WAVERLEY WRITERS OF FOWL REPORT to FOWL (Friends of Waverley Library) COMMITTEE, August 2017
Waverley Writers of FOWL held its 27th meeting on the 3rd Sunday of August from 2-4 pm in the Theory Room in Waverley Library. Despite the extremely cold weather, there were 7 people at this meeting, which Anne Skyvington convened.
Everybody presented a piece of writing to this feedback session. There were three excerpts from novels-in-progress, two poems, a synopsis of a novel, a short story and the first two pages of a biographical piece. It was a diverse and thought-provoking meeting with lots to talk about and to critique. As seems to be the pattern these days, timekeeping ensured that everyone there had the opportunity to participate.
Before the feedback session began, we read the first paragraph of the novel ‘Love and Vertigo’ by Hsu-Ming Teo, (Allen and Unwin, 2000), which led us to discuss some of the similarities between memoir and fiction. Hsu-Ming Teo’s first paragraph allows the reader to think that parts of her novel might be autobiographical, but we don’t know which ones. This led to an extremely lively discussion, with some saying that they don’t like the contemporary trend of adding bits of fiction to memoir etcetera.
Waverley Writers is also pleased to note that our relationship with FOWL continues to grow. Three of us were able to attend the latest FOWL Meet and Greet on the 26th July, which was an enjoyable occasion, as it always is.
Our next meeting will occur on Sunday the 17th of September, from 2-4pm in the Theory Room in Waverley Library. We’re looking forward to seeing you there and are also hoping that the weather will be more encouraging.
Susan Beinart (Liaison), Waverley Writers of FOWL
Love and Vertigo Photo by Tara Bazille