February Meeting

We had a very inspiring meeting of our group a week ago Sunday at Valerie Shimoyama's apartment. Thank you, Valerie! Present were Valerie, June Saunders, Kerry Pobanz, Richard Panzer, Jerry Chesnut, Bob and Karen Beebe, and newcomer Russell Shen, invited by Valerie (welcome!).

Bob started off the meeting by sharing some responses he had received from people who had heard about the publication of The Spirited Goldfinch and about the existence of our group. Several writers, both published and nonpublished, wrote very encouraging messages, expressing a desire to contribute to the next edition of the journal (still this summer, hopefully!) and wanting to keep in touch. One writer, an English professor from Washington State connected to Free Teens, already sent in a short story he had written. Concerning the journal itself, we have currently sold over 30 copies. Slightly short of being a best-seller, but it's a start.

Then Jerry shared an update on his sort-of autobiography, which is growing more fictional as he brings us up to the present and into the future. Whether fact or fiction, however, Jerry continues to delight us with his inimitable style and way with words (e.g., "all shows led to the Friday Night Movie, the last stop before test patterns and pre-civilization.")

From there we heard from June on her latest chapter of "Into the Breach," entitled "First Blood." The Civil War has begun, young men are going off to war, while Gabriel stays back to wed Genevieve to protect her from the shame of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. In this chapter, June did a masterful job at conveying the conflicting feelings at work as they attempt to sort out their relationship.

Our next meeting is scheduled for this Sunday, March 15, 3:00-5:00 pm, at the Beebe residence (26 Amity St., Little Falls). Valerie is supposed to present some of her work. If, perchance, she is not ready, I will present one of my short stories. In this case, I will send it out by the weekend for you to read.

God bless you all! I look forward to seeing you Sunday.