January 2014 - District 5 Meeting Minutes
Dear KAC District 5 Members,
Here's a summary of January's meeting for your reading pleasure.
Note: This year we will meet in July and August (so every month will have something happening). Also note: We're working on a district 5 writing contest, headed up by Ray (Griz) Racobs.
Minutes of KAC District 5 Meeting on January 11, 2014
Rockwell Library, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Business (Chaired by president Roy Beckemeyer) :
1. Introductions were made by all, going around the room. Eighteen people attended this meeting.
2. The board met January 10 and decided we'll extend our regular district meetings to include July and August. For many years we have not met during those months.
3. February's meeting will be at Larksfield Place (7373 E 29th St. N), Feb. 8, 2:00-4:00
4. Treasurer Griz (Ray Racobs) said our balance of $7,139 means we can now have a checking account for no charge at our current bank, Emprise Bank.
5. Wrist bands (the KAC "I Write" bands) now can be purchased for just $1.
6. Larksfield letter-openers are free but donations will always be accepted.
7. The few remaining convention buttons are now free—some may still be around by Feb. meeting.
8. Griz suggested, and we agreed, to give new members a KAC pin at no charge.
9. Used books donated by attendees will be sold at each meeting for whatever amount a buyer wishes to give. At the end of the meeting all remaining books will be donated to the library.
10. Sara Jones suggested we set aside a percentage each year to promote KAC so that when our turn to host the convention rolls around again (in six years) we will be better known locally. This idea will be added to the board's next meeting for discussion.
11. Griz outlined ideas for the District 5 writing contest approved by the board yesterday. Ideas included making the deadline the end of the year, having about five categories, having a category based on a title such as "Most Memorable Moment" or "Most Embarassing Moment" and having a humor category. Griz is looking for ideas for a theme. Firm details will be forthcoming.
12. Roy Beckemeyer said we are working with City Arts for a poetry event.
The program was presented by vice-president Louise Pelzl. It centered on what we have learned, and can learn, about writing, and the benefits of being associated with a writing group. Some highlights were:
The secret to writing--there isn't one; everyone does it differently. Some people are "pants-ers" writing by the seat of their pants; others are "plotters" outlining extensively first. Find your own style.
Three "rules" Louise mentioned:
1. Make time--you just have to write
2. Don't give up on yourself--persevere
3. Become part of a critique group (one that suits you) and have critique partners.
Louise bought and uses the Dragon software that records what you say and even reads it back to you.
She also recommended two books, especially for those writing a book:
1. Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Randy Brown and David King.
2. English Simplified by John A. Higgins
Regarding editing, Louise writes the entire work first before letting others such as her editors read it. That helps preserve her "voice" making it less likely editors will try to change that part.
A good website to check for publishers and to eliminate bad ones is called "Predators and Editors" on the web at http://pred-ed.com/
Roy suggested it might be a better to disconnect from the internet while writing to eliminate distractions such as email and messaging.
At the end Louise gave us all a small banner, "Write lots of bad sentences," giving us the freedom to write fearlessly.
The program concluded with 10 minutes remaining to visit with others.
Here's a summary of January's meeting for your reading pleasure.
Note: This year we will meet in July and August (so every month will have something happening). Also note: We're working on a district 5 writing contest, headed up by Ray (Griz) Racobs.
Minutes of KAC District 5 Meeting on January 11, 2014
Rockwell Library, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Business (Chaired by president Roy Beckemeyer) :
1. Introductions were made by all, going around the room. Eighteen people attended this meeting.
2. The board met January 10 and decided we'll extend our regular district meetings to include July and August. For many years we have not met during those months.
3. February's meeting will be at Larksfield Place (7373 E 29th St. N), Feb. 8, 2:00-4:00
4. Treasurer Griz (Ray Racobs) said our balance of $7,139 means we can now have a checking account for no charge at our current bank, Emprise Bank.
5. Wrist bands (the KAC "I Write" bands) now can be purchased for just $1.
6. Larksfield letter-openers are free but donations will always be accepted.
7. The few remaining convention buttons are now free—some may still be around by Feb. meeting.
8. Griz suggested, and we agreed, to give new members a KAC pin at no charge.
9. Used books donated by attendees will be sold at each meeting for whatever amount a buyer wishes to give. At the end of the meeting all remaining books will be donated to the library.
10. Sara Jones suggested we set aside a percentage each year to promote KAC so that when our turn to host the convention rolls around again (in six years) we will be better known locally. This idea will be added to the board's next meeting for discussion.
11. Griz outlined ideas for the District 5 writing contest approved by the board yesterday. Ideas included making the deadline the end of the year, having about five categories, having a category based on a title such as "Most Memorable Moment" or "Most Embarassing Moment" and having a humor category. Griz is looking for ideas for a theme. Firm details will be forthcoming.
12. Roy Beckemeyer said we are working with City Arts for a poetry event.
The program was presented by vice-president Louise Pelzl. It centered on what we have learned, and can learn, about writing, and the benefits of being associated with a writing group. Some highlights were:
The secret to writing--there isn't one; everyone does it differently. Some people are "pants-ers" writing by the seat of their pants; others are "plotters" outlining extensively first. Find your own style.
Three "rules" Louise mentioned:
1. Make time--you just have to write
2. Don't give up on yourself--persevere
3. Become part of a critique group (one that suits you) and have critique partners.
Louise bought and uses the Dragon software that records what you say and even reads it back to you.
She also recommended two books, especially for those writing a book:
1. Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Randy Brown and David King.
2. English Simplified by John A. Higgins
Regarding editing, Louise writes the entire work first before letting others such as her editors read it. That helps preserve her "voice" making it less likely editors will try to change that part.
A good website to check for publishers and to eliminate bad ones is called "Predators and Editors" on the web at http://pred-ed.com/
Roy suggested it might be a better to disconnect from the internet while writing to eliminate distractions such as email and messaging.
At the end Louise gave us all a small banner, "Write lots of bad sentences," giving us the freedom to write fearlessly.
The program concluded with 10 minutes remaining to visit with others.