Welcome to 2021

We’ve had our 2021 Annual General Meeting; it was good to see so many people there.

Following the elections we welcome a few new faces to our committee. The full list is at FAWSH Committee for 2021–2022 on the About us page.

Greg Tome has provided us with a new etymology challenge to be discussed at the April 2021 meeting. For this have a look at Etymology exercise.

And the other Greg, Greg Baker, has put his latest bugbear, the dangling modifier, here too.

There’ll be the continuation of some old favourites at our meeting in April but watch out for a couple of additions as we progress through the year.

Etymology and more

Greg Tome has provided us with new etymology challenges to be discussed at the March 2021 meeting.

These are on our Etymology exercise page.

In addition, he has kindly provided answers to the exercises discussed at the February 2021 meeting and a brand new crossword, number 26.

Finally, we have a copy of the chain story that our member Ruth Coleman has recommended, Wet and Wicked, written in 1999–2000 by members of the Sutherland Shire regional branch of the FAW. For copyright reasons it is only available to members of this branch through our Members only page.

New etymology exercise

Our etymology expert Greg T has produced another etymology exercise for you to mull over.

It will be discussed at the next meeting on Saturday 13 February 2021.

Etymology exercise to be discussed at the February 2021 meeting.

Poetry and chain story

We have now added to our Poetry page Deb Ritchie’s Thoughts on poetry and the final words of the chain story.

Deb’s notes are well worth reading particularly for those new to poetry.

The FAWSH chain story is now complete; we will begin a new one in 2021.

Poetry websites

Barbara McKendry has kindly provided us with a list of poetry web sites.

You can find them at Poetry websites.

Thanks Barbara.

Winter is with us already

With winter here there’s now no reason to go outside and many reasons to stay by the fire and read and write.

And there’s always an audience for what you have written among your fellow FAWSH members.

Prose you can send to join other members’ contributions at Prose from members.

Poetry? Try Poetry where you’ll be in great company.

For a bit of fun, read Writers’ fun or send your own from your reading or simply make it up!

GregT has been busy in the past few months bringing us a series of literary and etymological crosswords. Have a look at them at Etymology exercise. There are answers for all but the last if you get stumped.

Jean has suggested another prompt for a 100-word exercise. Have at look at the prompt and others’ entries at 100-word exercise.

We now have one brave soul who has offered a 250-word autobiography. Read that clever contribution at Our autobiographies. Yours could be there too!

We are still looking for the next instalment of our chain story. Eight members have contributed; read the story so far at FAWSH chain story. The challenge is there for the next instalment.

Started by GregB, our president, Grammar and other writing bugbears gives you the opportunity to rant about usage or modern grammar.

Finally, let us all know what you have loved or hated to read during lockdown. Contributions so far are at What have you been reading?

ANYONE WHO HAS IDEAS FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES WHILE WE ARE NOT MEETING SEND THEM IN!

SEND ANY CONTRIBUTIONS—WRITING OR SUGGESTIONS—TO UTA.

FINALLY, YOUR COMMITTEE IS WORKING ON RE-STARTING FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS WITH THE SECOND SATURDAY IN JULY—11 JULY. THIS WILL DEPEND ON THE LOCKDOWN RULES AT THAT TIME; ON WHERE WE CAN MEET TO PROPERLY SOCIALLY ISOLATE; ON THE HYGIENE FACILITIES WE WILL NEED TO PROVIDE; AND ON THE COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS OF THE VENUE. WATCH THIS SPACE AND ALSO EMAILS FROM UTA FOR MORE NEWS.

Mid May is upon us

We’ve now missed three meetings due to COVID-19 lockdowns and there is no obvious path to getting back to normal.

Until we do, there are still ways we can keep in touch.

Chain story
We are still looking for someone brave enough to take on the next instalment of our chain story. Six people so far have taken the challenge; read the story so far at FAWSH chain story.

Poetry
Some of our poets have submitted their work for us to see at Poetry.

Prose
In the absence of face to face prose meetings see members’ contributions at Prose from members.

Autobiography
No one, not even your president has been able (or game enough) to submit their 250-word autobiography. Craft your masterpiece and send it in for it to appear at Our autobiographies.

Writers’ fun
These contributions are from members who have come across things which would amuse writers in particular. Look at Writers’ fun.

Crosswords
Etymologist extraordinaire, GregT, has produced a number of etymological and literary crosswords. See them at Etymology exercise.

Grammar and other writing bugbears
Though started by GregB, our president, this is open to anyone who wants a rant about usage or modern grammar that has been bugging them. The first contribution is at Grammar and other writing bugbears.

100-word exercise
There are three possibilities here for people who have yet to contribute. See them all, and members’ efforts at 100-word exercise. We are looking, too, for new suggestions for topics—over to you!

What have you been reading?
We have all been reading (we hope) over the lockdown. Let us all know what you have loved or hated. Contributions so far are at What have you been reading?

ANYONE WHO HAS IDEAS FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES WHILE WE ARE NOT MEETING SEND THEM IN!

SEND ANY CONTRIBUTIONS—WRITING OR SUGGESTIONS—TO UTA.

Self editing and more

Ron has written some more useful tips for self editing our work—an essential activity during and after the writing process.

The latest tips and Ron’s previous ones are at Dots and dashes and suchlike things on the Members only page.

We also have

• poems from Gaylene, Michael and Pamela at Poetry,
• a story from Jean at Writers’ fun,
• new 100-word contributions from Ingrid, Uta and Greg B at 100-word exercise, and
• a fabulous new crossword from Greg T at Etymology exercise.

Remember that we are looking for our next volunteer for our chain story. Decima has added her contribution so it’s now over to you. Check out the story so far at FAWSH chain story

And our Success book is waiting more contributions from members.

New crossword

Courtesy Greg T. we have a new crossword.

It can be found via the Etymology exercise page.

Or, directly here:

Crossword grid

Clues

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For those who wish to check their answers for Greg’s late April crossword have a look at Crossword answers for late April.

And as a reminder, the crossword grid and clues for the late April crossword are at Crossword for late April.

The latest from FAWSH

A lot has happened since our last post.

POETRY
We now have several more poems added to our poetry page.

Check them out at Poetry.

100-WORD EXERCISE
We have had more entries to Nellie’s exercise to write exactly 100 words on the phrase ‘… alone doesn’t have to mean lonely …’.

They are at 100-word exercise.

In addition, our new 100-word exercise is from Pamela who suggests the topic or phrase ‘… don’t waste words …’.

Send your entries to Uta.

WRITERS’ FUN
This section is growing, with two submissions from President Greg.

They are at Writers’ fun.

FAWSH CHAIN STORY
Following Kathryn’s entry we are looking again for volunteers to progress the story.

Read the story so far at FAWSH chain story.

Uta is waiting for our next volunteer.

PROSE
Our prose section has grown with a strong entry from Kathryn.

It and others are at Prose from members.

MEMBERSHIP FOR 2020
If you haven’t paid your membership for 2020 because we haven’t been meeting face to face have a look at FAW membership 2020. It will tell you how to rejoin in a time of isolation.

Remember to send all suggestions, submissions and offers to Uta.

And if you have successes to add to our Success book send them soon to Uta; they will be included in the next edition of Writers’ Voice.