KAC District 5
Minutes, February 17, 2024
The State Zoom session was a presentation by M. Christine Benner Dixon on “Writing Glitter, How Art Gets Into Everything.” I would encourage anyone who missed this to watch the recording. She listed many devices for getting out of writer’s block, speaking of setting a place and time to write, “finding a door to your writing ‘house’,” various “paperless prompts,” and spoke of various activities that count as writing, describing activities that may give us story ideas.
Business Meeting:
Action item: We have scheduled our first writers’ retreat at Sandee Taylor’s home for April 27, 2024. The discussion concerned how to pay for the costs of the retreat and after the discussion, Janice Northerns moved, and Tyler Henning seconded to pay retreat costs from the District 5 Treasury. This was approved by hand vote.
Samantha Barrett also proposed that for the month of April, we announce a self-guided writing challenge similar to the NaNoWrMo. Members could commit to writing a certain number of words per day, or commit to a poem a day, etc. At the writing retreat, there would be a judging of how stated goals were met and prizes awarded. Sam also proposed that we encourage one another through D5 Facebook posts during that time. Ray (Griz) Racobs suggested a photo contest. Janice also suggested Ekphrastic writing based on a chosen painting.
It was moved by Tyler and seconded by Tammy Hader that we use the month of April 2024 as a “NaNoWrMo-type” writing challenge. This was approved by hand vote. Details are to be discussed at the March meeting.
Other Announcements:
The State Convention will be October 4-6 at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, Kansas. The theme is Words Take Flight. State Literary contests run from April 1 to June 15, so begin now to prepare your entries. Rules for the contests are listed on the State website.
The State has an Open Mic session on the second Tuesday of each month, 7-9 PM. If you are interested, refer to the KAC newsletter each month for the Zoom link,
Officer Reports:
Treasurer: The current bank balance was reported. On January 30, a check for $1,000 was written to the State KAC, including $500 for payments to monthly presenters and $500 to offset the honorarium for the keynote speaker at the Convention in October 2024.
Membership: No new members this month. Several members renewed their membership.
Writers in Community: No report.
Retreat Committee: See discussion in the business meeting above.
Critique Groups:
Cuppa Creations meets the second and fourth Wednesday each month from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Cinnamon’s Deli, 205 S. West Street. Currently we have four regular-attending members and would be happy to receive three or four more. If interested, call Connie White at 316-210-2917.
Sunflower Writers is a Zoom group meeting the THIRD Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM. Sandee Taylor facilitates the group, and they could use 2-3 more contributors.
Sunflower Scribes: Another Zoom group facilitated by Sandee, meeting on the FOURTH Tuesday from 7-9 PM each month. At this time, the group is full.
El Dorado Critique Group: This group meets at the Reliance Bookstore in El Dorado on the second Wednesday afternoon. If you are interested, please talk to Sandee Taylor.
Connie White, Secretary
Minutes, February 17, 2024
The State Zoom session was a presentation by M. Christine Benner Dixon on “Writing Glitter, How Art Gets Into Everything.” I would encourage anyone who missed this to watch the recording. She listed many devices for getting out of writer’s block, speaking of setting a place and time to write, “finding a door to your writing ‘house’,” various “paperless prompts,” and spoke of various activities that count as writing, describing activities that may give us story ideas.
Business Meeting:
Action item: We have scheduled our first writers’ retreat at Sandee Taylor’s home for April 27, 2024. The discussion concerned how to pay for the costs of the retreat and after the discussion, Janice Northerns moved, and Tyler Henning seconded to pay retreat costs from the District 5 Treasury. This was approved by hand vote.
Samantha Barrett also proposed that for the month of April, we announce a self-guided writing challenge similar to the NaNoWrMo. Members could commit to writing a certain number of words per day, or commit to a poem a day, etc. At the writing retreat, there would be a judging of how stated goals were met and prizes awarded. Sam also proposed that we encourage one another through D5 Facebook posts during that time. Ray (Griz) Racobs suggested a photo contest. Janice also suggested Ekphrastic writing based on a chosen painting.
It was moved by Tyler and seconded by Tammy Hader that we use the month of April 2024 as a “NaNoWrMo-type” writing challenge. This was approved by hand vote. Details are to be discussed at the March meeting.
Other Announcements:
The State Convention will be October 4-6 at Rock Springs Ranch near Junction City, Kansas. The theme is Words Take Flight. State Literary contests run from April 1 to June 15, so begin now to prepare your entries. Rules for the contests are listed on the State website.
The State has an Open Mic session on the second Tuesday of each month, 7-9 PM. If you are interested, refer to the KAC newsletter each month for the Zoom link,
Officer Reports:
Treasurer: The current bank balance was reported. On January 30, a check for $1,000 was written to the State KAC, including $500 for payments to monthly presenters and $500 to offset the honorarium for the keynote speaker at the Convention in October 2024.
Membership: No new members this month. Several members renewed their membership.
Writers in Community: No report.
Retreat Committee: See discussion in the business meeting above.
Critique Groups:
Cuppa Creations meets the second and fourth Wednesday each month from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at Cinnamon’s Deli, 205 S. West Street. Currently we have four regular-attending members and would be happy to receive three or four more. If interested, call Connie White at 316-210-2917.
Sunflower Writers is a Zoom group meeting the THIRD Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM. Sandee Taylor facilitates the group, and they could use 2-3 more contributors.
Sunflower Scribes: Another Zoom group facilitated by Sandee, meeting on the FOURTH Tuesday from 7-9 PM each month. At this time, the group is full.
El Dorado Critique Group: This group meets at the Reliance Bookstore in El Dorado on the second Wednesday afternoon. If you are interested, please talk to Sandee Taylor.
Connie White, Secretary