Our Writers' Group: the importance of those four words

I have been in a writers' group for ten or more years. It has been my anchor through other writing groups and classes. I go even if nobody turns up and I write. If nobody turns up, I write poetry. But usually four or five turn up, so then I write fiction. The secret of getting writing done is this: a member of our group brings a magazine and reads a random four or five words to us and maybe another four or five from another section of the magazine, and we jot them down, and then keep writing. This is a free write. I swear I would never write what I write in our group if we just said, okay, write. Those four words lead my mind far and wide. It is amazing!

Mumbai, 2008

Women squatting
Over bowls and buckets
Washing clothes
Washing dishes
Washing children
Squatting, knees ajar
Back towards me
Busy at the day's routine
A child just standing
Only in his dirty shirt
and curly black hair
Playing with nothing
But a brick wall.
His older brother tiptoeing at the dumpster
Peeking to find anything
Anything at all to sell
So they could eat
Something, something, this day.

My consciousness altered, then I was a writer

I remember not being a writer. It was thirteen years ago. Oh, I have written journals since age twelve with only two years missing, so really I was a writer. I just didn’t call myself one. But when I switched to fiction and after several years and maybe two of the four novels I’ve completed, I started to call myself “a writer.” I even got calling cards saying “writer, fiction, non-fiction.” I think the day I felt at ease saying I was a ‘writer,’ especially with myself, was the day I realized I had to simplify my enormously complicated existence in order to get it all written. It was a long process, getting the writing to the top of my endless ‘To Do’ list. But when my consciousness altered, then I knew I was a writer.

Peter's new book

Surviving Paradise, One Year on a Disappearing Island, is a timely book. Peter Rudiak-Gould has captured a way of life that is far removed from his California roots. As a young man, he volunteered to teach on Ujae, one of the Marshall Islands. He ventured into a very foreign way of life and studied it with a fine tooth comb. This author is obviously extremely observant of small, interesting details; the ones most of us might never know about except by reading this fascinating tale. Peter’s own values were challenged to his bones as he tried to teach the young Marshallese children. But he didn’t leave; he got in there and worked his tail off. He learned their language and he learned their values. The writing is superb; intellectual, but easy to read. Not only is it a story of his teaching, but of love, sickness, boredom and adventure. It would be an ideal introduction to an anthropology course because is covers so much in a friendly and easy-to-read way. It would be an adventure for those who might want to try something like this, but who might need a sober introduction! A fun read for any age. Well done!

Working in Cellini's Revenge, the sequel

I write backwards! I freewrite on a certain book, like Cellini's Revenge, the sequel, and I don't know much where I am going. I do know the ending. But even that can change. I think this is a very creative process and one that it takes some nerve to continue to do. Most people think you should plan a book. Well, my plan is to write it any way I can. Knowing the ending helps. But characters pop up from my imagination that I could never have planned, and I think that is fun and interesting and keeps me writing. In the end I have many writings, done in twenty minute slots, that I piece together. It isn't easy. It is very challenging. But it is like a crossword puzzle. There is a place for each piece. Note, however, that four pieces I wrote seem to be asking to be put in the sequel to the sequel. It is a wonderful process. I love it!

Amazon Reviews of Cellini's Revenge

Wendy Bartlett Writes Another Winner, July 18, 2009
By mary greenwood (Miami Beach) - See all my reviews

I wrote a review last year of Wendy Bartlett's Broad Reach, which I awarded five stars. She has done it again.
Bartlett has perfected a literary style that keeps you guessing until the last page. It is a real page turner.

There is more than one story here. There is the story of American Catherine Evans, who is convicted of her English husband's murder in 1956 in England. There is the story of Mrs. Evans thirty years later, after having spent many years in jail, now in her sixties, trying to find out who the real murderer is. There is also the story about the 400 year history of the twelve silver cups stolen from Cellini in 1527.

Mrs. Evans has a motley group of followers, Maureen, who killed her husband in self-defense and her son, Christopher. Mrs. Catherine is in the mode of Agatha Christie's Miss Marpole and Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. Mrs. Evans, although of a certain age and physically challenged, is someone who uses her wit and ingenuity to solve this crime of her beloved husband.

I won't give anything away to spoil the various surprises in store for the reader.

Bartlett has spent years in England and writes about these locales with a local's eye. She writes of Rome, Cornwall, London's Brick Lane, Portabello Road and The Old Bailey with much detail.

I recommend this book for those who love mysteries, for those who love historical fiction, and for those who love England and Italy. I can't wait for her next book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews




Good fun romp through countries and ages, July 9, 2009
By Mr. T. S. Gilb "Tom Gilb" (Kolbotn, Norway) - See all my reviews


This review is from: Cellini's Revenge: The Mystery of the Silver Cups (Hardcover)

This book had detail that kept my attention to the end and I enjoyed its variety and interesting twists. I like a good mystery yarn and detail about history and various countries. I enjoyed her Broad Reach book too and this was even more interesting.

Cellini's Revenge

Wendy Bartlett Writes Another Winner, July 18, 2009
By mary greenwood (Miami Beach) - See all my reviews

Author of How to Negotiate Like a Pro: 41 Rules for Resolving Disputes Winner of six book awards and How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes Winner of ten book awards

I wrote a review last year of Wendy Bartlett's Broad Reach, which I awarded five stars. She has done it again.
Bartlett has perfected a literary style that keeps you guessing until the last page. It is a real page turner.

There is more than one story here. There is the story of American Catherine Evans, who is convicted of her English husband's murder in 1956 in England. There is the story of Mrs. Evans thirty years later, after having spent many years in jail, now in her sixties, trying to find out who the real murderer is. There is also the story about the 400 year history of the twelve silver cups stolen from Cellini in 1527.

Mrs. Evans has a motley group of followers, Maureen, who killed her husband in self-defense and her son, Christopher. Mrs. Catherine is in the mode of Agatha Christie's Miss Marpole and Angela Lansbury's Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote. Mrs. Evans, although of a certain age and physically challenged, is someone who uses her wit and ingenuity to solve this crime of her beloved husband.

I won't give anything away to spoil the various surprises in store for the reader.

Bartlett has spent years in England and writes about these locales with a local's eye. She writes of Rome, Cornwall, London's Brick Lane, Portabello Road and The Old Bailey with much detail.

I recommend this book for those who love mysteries, for those who love historical fiction, and for those who love England and Italy. I can't wait for her next book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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Good fun romp through countries and ages, July 9, 2009
By Mr. T. S. Gilb "Tom Gilb" (Kolbotn, Norway) - See all my reviews


This review is from: Cellini's Revenge: The Mystery of the Silver Cups (Hardcover)
This book had detail that kept my attention to the end and I enjoyed its variety and interesting twists. I like a good mystery yarn and detail about history and various countries. I enjoyed her Broad Reach book too and this was even more interesting. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Report this | Permalink
Comment