

Poetry Competition Results 2019 (2019-09-02 14:40:53)

The assembled writers with judge Pete Cox, Harvey Martin (third place), winner Linda Hurdwell and judge Declan Grant.

Linda Hurdwell who won both the poetry competition and the writer of the year award.

(Second place winner Lee Taylor was not present at the awards.)

• First and the SW Poetry Competition Trophy: Empty Shoes by Linda Hurdwell

• Second place: The Only Thing Necessary by Lee Taylor

• 3rd place: When The Birds Stopped Singing by Harvey Martin

Two of our judges, Declan Grant and Pete Cox.

Harvey Martin reads his poem.

Slough writer Linda Hurdwell enjoyed a successful evening at the Slough Writers Group AGM on Monday 22 July when she won both the Writer of the Year award and the Performance Poetry competition with her poem Empty Shoes.

The competition was judged by Slough Innerverse performance poets Pete Cox, Declan Grant and Donna Gerrish.

Speaking at the prize giving, Pete and Declan said that judging the competition had given them "real pleasure" and had taken them on a "roller coaster of emotions". They said that Linda's winning poem was "a powerful piece of writing filled with exceptional similes and metaphors".

Guest Speaker: Vera Morris

VERA MORRIS Crime Novelist Talks To SW (2019-07-09 17:21:05)

Although Vera Morris has always been an avid reader she gave no thought to actually writing a book until she retired. She said 'since childhood I've always had to have at least one book on the go and sometimes more. Not having a book to read makes me feel lost and incomplete'.

Agatha Christie is an author who has always impressed Vera so when, in an idle moment, she set about writing her first book the crime genre was an instinctive choice.

After completing several gory crime novels she joined a creative writing class having realised her books lacked something. She said she discovered there was a huge gap between enjoying reading and having the craft skills to write successfully. Vera joined the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) and learnt that her work was too gory and violent for the RNA.

But she was able to meet a woman from publishers Accent Press at the RNA who encouraged her to submit the first of her Anglian Detective Agency novels entitled Some Particular Evil (the title is a quote from Pride and Prejudice). The latest in the series is The Loophole. She is now writing her fourth book in the series with a contract to write more.

Vera does not indulge in detailed plotting saying, 'If I sit before the screen something will always happen.' She begins with a firm idea of the characters, the crime and who the perp is.

She said, 'having believable motives for a crime is very important to me - it is not enough simply to have a random psychopath on the loose.'

She has a male/female duo as the lead characters both of which have strongly developed identities. She avoids the trend of having deeply flawed heroes, preferring to have well rounded but interesting people in her books and a strong element of humour stirred in with the blood and guts.

Vera keeps notes on each chapter as the book develops and writes notes for the future development of the story, but she added, 'I keep notes but I make sure these notes do not become a straight jacket that limit my creative freedom.'

She is relaxed about her writing schedule aiming to produce about 7000 words per week in several intense sessions. 'I like to get exercise in the mornings -walking, gardening - and tackle the writing when my brain is stuffed with oxygen.'

She gets a lot of inspiration whilst showering and if she is not in the mood writing has to wait until tomorrow! She reckons to complete a book each year.

Her novels are approximately 95,000 words and go through three or four draft versions before completion. 'The first draft is completed without stopping to edited previous pages,' she said.

It seems Vera follows the well-established principle that is so familiar to Slough Writers - don't get it right, get it written.

Words and Pictures by Mike Pearcy

2019 Short Story Competition Results

Results Of 2019 Short Story Competition (2019-06-03 17:19:09)

Andrew Unsworth has won first prize in the Slough Writers dystopian story competition with his chilling tale A Burden Eased.

• First and the SW Summer Competition Trophy: A Burden Eased by Andrew Unsworth

• Second place: No Law Against It by Robert Kibble

• 3rd place: Isolde by Elaine Simmond

There were three highly commended stories: The Doors Of Deception by William Campbell, The reliable Sunrise Tin by Carol Breuer and White Coats and Edward Harte.

Andrew's story, set in the not too distant future, tackles the painful subject of coerced suicide. Following the legalisation of euthanasia, the elderly are persuaded to ease the burden of care on their family and society by dying gracefully on live TV.

The competition, which attracted a record number of entries, celebrated the 70th anniversary of the publication of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four.

It was judged by Eton College academic Dr Anna Camilleri in recognition of Orwell's attendance at Eton from 1917 to 1921.

Anna, who currently teaches English at Eton, said of Andrew's winning story, "The idea of publicly executing people on live TV is a really compelling concept. Very Charlie Brooker-esque. It was the one I kept returning to as I read through the entries."

Second place went to Robert Kibble's story No Law Against It, which focused on the reduction of police presence on the streets leading to total indifference towards crime.

Third place was awarded to Elaine Simmonds's story Isolde, an intriguing tale of objectivity versus treachery.

Anna said that she loved the process of reading and critiquing the stories. When delivering the results, she took over an hour to comment on the entries, giving each writer hugely in depth and insightful feedback.

Terry Adlam, Slough Writers Chair shared all the members' thoughts in praising Anna for such a considered and helpful adjudication.

(This report by Lorraine Forrest Turner, pictures by Michael Pearcy.)

2018 Summer Competition Results

Summer Competition Results Announced (2018-11-10 16:36:36)

The judge Richard Palmer

Members of the Slough Writers group took on a challenging brief this summer when they were asked to write a short story from the viewpoint of an inanimate object. The results were announced on Monday 5th November.

• First and the SW Summer Competition Trophy: One Carrot Gold by Lorraine Forrest-Turner

• Second place: CFEF by William Campbell

• 3rd place: Eleanor's Engagement by Robert Kibble

There were two highly commended stories: The Lippinazer Glass by Carol Breuer and Dave and Mike by Julian Davidson

Photographed from left to right are: Carol Breuer, Lorraine Forrest-Turner, Richard Palmer, William Campbell and Robert Kibble (Julian Davidson could not attend the presentation).

The judge, poet and former English teacher Richard Palmer, said, "The competition produced some imaginative and daring writing. I was impressed with the way stories were constructed and the humanity shown in the way writers treated their characters. I also learnt a lot about Scottish history, quantum theory and the manufacture of fine Bohemian glassware!"

Richard continued, "The most successful stories, in my view, held most firmly in mind the fact that a tale was to be told... There had to be some kind of narrative drive... Another important consideration was the personality of the object. That personality should be coloured by the material or shape or function of the object, and the more successful stories did this, their objects exhibiting pride, a knowledge of art theory, empathy with a character wearing it."

(This report by Lorraine Forrest Turner, pictures by Michael Pearcy.)

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.