Goyder Girl Terry L Probert

 

She's living on the margin

Educated by the seasons, tempered by the dust

The farm split, by Goyder's bloody line

A line to determine your fortune, your fate

Not something in a good season you see

But in a drought year, it's heart breaking it's there

Everything withers, only tough will survive

We have money to lend, the banker will say

Invest in more machinery, more diesel, and spray

We have faith in the farmer, his will and resolve

But if it don't rain

Our umbrella of faith, we'll rip soon away.

 

She's living on the margins

And because of a line that exists 

Once seen in an old surveyor's mind

Her tender young hands now grip like steel

Working two jobs on which they rely

Cause straddling the Goyder

The bank needs to see a steady income

For a farm to get by

Weekly Round Up

CAPTAINS LOG 22nd February 2019

Sorry for the delay in this weekly report but it’s been one of those weeks.

So, on Wednesday, Terry was back, which is great, there was an apology from Kristen who is under the weather, Julee, Tracey, Sonia and Janeen were on deck. I had an appointment with the fang farrier, so I missed most of Julee’s critique, arriving just in time to hit her with mine.

Julee’s re-write is coming on very well, with very little to comment on. She’s hoping to have it finished by the end of the year and the way she’s going I feel she is well on track.

Then it was my turn. I submitted a short story I’d adapted as the first chapter of a new book. I took a well-deserved canning and am unsure whether to continue on with it or not. I’ll submit my second chapter to see if the book has any merit and then I’ll make up my mind from there.

My thanks to everyone for their well thought out comments and suggestions, a great help as always and much appreciated.

Next week, Janeen and Terry will be giving a combined workshop on publishing. Both have experiences which will prove invaluable to the rest of us, so it will be interesting and enlightening. I hope everyone can be there to support them.

Just a reminder that our first theme day will be held on the 13^th of March.

Writing genre:  Romance - Maximum of 500 words - Beginning, Middle, Satisfactory end - No parts, or characters, from stories you are writing or have previously written to be used- No first drafts, polished, competition ready.

Don’t leave it until the last minute because you think you have plenty of time, start now and be happy with what you’ve written. 

Finished pieces should be sent to me no later than the Sunday prior to the day.

I hope to see you all next Wednesday.

Until then, ‘Live long and prosper.

Changes for 2019

A change has been made to our 2019 calendar to make space for more emphasis on short story writing and each month members will be challenged to write a 500 word FLASH FICTION story to a set theme.

Please find below the details for our first theme day to be held on the 13th of March.

Writing genre: ROMANCE

For Authors:

* Writers will have one month to consider and write the piece.

* Stories are limited to a maximum of 500 words.

* Normal writing scenarios apply i.e. Beginning, Middle, Satisfactory end. 

* Do not use parts, or characters, from stories you are writing or have previously written.

* Submissions should be polished. The best you can do. Competition ready, not first drafts.

* Finished pieces should be sent to the facilitator via e-mail by the Sunday before the              nominated Theme Day for distribution.

For Those Submitting their Critique:

* Once received, please critique and review each piece in line with our critiquing guidelines. 

* A Verbal critique will be presented to all attendees on Theme Day for respectful discussion with each author.

* Printed marked up copies of the critique will be presented to the author of the piece.

Critiquing hints:

* Condense your critique.

* Ignore spelling, grammatical and layout errors.

* Comment only on readability, plot and setting.

* Are the characters believable?

* Does it show not tell?

* Does it make sense?

CAPTAIN'S LOG: 29th January 2019

Happy New Year to you all.

I hope you have all been working away over Christmas and have plenty to submit.

So, we are back on Wednesday the 6^th February and I’m happy to receive work at any time now to pass onto the group for our first session. I confess, I’ve been slack and have not written a word.

As you know, Meg will not be with us this year due to her new job. At this stage, I’ve had no word from the library about a replacement, or even if we want one.

Hope to see you all soon.

Regards

Les

Captain's Log September 12th 2018

G’day Wordies,

We had six show up for Meg this week, Tracey, Sonia, Julee, Janeen, Terry and me. Apologies from Kristen. 

First up, we had a very interesting discussion about the ramification for writers of the closure of Dennis Jones and Associates, the book distributor. A sad and disturbing thing, which affects a great many Australian writers. Then we moved onto Meg’s writing exercise, and no, it wasn’t writing using the wrong hand while meditating by standing on our heads. It was, however, very different. In fact, it was quite interesting and thought-provoking.

     Meg is off to London next Wednesday, so I’d just like to wish her a happy and successful trip. London is a great city, with so much to do and see. 

Now – Warning – Warning – Warning. School holidays are approaching, and still no sign of any ‘kid raid’ shelters being provided by the council.  So, we need to make a decision.

     Kristen, Sonia and Terry are unavailable both weeks. Janeen will be out for the second week, as will Julee and I. Therefore, I think we should still have a normal session on the 26th September as, Tracey, Janeen, Julee and I should be in attendance. I think that we should cancel the second week (3rd October) as only Tracey is available. However, with her ‘Big Day’ looming that Saturday, I’m sure she won’t mind cancelling that particular Wednesday as well. If I’ve mucked up, please feel free to let me know.

A normal critiquing week next Wednesday, if anyone has anything, you know the drill. If not, I’ll throw myself down for sacrifice again. 

I hope to see most of you next Wednesday.

Until then, ‘Falbh ann an sith.’

Regards,

Les

New Calendar Update

2018

FEBRUARY 7          MATHEW 14        CRITIQUE 21        CRITIQUE 28        CRITIQUE	MARCH 7          MATHEW 14        CRITIQUE 21        CRITIQUE 28        CRITIQUE	APRIL 4          CRITIQUE - School Hols 11        MEG            - School Hols 18        CRITIQUE 25        ANZAC DAY
MAY 2          FUN DAY 9          CRITIQUE 16        MEG 23        CRITIQUE 30        CRITIQUE	JUNE 6          CRITIQUE 13        CRITIQUE 20        MEG 27        FUN DAY	JULY 4          CRITIQUE - School Hols 11        CRITIQUE- School Hols 18        MEG 25        CRITIQUE
AUGUST 1          CRITIQUE 8          CRITIQUE 15        MEG 22        FUN DAY 29        CRITIQUE	SEPTEMBER 5          CRITIQUE 12        CRITIQUE 19        MEG 26        CRITIQUE- School Hols	OCTOBER 3          CRITIQUE - School Hols 10        CRITIQUE 17        MEG 24        CRITIQUE 31        FUN DAY
NOVEMBER 7          CRITIQUE 14        CRITIQUE 21        MEG 28        CRITIQUE	DECEMBER 5          CRITIQUE 12        LUNCH

Captain's Log: 21st March 2018

A full house yesterday for an interesting session. First off, we welcomed our new mentor, Meg, a highly qualified and motivated lady who has made writing the main focus of her life (after her family of course). Meg will be conducting once a month workshops/talks. for us.

First off, we had a roundtable discussion get to know each other, to talk about our and Meg’s various writing backgrounds. Then, Meg sat through two of our critiques:

Terry’s chapter 7 - Hallelujah, praise the lord, Voss lives. I thought he was a goner for sure after the four-wheel drive incident. Was it an accident or deliberate?

Julee’s chapter 39 – As KT said, ‘What are you doing to us? First Emma and now Violet.’ Oh, and don’t worry, even though the fire brigade was called to attend the blaze caused by the unauthorised welding, no real harm was done.

Two excellent chapter, which, with a little tweaking will both be even more excellenterer (I invented the word this morning and it will be in the Oxford dictionary by tonight).

Everyone was on their best behaviour this week, with no verbal fights, swearing or punches thrown.

It certainly was nice to meet Meg for the first time and I do feel, that after meeting us, she has our measure and will be able to put together some interesting and informative workshops for us. I have promised to include her in our critique post outs so that she can keep an eye on what we are producing.

I’ve prepared a new calendar, reflecting Meg’s sessions and am just waiting for her to get back to me about April (Meg can’t do the third week) before I send it out.

Congratulations to Janeen for the Hobart bookshops who have asked to sell her book. And to Terry who’s first Voss is about to go into print.

I look forward to seeing you all next week, until then  ‘Sholem Aleichem’.

Regards Les