Blind Critique

You’ve written a little piece of prose or poetry. It seems okay, but what might a reader make of it? Maybe it’s time to seek some advice.

Our October meeting will be a “blind critique” session. It works like this:
* Bring five copies of your prose (500 words max) or poetry (two max).
* Don’t put your name on the written material, so that you remain anonymous.
* Groups of four or five people will read and discuss your work.
* You will receive constructive comment and feedback.

It’s an informal opportunity for people to cast an eye over new material and help a writer in his/her quest to improve their work. We’ll focus on the positive.

The meeting takes place on Thursday, October 19, 2017, in the Lesser Hall of St Boswells Village Hall, Jenny Moore’s Road, St Boswells. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments, with the session beginning at 7.20pm. Non-members are welcome to attend and are asked to pay a £3 entry.

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Peebles for Pleasure

Members and visitors enjoyed fine times at the Creative Peebles Festival (August 25 – September 3, 2017). Contributors to the “Abridged” anthology read excerpts from their work at Eastgate Theatre (August 26), while the Open Mic event at Silver Tree Studio (September 2) provided an opportunity for all writers to present five minutes of prose or poetry.

Both events showed that the written and spoken word in the Scottish Borders is in robust health. Positive feedback from participants was pleasing and encouraging. We hope to return to next year’s festival.

The readers were:

Abridged – Campbell Hutcheson (for Gwen and Antony Chessell), Heather Bolton, Ros Anderson (and for Vee Freir), Tony Parkinson (and for Gillian Vickers), Hayley Emberey, Margaret Skea (and for Jane Pearn), Pamela Gordon Hoad and Laurna Robertson.

Open Mic – Tom Murray, Tony Parkinson, Laurna Robertson, Pim Claridge, Ros Anderson, Campbell Hutcheson, Eileen Johnson, Hayley Emberey, Norma Powers, Molly MacIntyre, Philip Hutton, Kathleen Mansfield and Jenny Anderson.

A round of applause to Caroline Adam and festival staff for their assistance and to Theo and Elodie Emberey for help with refreshments at the Open Mic.