Our second session for 2025, this coming Monday 17 March at 2pm in Room 1, will continue to incorporate an orientation for new members alongside the sharing of stories.
A number of stories have already been sent in, however here are the topic suggestions if you need a reminder:
New Members:
‘Failure’ ‘Write about a failure you’ve experienced – from the commonplace to the catastrophic – in 500 words’. (ABC Open April 2017) Resource: Some guidelines for writing a 500 word about 'Failure' (ABC Open Planning Sheet)
OR
‘Success!’ –‘turn the guidelines for approaching the Failure story on their head by writing about a treasured success you’ve experienced – from the commonplace to the (almost…) world shattering, or in your world at least!’
It is of course fine to 'pass', or to share a story from February’s topics ‘New in Town’ or ‘I Was There’. If you haven’t yet dipped your toes into the water with a first story, now could be the time. Remember, it is often helpful to read Tips for Writing Your 500 Words from ABC Open. Please don't feel constrained though - our aim is to enjoy writing; to further develop our own writing style and to share our writing with a positive and supportive audience.
Returning Members: Suggested topics - with the goal to write, as for beginners, to a 500-word limit.
‘Reflecting on Covid on the 5th anniversary’ It’s the fifth anniversary of the Co-vid shutdown on 20th March. A chance to reflect back on your memories and experiences then from the standpoint of time. A dip into our Newsletter and stories at the time might refresh your memories.
OR
‘Sisters’… It’s International Women’s Month in March, a time to focus on women’s lives and stories. Memoirs have been written about ‘Sisters’…for example, by Drusilla Modjeska. Write about some sisters in your family, whether your own, a parent’s, your children, your grandchildren, in a way which uncovers the strengths, the challenges, the joys of ‘sisterhood’…or perhaps a sister’s strength, creativity, perseverance, contributions.
Of course, it's fine for new and returning members to select from any of the suggested topics!
Some members may have a 'catch up' story to share, and for long-term members, it’s fine to share or adapt a story you enjoyed writing in the past related to one of these topics'.
Of course, you can develop a ‘members choice’ topic of your own if a story topic has been triggered recently, or you have something you’ve always wanted to write about.
Remember, if you have been busy or had writer’s block, you can always present a catch-up story you haven’t shared yet; or simply pass and enjoy the stories shared by others. Long-term members, it’s fine to share or adapt a story you enjoyed writing in the past related to one of these topics. For those who have written about one of these topics as part of an autobiography or other story collection, it’s fine to share this, tweaking the story to ‘fit’ the topic if necessary.
Bev
A number of stories have already been sent in, however here are the topic suggestions if you need a reminder:
New Members:
‘Failure’ ‘Write about a failure you’ve experienced – from the commonplace to the catastrophic – in 500 words’. (ABC Open April 2017) Resource: Some guidelines for writing a 500 word about 'Failure' (ABC Open Planning Sheet)
OR
‘Success!’ –‘turn the guidelines for approaching the Failure story on their head by writing about a treasured success you’ve experienced – from the commonplace to the (almost…) world shattering, or in your world at least!’
It is of course fine to 'pass', or to share a story from February’s topics ‘New in Town’ or ‘I Was There’. If you haven’t yet dipped your toes into the water with a first story, now could be the time. Remember, it is often helpful to read Tips for Writing Your 500 Words from ABC Open. Please don't feel constrained though - our aim is to enjoy writing; to further develop our own writing style and to share our writing with a positive and supportive audience.
Returning Members: Suggested topics - with the goal to write, as for beginners, to a 500-word limit.
‘Reflecting on Covid on the 5th anniversary’ It’s the fifth anniversary of the Co-vid shutdown on 20th March. A chance to reflect back on your memories and experiences then from the standpoint of time. A dip into our Newsletter and stories at the time might refresh your memories.
OR
‘Sisters’… It’s International Women’s Month in March, a time to focus on women’s lives and stories. Memoirs have been written about ‘Sisters’…for example, by Drusilla Modjeska. Write about some sisters in your family, whether your own, a parent’s, your children, your grandchildren, in a way which uncovers the strengths, the challenges, the joys of ‘sisterhood’…or perhaps a sister’s strength, creativity, perseverance, contributions.
Of course, it's fine for new and returning members to select from any of the suggested topics!
Some members may have a 'catch up' story to share, and for long-term members, it’s fine to share or adapt a story you enjoyed writing in the past related to one of these topics'.
Of course, you can develop a ‘members choice’ topic of your own if a story topic has been triggered recently, or you have something you’ve always wanted to write about.
Remember, if you have been busy or had writer’s block, you can always present a catch-up story you haven’t shared yet; or simply pass and enjoy the stories shared by others. Long-term members, it’s fine to share or adapt a story you enjoyed writing in the past related to one of these topics. For those who have written about one of these topics as part of an autobiography or other story collection, it’s fine to share this, tweaking the story to ‘fit’ the topic if necessary.
Bev
