Minutes! 11-20-12

Sorry for the lack of posts. The last few meetings have sort of failed for various reasons. We had a lovely little meeting tonight, though. Here's what you missed:

• We have a new member, Tanise! (Shame on the rest of you for not showing up to meet her!) (Just kidding.) We read a scene from one of her plays. Discussion ensued.
• We workshopped a new play that Raphael is working on. Discussion ensued.
• We read some of Becky's blog stories. Discussion ensued.
• Tanise mentioned the Stockyards Theatre Project's Play for Keeps program, where women can learn to write plays.
• Raphael mentioned the Mystery Build art contest, which sounds really awesome, even though it has nothing to do with writing. 
• The next Dollhouse Reading Series is Saturday, December 15th. I totally want to go. I don't know about you guys...

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30 p.m. at Becky's. (How is it already December?!) See you then. 

Minutes! 10-9-12

Hey everyone! Here's what you missed:

• We spent a great deal of time reading and discussing Becky's stories that she's submitting to grad schools. She is sorry that she took up so much time.
• We read two of Jane's stories. Discussion ensued.
• We had a hilarious discussion about whether or not certain literary devices are "douchey." 
• The Dollhouse Reading Series is this Friday! Let's all go hear some poetry, shall we? 
• Our Mary Shelley Story-Telling Party will take place on Thursday, October 18th at 7:30 p.m.! We're going to celebrate Halloween in a literary way. Write a short scary story/poem/play/song/whatever and bring it to Becky's apartment to read. If you want, you can also bring a short piece that was written by an author you enjoy. Candles to create a spooky atmosphere will be provided. BYOB. Costumes are perfectly acceptable. And who knows? Maybe one of us will write the next Frankenstein.
• Our next regular meeting will be Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. The usual.

Annnnnd now I've just been sitting and eating food and laughing for several hours so I'm REALLY HYPER. I'm going to channel this energy into doing the dishes. See you next time!

Minutes! 9-25-12

Here are the minutes from today's meeting:

• We read Chapter 8 of Glenn's novel. Discussion ensued.
• We also decided that we are all going to RESPOND VIA THE GOOGLE GROUP regarding the second half of Glenn's chapter.
• We read some of Becky's flash pieces. Discussion ensued.
• We read some of Jane's flash pieces. Discussion ensued.
• Shall we all go to The Minus Times release party at The Whistler on Thursday?
• Legs McNeil reads from his book about the history of punk at Late Bar on October 2nd.
• Our next meeting will be Tuesday, October 9th at 7:30 p.m. Becky's apartment.

See you there!

Minutes! 9-11-12

'Twas a small meeting today, but that's alright. Here's what you missed:

• We discussed MFA programs. (Becky has an the MFA issue of Poets & Writers, and she highly recommends it if you're looking into MFA programs. Lots of useful info!)
• We read Rachel's poem. Discussion ensued. 
• We want to have a Mary Shelley story-telling party in October! This would involve us all writing scary stories, getting dressed up, and reading our stories to each other! Who knows? One of us may end up writing the next Frankenstein. Possible dates for this party: October 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th. Let me know what would work best for you!
• Literary things going on in Chicago! Both Junot Diaz AND Irvine Welsh have readings in the city tomorrow (September 12th). On September 27th The Whistler is hosting a release party for Featherproof Books' collected The Minus Times. Could be fun/good networking. Anyone want to go?
• Our next regular meeting will be September 25th at Becky's apartment, 7:30 p.m. Submit stuff! Be there!

That's about it for now. Have a good two weeks full of writing and happy times. 

Minutes! 8-28-12

Look at me, updating this blog like an adult! Here's what you missed:

• We read Chapter 7 of Glenn's novel. Discussion ensued.
• We read the story "Bryce" from Becky's blog. Discussion ensued.
• We read Gena's poem "Why Lingerie is Important." Discussion ensued.
• We read the beginning of Raphael's sci-fi story. Discussion ensued.
• Becky mentioned that we should all possibly submit to The Proof.
• Becky mentioned that we should all possibly enter Bookkus Publishing's first short story contest. (Also--Bookkus Publishing just seems like a really neat publishing format.) 

Now that Summer is drawing to a close, we're going to start meeting twice a month again. Our next meeting will be September 11th at 7:30 p.m. at Becky's. See you all there!

Minutes! 6-4-12

Happy June everyone! Here's what you missed:

• Glenn rejoined us and we read a short story of his. Discussion ensued. Interesting thought--is it ok to have one half of a story be written in a slow, introspective manner and the second half be written in a quick, plot-heavy manner? Does it make the story too unbalanced?
• We read Gena's poems. Discussion ensued. Interesting thought--are stanzas always necessary?
• We read Chapter 5 of Becky's novel. Discussion ensued. Interesting thought--are there any good techniques to help keep your narrative voice and your characters' voices separate? 
• Gena suggested we might take a field trip to the Music Box Theater to see a special showing of the National Theater's production of Frankenstein. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Danny Boyle, this is sure to be a literary treat. Wow, I just grossed myself out by writing that. So cheesy. At any rate, it should be lots of fun. Anyone up for it?
• We are DEFINITELY taking a field trip to Printer's Row Lit Fest this Sunday! We'll probably meet there around noon. A facebook event page will be created.
• Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 19th at 7:30 p.m. at Becky's.

That's all for now. See you next time!

Minutes! 5-22-12

Oh man, it was quite the tiny, tangential meeting this evening! But lots of fun. Here's what you missed:

• We read two pieces of Jane's flash fiction. Discussion ensued. Interesting ideas: can a flash piece be a good beginning for a longer story? Does shaking someone's hand feel like a boob?
• We decided Jane should write a book of short stories that are descriptions of body parts until she cobbles together a sort of Frankenstein person.
• Gena recommended The Book of Beginnings and Endings. It's exactly what it sounds like--just the beginnings and endings of stories.
• We read the second half of Chapter 4 of Becky's novel. Discussion ensued. Interesting idea: does using a brand name in your story make it too dated? 
• Becky now has a year's subscription to Writer's Digest, so if you want to borrow an issue or something, let her know.
• Gena started a blog in which she will write a letter to you if you give her a topic. Check it out!
• Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 5th, 7:30 p.m. at Becky's apartment. 

That's all for now. See you next time!