Writing Prompt

In honor of Extraterrestrial Abductions Day, March 20th

One of the most popular writing genres today is science fiction.

Here's your opportunity to test your comfort zone and write something about 

aliens, extratrrestrials, outer space, invasion of earth, or anything else you want that has to do with this topic. 

Use the photo as a guide or, if you prefer, come up with your own idea to

fit this genre.

Bring them to the next meeting! We will share them with the group!

Book Mobile Festival - March 30 10:00-2:00

Bookmobile Festival

Saturday March 30

10:00am - 2:00pm

Ada Library

Yes, the Bookmobile Festival is coming! Ada Library is hosting this event to let people know there are more things than books at the library. We have been asked, as a club meeting at the library, to participate. 

Betty is the group leader for this challenge. We will have a table encouraging people to join Ada Writers, brochures about the upcoming Short Story Contest, members selling their books (and signing), members reading poetry or stories, a poster asking people to recommend a good book with sticky notes for their suggestions, a poster of our poetry contest winners and their poems, a hop-scotch mat for the kids, and possibly candy or cookies (of course).

Please plan on attending, at least for part of the time. If you would be willing to read a story or poem, have a book you'd like to sell. Let Betty know. If you'd like to help with anything else, let Betty know. This is a great opportunity to make ourselves visible to the community and encourage possible new members to join us.

Rennie St. will be closed for the block in front of the library.

Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and the festival will be outside. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the tables will be set up inside. The bookmobile will be there no matter what. Have your kids or grandkids ever seen a bookmobile? Maybe this is their chance!

On a Personal Note...

We are into our 3rd month of 2019. I've changed the format of our meeting to include

talking about our art - writing. I'm trying to get members more involved in the meetings and to learn more about our craft. The first several meetings, I received great feedback. Everyone seemed on board. I thought we were moving forward as a club. We went from having four active members to eighteen at the end of today's meeting.

I'm not sure what happened but I've gotten the impression not everyone is not happy with the way things are going lately. No one has spoken to me about a problem. However, today several people chose not to vote on an issue. This is not good for the club. No one has to agree with me. You won't hurt my feelings. Just talk to me. I'm the president of the club, not because I asked to be. I was asked to run. I was voted in by the club members. Many people had talked about leaving the club unless something changed, including me. 

I'm trying to move our club to do more writing and learning about writing. Things to help us improve our skills. I want us to support each other. To reach out into the community and encourage other authors. I want any child who wants to write to have the opportunity. I am not a teacher. I have taken many writing courses, but I am not an expert. I do not want to force my ideas on anybody. If you're not happy with the changes I've made, let me know. We can always go back to the way things were. 

I'm part of Ada Writers Club. It's a club. A group of people with like interests. I am not the final say on anything - that's up to the club. I want what's best for the club, that's why I'm here. 

If anyone wants to discuss any issues with me, please do so. You can add a comment to this post or you can call me directly. My numbers are 580-332-8373 or 580-235-5024. Like I said, you won't hurt my feelings. I won't be mad. 

I love you all! 

Debbie

Ada Writers President.

Today's Business Meeting

March 9, Business Meeting

First, I want to thank Clay for his presentation on computer storage. It was interesting and

informative. I wish we had more time so Clay could show us more. The business meeting went overtime. I've asked Clay to come back next meeting and teach us some tricks to help us be more efficient while writing. Thanks again, Clay.

The Book Mobile Festival is March 30th from 10-2 at the library. We agreed to have a table to represent our group. We will have books by Ada Writers club members for sale, hopscotch for the kids, a poster with the poetry contest winners, a poster for people to give book recommendations, and people reading poetry or short stories periodically. Thank you, Betty, for coming up with ideas for this project.

Janet from Legacy Portraits offered to take photos of each member of the club for the cost of $10 per person, to be used for Creations 2019. The club would be given a disc with everyone's photo to be used as the club sees fit. Any member who would like to buy additional photos for themselves can do so. Janet said she would give us a good discount for the extra photos. She wants us to come to her studio before or after one of our meetings so she can take all the pictures at the same time. The date for this will be announced. The club has agreed to accept this offer and to pay the $10 per person to assure everyone in the club is included. 

Photos

Many of you have asked where I find the beautiful pictures I put on our blog. Well, here's my secret - Unsplash.com. Yup, A website of free photos that can be used at your discretion. I found it by accident. It's a collection of photos from various photographers who donate their works to be used by the public. It's their gift to the world. You can credit the photographer or not it's up to you. Plus, it gives the artist more exposure. So, try them out!

500 Words or Less, Yikes!

Ada Writers is hosting a Short Story Contest beginning April 30th.

It must be 500 words or less, no exceptions.

I don't know about you but this seems impossible to me. How can you possibly tell a  story in just 500 words? Several fellow Ada Writers have proven me wrong in the past few weeks. I will not divulge their names, yet. I'm sure they will be brought to the spotlight soon.

Meanwhile, I have done some research. I found this wonderful website of free short stories to download and read: https://www.theshortstory.co.uk/resources/free-short-stories/

The stories range in length but several have 500 words!

I do believe the best way to learn is to read. There are many short stories out there.

A short story is considered from 500 to 20,000 words. I suggest reading those at the low-end of the list to get the feel for what a 500-word story sounds like. Then try to write one of your own. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

I am a writer...

About Theme ...

Theme

What is theme?

1. Theme is the underlying message or 'big idea' of the story. It's the critical belief the author is trying to convey about life in the writing of a novel, poem, play, or short story.
2. It transcends cultural barriers, it is usually universal in nature. When a theme is universal it touches on the human experience regardless of race or language.
3. It's what the story means.
4. A piece of writing may have more than one theme.
5. It is a statement about life.

In order for writing to be meaningful and lasting, it needs to have a theme. It must have a deeper meaning than just the words on the page.

Following are examples of themes in some well-known stories:

1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding - All humans are capable of evil, even children. Evil lives in the hearts of man.
2. The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry - Love is more valuable than any material gift.
3. The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 - Love your neighbor. 

This Saturday is Business Meeting!

Business Meeting This Saturday - March 9

We will be talking about all aspects of the club and we want your input - so please come! 

 Have questions about why your computer is doing something? Want to know how to use certain keys or how to make your computer do what you want to do? This is your chance!

Clay has agreed to do a presentation of using the computer. He will be answering your questions. By the way, thanks Clay, for doing this.

Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

         

           Fat Tuesday (known as the French - Mardi Gras ) Originally was the preparation for the coming of Lent and Easter. During Lent, believers were not to eat any animal products - meat, milk, eggs, butter, etc. So, Fat Tuesday became the day to eat these items and use them up before Lent Began. Of course, like so many other things, it has become a day of indulgence, and for some people, a day of hedonism. Anyone who has observed a Mardi Gras parade knows what I talking about. 
           
           Ash Wednesday is the day after Fat Tuesday and the first day of Lent. It is a Christian Holy Day of repentance, fasting, and prayer. Many denominations apply a cross made of ashes on the forehead. Ash Wednesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Old Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, and some Baptists.  
            Because it is the first day of Lent, many Christians, on Ash Wednesday, often begin marking a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional, and abstaining from a luxury that they will not partake in until Easter Sunday arrives. 

            Do you have a memory or experience pertaining to either Fat Tuesday or Ash Wednesday? Write it down. Can you make it into a story, poem, or memoir? We'd love to hear it.