P.W.G Minutes of the Meeting on 19 March 2020

Venue: Skype

Present:

John Goodwin Jennie Rook Richard Powell Nikki Burrows Bob Barker Jordi Guri

Apologies from: Caroline Harman-Smith, Dee Leigh and Gill Ainsworth, Derek Whittle.

Greetings Scribes,

First and foremost we hope that you and your closest are healthy and safe.

Next, a great, first online meeting on Skype and virtually, welcoming John G back from the UK. Thank you to everyone who logged in and uploaded documents to read. The meeting was a success and look forward to next week’s readings.

This is a time of great uncertainty but we are all adaptable. I feel on a personal level, PWG can continue to run, and that by engaging our members, we can all support each other through this time of change. Writing can be a very lonely business and now that ‘social distancing’, ‘self-isolating’, ‘being under quarantine’ and ‘lockdown’ are all words at the top of our list of vocabulary and a life reality, we must stick together and keep communicating with everyone, no matter where they are in the world. This can be a simple phone call, a single-line email saying ‘hello, if you need anything – shout’, even just a wave from a window. As some of you know, my work is done virtually and I hope that through my techie knowledge I can bring us all back together and we can continue to have our fun, informative, inspiring and, sometimes even intellectual, meetings online.

For those members who didn’t join us and would like to next week, on Skype, just send your Skype name to jennie@pasolutionservices.com and I will add you to our group. Instructions on how to do this is in last week’s minutes. There is no limit on numbers and you can stay as long as you like, leave the meeting at any time. It is a private group so any document or file you upload will only be shared to the group members on that call. If you have any questions regarding the meetings held on Skype or techie questions, just drop me a line on email. I know some of you have issues with cameras and mics, there’s usually a simple reason why it’s not working. For those who don’t have a Skype account, it is possible for you to attend. If you would like this option please send this request by email on the Wednesday before the meeting.

One final note for those that do join us on Skype:

• To get good quality sound on the call, earphones, mobile hands-free sets with a mic, or a headset with a mic, are all good tools to use. You just plug these in to your device.

• In order to get full broadband speed on the call, which is vital when using video and audio, please switch off any other electrical devices which are connected to your Wi-Fi (obviously not your modem, but items like TV, radio, Wi-Fi printers, mobile phones, etc.) Audio quality can be affected by terrestrial radios and TV’s also. This will result in a smooth uninterrupted call of optimal quality.

• We will always begin the call on time and if anyone drops out for any reason you must call back in when you are ready. (We will not break the meeting to call you back).

• If you have homework or something else to read to us, you can upload it to the group before the meeting, it’s your choice. For those who prefer to follow on paper whilst being read to, please print your copy out before the meeting begins, so no time is wasted.

• Always bring: something to write on and with, a drink of your choice and a sense of humour.

Readings:

Jordi: ‘Hadrian Publius Aelius Hadrianus’ – a humourous, medieval literature, play on how Hadrian’s Wall was built.

Nikki: Based on last week’s homework: ‘The Hoarder’ – a tale of the Covid-19 outbreak from the perspective of a 90 year old lady in the UK.

Rick: ‘Missing POW’ – Chapter 1 from Rick’s work-in-progress novel. Recorded for Rick to listen back to and make his notes. Feedback from the group was given.

Jennie: Based on last week’s homework: ‘It started with a thunderclap’ – a haiku on the effects of Covid-19 around the world.

Bob: ‘A Killing Place in the Sun’ – another chapter from Bob’s forthcoming book. Released in April.

Documents uploaded for reading/feedback:

All the above plus:

John: a sample of ‘Magnetic Pole Solution’ – his environmental novel

Nikki: an excerpt from ‘The Zeus Factor’ – her ‘other Gods’ novel

Coffee break: Throughout the meeting

Homework:

Watch a film of any genre. Write the review in up to 500 words, without naming the characters, the genre or the film title.

We will guess the film, after you’ve read your review in the group meeting.

For those attending the call, please upload your piece to the PWG Skype Group, or any other you would like feedback on.

Next meeting will be on: Thursday 26 March, virtually on Skype at 11:00 - 12:00 (+2 GMT)

Thanks to all who attended, stay healthy and safe and happy writing.