Due to a communication error, two sessions of Shawano Area Writers were held on Feb. 16.
In the first session, Twilla Beyer had heard from two schools that she contacted about the George Putz Student Writing Contest. She also made up a poster which can be used to be sent to the schools as a good reminder. Barb King heard back from four schools and Trudy Bosman from three.
Trudy Bosman announced that there are several current contests in poetry and prose on Writer’s Digest that aren’t very expensive to enter, including a poetry contest.
Wendy Goerl announced gutsygreatnovels.com has a contest for $20 to send in the first chapter of your novel.
Tom Thorstenson explained that some members from the Green Bay Writers’ group are selling their books at the Market on Military, which used to be the old Sears building. It meets the first, third, and fifth Saturdays of the month. In the summer they move outdoors.
Trudy Bosman started the readings with a poem about the different ways to have a taco and a misguided poem titled “Bad Advice.”
Tom Thorstenson read his story “The Vile Inn.” In his younger years, Tom would travel on his bike and sleep anywhere. One night he was caught in a rainstorm, so he decided to sleep in his goose down sleeping bag under a picnic table in a park. He was soaking wet by the time he crawled into the sleeping bag.
Lee Pulaski read a blog that will lead to the story he reads next month titled “When Unbridled Inspiration Strikes, Chicken Soup Follows.”
Barb King read a chapter from the book “The Children in the Garden.” Jillian is now living on the main floor of her house. She hears a sound upstairs and starts checking the upstairs bedrooms which are filled from floor to ceiling with boxes and bags, except for two rooms that appear to have been a child’s bedroom and a playroom. At first glance everything looks normal, but looking closer the heads, legs and arms of stuffed animals and dolls have been cut or ripped off. Screwdrivers and scissors have been driven into plastic and cloth bodies. Pictures and doll faces are smashed.
Wendy Goerl read “Heartstone’s Gathering from Like Minds.” Kinta and Alex are trying to straighten out the cover story for why Alex is covered with scratches and bruises.
At the second meeting, John Mutter gave the treasurer’s report.
Michael Oberle from the Shawano County Historical Society talked to the group. He is looking for anyone who has writing skills. The Leadership Shawano County Team will be putting bronze plaques on historical buildings and sites in Shawano County. They hope to have 20 completed by Octoberfest. They will be starting with Main Street. The plaques will be 20 by 24 inches and will hold a picture, an 860-character story and a Quick Bar Code which will take the reader back to the historical society where they will find more pictures and information.
This is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in history, likes to research and write short stories. You can contact Michael Oberle at obe99@yahoo.com or 715-628-6216.
John Mutter will have a story in Wisconsin Writer’s Association online magazine Creative Wisconsin. It is titled “The Great Deception” about when John was born with a finger in his ear.
Shawano Area Writers will meet March 16 at the library from 10 a.m. to noon.
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