Archive for 2014

http://thespecialrelationship.net/main/episode-35/

http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/events/category/-1

We still seem to be enjoying summer weather, which is great.  What's not so great is the fact that it's now October and we still haven't found anywhere new to call home.  We thought that by the end of summer we would have found somewhere, and believe me we have looked.  The thinking now is that we may have to wait until the new Willesden Green Library opens in April 2015 with fingers crossed that they honour their offer of our original space back.  So all we can say is keep checking this site and when we have somewhere to meet, you will be the first to know...

 Check this out folks!
http://www.kilburnliteraryfestival.co.uk/

Just a couple of things to flag up - first of there there is this...

http://www.giddylimits.co.uk/over_50s_interests/short-story-competition.html

Then there is our old favourite, never know to disappoint...

http://thespecialrelationship.net/main/episode-34

P.S. Did you know that Tom Basden wrote the scrip for some of these...
www.talkingstatues.co.uk

http://cafewriters.co.uk/home/news-2/poetry-competitionhttp://cafewriters.co.uk/home/news-2/poetry-competition/

http://www.spreadtheword.org.uk/resources/view/free-editorial-reads-from-the-literary-consultancy

http://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/short-story-competitions.php

Well our last meeting of the summer was such an enjoyable one, good company, good writing and the sun came out.  We had the advertised poem from Lynn featuring a boxer and some lemons - are you intrigued?  Well, I'm not going to tell you any more about it except that it was really good and you should have been there to hear it for yourselves, so there.  Then a reading from Clare who is still working out a way to meld the past and the present within her latest piece,  which last night featured a Pre-Raphaelite muse in a bath - see, you really should have been there.  And last but not least, there was Mary's poem also in a way about the past and the present - she will be reading more of her poems on Sunday 20th for Birkbeck Poets at the Duke of Wellington, Balls Pond Rd, London, NI at 19:00.

Make sure to come along tomorrow to get your final wgwg fix for the summer.  Yes, July 17th will be our last meeting before we go off on our hols,  never fear though, we will be back on October 2nd.

 So, in the meantime have a good one and if we don't see you tomorrow - we will see you on the other side....

There will be no group on 3rd July - but wgwg is definitely on for 17th July.

See you there at 7.30pm  :-)

We offer a football free space tonight ( unless someone has written a piece about football of course )

Oh, and this just in ...http://www.influxpress.com/submissions/

Well, I must say it was really good to get back to the group, I really miss it when there's a long gap between us all meeting up.  It was especially good last night as not only did we hear a very good, not to mention topical, poem from Clare, but we also had two newbies turn up.  It's always nice to have new people coming along, and even more so when they bring along such good work.  We all really liked Dustin's piece about a young couple who don't seem to have a lot in common any more.  It's just a shame that he is leaving town on Sunday  (I still really don't get what the stigmata was all about, but whatever...)  It was good to meet Deborah as well, and I hope she kept her promise to type up her story once she got back home ;-)  See you all on the 19th!

Oh dear, the group will not be meeting tonight :-(  We are very sorry and we realise that this is very short notice, but we have only just been informed of a problem by BAR who have assured us that they have taken steps to ensure that this doesn't happen again.  So I guess it's onwards and upwards and here's to the June 5th meeting- which will be happening, come hell or high water!
So keep those words, ideas and inspiration flowing and we will see you in June.

May's entry into 2014 was accompanied by rain and traffic. Regardless, a cheerful group gathered at BAR Gallery. Only a couple of readers this evening. The carefree attitude of Clare's protagonist was brought crashing to earth and newcomer Vince treated us to a morality tale for children. Then we were out again into the wet night to our warm beds. We have been lax on the pub aspect of the group of late. We need to recruit more seasoned drinkers. If you are a seasoned drinker considering joining a writing group, come along. WGWG wants you!

Don't Panic!
The tube strike will be over by Thursday evening, so wgwg will be carrying on as usual - see you there!

Last night the theme of family was strongly in force. Is Clare's wham-blam-thank-you-ma'am character trying to nest or just have a big party? Mandeep told the heartbreaking story of a family's destruction stemming from the father's attempts to prove the infallible union of his marriage. Finally Mary's protagonist saves her beloved family at the cost of herself. Wonderful pieces all round.

This was the second week running without the pub. I blame lent's air of abstinence. Next time, Clare's sitting in for the committee and it will be almost Easter so there has to be drinking. WGWG commands it.

So, last night we had Tracey reading a new piece about an Australian woman arriving at a not very welcoming boarding house - well, I wouldn't want to stay there!  Clare read another cracking excerpt from her latest book.  I really look forward to hearing her read at the group, she has such a way with words and I can't wait to find out how this story develops. Her description of a woman waking up in the morning after the night before with a man she doesn't know that well was spot on, so well observed.

We had a flying visit from Jeff Achampong who promised terminator style, 'I'll be back', and we certainly hope so Jeff. Then we admired the new coffee machine which looks very complicated and is covered in dials and buttons  ( must try and work out how to use it ) Then your dedicated committee members had to knuckle down to some very boring committee work, and thus we did not go to the pub - see what sacrifices we make for you! I trust normal service will be resumed at the next group on April 3rd.

Really looking forward to seeing everyone tonight - rumour has it there is a new coffee machine in place and I'm guessing that's not all that will be brewing tonight...I mean some great stories brewing - geddit :-)

Wgwg eschewed their second February meeting in order to give their full attention to the Queens Parade 2nd anniversary shindig - and what a good idea that turned out to be! The whole parade was filled with enthusiastic people taking in, amongst other delights, the Encounters exhibition in the BAR Gallery whilst another exhibition in the Unlimited Print shop had some live art going on before your very eyes.  There were lots of interesting things to admire and buy in Pop Up Wonderland - I bought a fab silver broach for only £8 - bargain!  There was no shortage of things to see and do, in fact it was so crowded we couldn't even get into the room to hear the poetry and storytelling - that will teach us to get there earlier next time.  Despite the recent weather they managed to get an almost continental vibe going, with people wondering about Walm Lane clutching glasses of wine and chatting.  Add to this some great live music from Creative Cricklewood and lots of  food and drink from local businesses plus the launch of a book all about the regeneration of the local area and it all added up to a great evening.  Well done to everyone involved, you certainly know how to put on a party Queen Parade - can't wait for the next one :-)

So our first official group of 2014 went well. Really well in fact. A whole heap of newbies joined us in our new space and read some fantastic pieces. We had  wishful radio drama , a majestic terrain traversed on two wheels, Cuba through the eyes of an almost Cuban, before an encounter with police in a case of maybe mistaken identity. We'll have to wait for part two to find out for sure. Then we were treated to the heartbreak of a child's questionable attempts at first aid.  Such good writing , such renewed enthusiasm.  The idea of a new anthology doesn't seem so distant any more.

We also heard about the opportunity to collaborate in some interesting up and coming art. So watch this space for more info on that.

Next session on the 20th of February will be the 2yr birthday of the guys at Queen's Parade including BAR gallery. There'll be a book launch and live music and socialising and fun. There won't be any readings so no official group as such but come along and celebrate with BAR and others.

Despite the best efforts of wind, rain, tube strikes and who knows what else - snow? extraterrestrial invasions? bubonic plague, whatever - we will be carrying on regardless tomorrow!  Hope to see you at BAR at 7.30pm.

We at wgwg are really looking forward to meeting friends old and new at our 'taster' session at BAR tonight. Starts at 7.30 - refreshments will be available ( well, tea, coffee, and rumour has it - some wine )
Everyone welcome - and it's free!

We had a blast last night!  BAR made us really welcome and it might seem odd, but to me it really did feel as though we had come home, despite the fact it was actually our first official night there.  We are so grateful that so many people battled through the awful weather to come last night and I think it fair to say that the readings from the group blew them away when they did arrive.  It was such a good night, the books for sale were sold, stories and poems were told, wine flowed, old friendships renewed, new friendships made and a thoroughly good time was had by all.

We look forward to seeing friends old and new next week at our 'taster' session - no charge, just turn up at 7.30pm and find out what goes on at at writing group!