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Next Meeting: Thursday, 19 February, at 6:30 p.m.

at the Tustin Marketplace Corner Bakery (13652 Jamboree Road, Irvine)

10 Sep meeting notes; 17 Sep reading list

September 14, 2015
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10 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Ava, Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, Jo (read a chapter from Moonspell), Lisa W., Marianna (read a chapter from Red Snow, Gold Clouds), Rosie and Shari.

News and Notes

Our fall/winter craft-related study book is How Not to Write a Novel, by Howard Mittelmark & Sandra Newman. We’ll discuss this book over five months, as follows:

  • 1 Oct: Part I – Rosie moderating
  • 29 Oct: Part II – Maddie & Burt moderating
  • 3 Dec: Part III – Glenda moderating
  • 7 Jan: Part IV – open
  • 4 Feb: Parts V & VI – open

Inspired by his stint at LIT UP!, Jared Kuritz has extended to PFL members and LIT UP! followers a discount off the registration for the La Jolla Writer’s Conference, 6-8 November. The registration special is here; Maddie has the password.

The next LIT UP! will take place on 22 September at Kean Coffee. Look to the event post for details.
17 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

Maddie (9/3)
Glenda (9/10)
Rosie (9/10)
Burt (9/10)
Lance (9/3)
Mark H. (9/3)
Casey (9/10)
Donna (9/10)
Shari (9/10)
JoAnne (9/3)
Lisa W. (9/10)
Jo (9/10)
Marianna (9/10)
Ava (9/10)

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3 Sep meeting notes; 10 Sep reading list

September 4, 2015
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3 SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

Thirteen people attended (and seven brought readings!): Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, Jo (read a chapter from Moonspell), JoAnne (read her short story, “The Loss of Another Young Girl”), Lance, Lisa W. (read the opening of her novel/novella The Shinies), Maddie, Marianna, Mark H., Rosie and Shari.

News and Notes

Our fall/winter craft-related study book is How Not to Write a Novel, by Howard Mittelmark & Sandra Newman. We’ll discuss this book over five months, as follows:

  • 1 Oct: Part I – Rosie moderating
  • 29 Oct: Part II – Maddie & Burt moderating
  • 3 Dec: Part III – Glenda moderating
  • 7 Jan: Part IV – open
  • 4 Feb: Parts V & VI – open

Inspired by his stint at LIT UP!, Jared Kuritz has extended to PFL members and LIT UP! followers a discount off the registration for the La Jolla Writer’s Conference, 6-8 November. The registration special is here; Maddie has the password.

The next LIT UP! will take place on 22 Sep at Kean Coffee. Look for the event post.
10 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

Maddie (9/3)
Glenda (9/3)
Rosie (9/3)
Burt (9/3)
Lance (9/3)
Mark H. (9/3)
Casey (9/3)
Marianna (9/3)
Donna (9/3)
Shari (9/3)
JoAnne (9/3)
Lisa W. (9/3)
Jo (9/3)
John M. (7/23)

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27 Aug meeting notes; 3 Sep reading list

August 29, 2015
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27 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

That’s more like it: twelve people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly), Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Glenda, Jo, JoAnne, Lance, Lisa W., Maddie, Marianna (read a chapter from Red Snow, Gold Clouds), Mark H. (returning after a two-month odyssey through Europe) and Rosie.

News and Notes

We voted for the craft-related book we’ll read through the fall. The winner: How Not to Write a Novel, by Howard Mittelmark & Sandra Newman. It’s available in both print and ebook form from a variety of outlets. Please do whatever you must to buy a copy. During the 3 September meeting, we’ll carve up the book into monthly readings and appoint the moderator for the first discussion, which will probaby happen on 1 October.

Inspired by his stint at LIT UP!, Jared Kuritz has extended to PFL members and LIT UP! followers a discount off the registration for the La Jolla Writer’s Conference, 6-8 November. The registration special is here; Maddie has the password.
3 SEPTEMBER READING LIST

Maddie (8/27)
JoAnne (8/27)
Glenda (8/27)
Lisa W. (8/27)
Rosie (8/27)
Jo (8/27)
Burt (8/27)
Lance (8/27)
Mark H. (8/27)
Casey (8/27)
Marianna (8/27)
Donna (8/27)
Steve J. (6/18)
Shari (7/9)
John M. (7/23)

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20 Aug meeting notes; 27 Aug reading list

August 24, 2015
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20 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Eight people attended an abbreviated meeting: Burt, Casey, Glenda, Lance (read two chapters from the Fake reboot), Lisa W., Maddie, Rosie, and potential new member Ava, a writer of short stories and memoir who’s new to Orange County.

News and Notes

The 18 August LIT UP! drew in 18-19 people to listen to YA romance writer Jessi Kirby and NYT bestselling paranormal-romance author Susan Squires. Congratulations again to Maddie, who once again herded the cats into another successful event!

We’ll try this again: next meeting (27 Aug), we’ll vote for which writing-related book we’ll start reading in September. Nominated books:

If you have personal experience with any of these, please share it with us so we can make a more informed decision. Please follow the above links to the Amazon product pages, look at the book descriptions, do the “Look Inside” if it’s available, and come ready to decide on a book on the 20th.
27 AUGUST READING LIST

Shari (7/9)
Maddie (8/20)
JoAnne (8/13)
John M. (7/23)
Glenda (8/20)
Casey (8/20)
Marianna (8/13)
Donna (8/6)
Lisa W. (8/20)
Rosie (8/20)
Jo (8/13)
Burt (8/20)
Lance (8/20)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)

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13 Aug meeting notes; 20 Aug reading list

August 14, 2015
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13 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Burt (read two chapters from It All Ends on 101, formerly Murder on the 101), Casey, Glenda, Jo (read a chapter from Moonspell), JoAnne, Lance, Lisa W., Maddie, Marianna and Rosie (read two revised chapters from On Thin Ice).

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! is happening on 18 August at Kean Coffee in Tustin. It will feature YA romance writer Jessi Kirby and NYT bestselling paranormal-romance author Susan Squires. Find more details on the LIT UP! Facebook page.

Next meeting (20 Aug), we’ll be voting for which writing-related book we’ll start reading in September. Nominated books:

If you have personal experience with any of these, please share it with us so we can make a more informed decision. Please follow the above links to the Amazon product pages, look at the book descriptions, do the “Look Inside” if it’s available, and come ready to decide on a book on the 20th.
20 AUGUST READING LIST

Shari (7/9)
Maddie (8/13)
JoAnne (8/13)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
John M. (7/23)
Glenda (8/13)
Casey (8/13)
Marianna (8/13)
Donna (8/6)
Lance (8/13)
Lisa W. (8/13)
Rosie (8/13)
Jo (8/13)
Burt (8/13)

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6 Aug meeting notes; 13 Aug reading list

August 7, 2015
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6 AUGUST MEETING NOTES

In a great improvement over last week, nine people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Jo, Lance (read a chapter from the Fake reboot), Lisa W. (back from a one-year-plus sabbatical), Marianna (read a chapter from Red Snow, Gold Clouds, plus a query and synopsis), Rosie, and Rosie’s guest Wendy V., a writer of steampunk and Regency romance (though not at the same time).

News and Notes

We once again discussed reading a writing-related book starting in September. When we did this in the past, we’d pick a book and set aside one reading slot (50 minutes) per month to discuss a certain number of chapters; discussion leadership circulates among members. The list of the last few books we read is available here. Qualifications:

  • The book is widely available online or in bookstores;
  • The author is/was a working writer who wrote things other than books about writing;
  • The subject should be applicable to a wide range of genres; and,
  • The book should be practical rather than theoretical.

Books nominated so far:

The next LIT UP! will be held on 18 August at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Find more details on the LIT UP! Facebook page.
13 AUGUST READING LIST

Rosie (8/6)
Shari (7/9)
Maddie (7/23)
JoAnne (7/23)
Jo (8/6)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
Burt (8/6)
John M. (7/23)
Glenda (7/16)
Casey (8/6)
Marianna (8/6)
Donna (8/6)
Lance (8/6)
Lisa W. (8/6)

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30 Jul meeting notes; 6 August reading list

July 30, 2015
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30 JULY MEETING NOTES

Only three people showed up, so we cancelled the meeting. The reading list is unchanged.

Please check last week’s meeting notes for details about the upcoming craft-related reading.
6 AUG READING LIST

Rosie (7/23)
Shari (7/9)
Maddie (7/23)
JoAnne (7/23)
Jo (7/16)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
Burt (7/23)
Marianna (7/9)
John M. (7/23)
Glenda (7/16)
Casey (7/23)
Donna (7/23)
Lance (7/23)

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23 July meeting notes; 30 July reading list

July 27, 2015
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23 JULY MEETING NOTES

Eight people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly), Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), JoAnne, John M., Lance (read two chapters from the Fake reboot), Maddie and Rosie.

News and Notes

We once again discussed the idea of reading a writing-related book, and the assembled members agreed it was a good idea. When we did this in the past, we’d pick a book and set aside one reading slot (50 minutes) per month to discuss a certain number of chapters; discussion leadership circulates among members. We’ll take nominations for books over the next two meetings, then select the one we’ll begin discussing in September. The list of the last few books we read is available here. Qualifications:

  • The book is widely available online or in bookstores;
  • The author is/was a working writer who wrote things other than books about writing;
  • The subject should be applicable to a wide range of genres; and,
  • The book should be practical rather than theoretical.

Books nominated so far:

The 21 July LIT UP! was a success, drawing eighteen audience members to an otherwise empty Kean Coffee. Debra Marshall, Christopher Noxon, and PFL’s own Steve Jackson shared excerpts from their latest works. The next LIT UP! will be held on 18 August at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Find more details on the LIT UP! Facebook page.

30 JULY READING LIST

Rosie (7/23)
Shari (7/9)
Maddie (7/23)
JoAnne (7/23)
Jo (7/16)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
Burt (7/23)
Marianna (7/9)
John M. (7/23)
Glenda (7/16)
Casey (7/23)
Donna (7/23)
Lance (7/23)

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16 July meeting notes; 23 July reading list

July 17, 2015
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16 JULY MEETING NOTES

Nine people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna (read a chapter from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Glenda, Jo, John M., Lance (read a chapter from the Fake reboot), Maddie and Rosie.

News and Notes

Burt suggested that we revive the practice of reading discussing a writing-related book; it helped develop members’ craft and often improved the quality of our critiques. When we did this in the past, we’d pick a book and set aside one reading slot (50 minutes) per month to discuss a certain number of chapters; discussion leadership would circulate among members. The list of the last few books we read is available here. Donna suggested we could also read writing-related articles, which could cut down on the time commitment. Please think about this and come to the next meeting prepared to discuss whether we should do this again.

The next LIT UP! will be held on 21 July at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Find more details in the event post, and check the LIT UP! Facebook page for the latest information.
23 JULY READING LIST

Rosie (7/16)
Shari (7/9)
Maddie (7/16)
JoAnne (6/25)
Jo (7/16)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
Burt (7/16)
Casey (7/16)
Marianna (7/9)
John M. (7/16)
Glenda (7/16)
Donna (7/16)
Lance (7/16)
Jonathan (6/4)

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9 July meeting notes; 16 July reading list

July 10, 2015
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9 JULY MEETING NOTES

Once again, eight people attended: Burt, Casey, Glenda (read part two of a revised short story, “The Ancestor Train”), John M. (read the first chapter of Big Daddy), Lance (read two chapters from the Fake reboot), Marianna, Rosie and Shari.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be held on 21 July at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Find more details in the event post, and check the LIT UP! Facebook page for the latest information.
16 JULY READING LIST

Rosie (7/9)
Shari (7/9)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (7/2)
JoAnne (6/25)
Jo (6/25)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
Burt (7/9)
Casey (7/9)
Donna (6/25)
Marianna (7/9)
John M. (7/9)
Glenda (7/9)
Lance (7/9)

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2 July meeting notes; 9 July reading list

July 5, 2015
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2 JULY MEETING NOTES

A cozy group of eight attended: Burt, Casey, Glenda (read part one of a revised short story, “The Ancestor Train”), John M., Lance (read a chapter from the Fake reboot), Maddie, Marianna (read a chapter from Red Snow, Gold Cloud) and Shari.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be held on 21 July at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Watch for the upcoming event post here, and check the LIT UP! Facebook page for more information. You can download posters here (1-up and 2-up).

9 JULY READING LIST

Rosie (6/18)
Shari (7/2)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (7/2)
JoAnne (6/25)
Jo (6/25)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
John M. (7/2)
Burt (7/2)
Casey (7/2)
Donna (6/25)
Glenda (7/2)
Lance (7/2)
Marianna (7/2)

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25 June meeting notes; 2 July reading list

June 27, 2015
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25 JUNE MEETING NOTES

Eleven people attended: Burt (read the first three chapters of Murder on the 101, the sequel to Dead Listing), Casey (read a chapter from The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly), Donna (read two chapters of Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Glenda, Jo, JoAnne, John M., Lance, Maddie, Mark H. and Shari.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! will be held on 21 July at Kean Coffee in Tustin. Watch for the upcoming event post here, and check the LIT UP! Facebook page for more information.
2 JULY READING LIST

Rosie (6/18)
Glenda (6/25)
Shari (6/25)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (6/25)
JoAnne (6/25)
Jo (6/25)
Lance (6/25)
Marianna (6/18)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/25)
John M. (6/25)
Burt (6/25)
Casey (6/25)
Donna (6/25)
Stace (4/30)
Kari (4/23)

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18 June meeting notes; 25 June reading list

June 25, 2015
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18 JUNE MEETING NOTES

Thirteen people attended: Burt, Casey, Donna, Glenda, JoAnne, John M., Maddie, Marianna (read from Red Snow, Gold Clouds), Mark H. (read from The Twelve Labors of Hercules Doe), Rosie, Shari and Steve J. (read from The Lust Gambit). Marianna’s brother Leo returned to observe but didn’t participate.

News and Notes

The 23 June LIT UP! was once again a success! Check the LIT UP! Facebook page for more information.
25 JUNE READING LIST

Rosie (6/18)
Kari (4/23)
Glenda (6/18)
Burt (6/18)
Shari (6/18)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (6/18)
Casey (6/18)
Donna (6/18)
JoAnne (6/18)
Jo (6/11)
Lance (6/11)
Marianna (6/18)
Steve J. (6/18)
Mark H. (6/18)
John M. (6/18)
Stace (4/30)

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11 June meeting notes; 18 June reading list

June 12, 2015
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11 JUNE MEETING NOTES

Ten people attended: Burt, Casey, Glenda, JoAnne (read a short story, “Thy Will Be Done…or, Some Rendition”), Jo (read a chapter from Moonspell), Lance (read two chapters from the Fake reboot), Marianna, Rosie, and Steve J. Marianna’s brother Leo observed but didn’t participate.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! is scheduled for 23 June. Watch the LIT UP! Facebook page for more information.

18 JUNE READING LIST

Rosie (6/11)
Kari (4/23)
Glenda (6/11)
Burt (6/11)
Shari (5/28)
Marianna (6/11)
Steve J. (6/11)
Mark H. (6/4)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (6/4)
Casey (6/11)
Donna (6/4)
JoAnne (6/11)
Jo (6/11)
Lance (6/11)
Stace (4/30)

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4 June meeting notes; 11 June reading list

June 7, 2015
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4 JUNE MEETING NOTES

Twelve people attended: Burt, Casey (read a chapter from The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly), Donna (read two chapters from Running with Hounds…and an English Degree), Glenda, JoAnne, Jonathan (special guest appearance before he heads off to NC), Lance, Maddie (read a chapter from Earth Angel), Marianna, Mark H., Rosie, and potential new member John M.

News and Notes

The next LIT UP! is scheduled for 23 June. Watch the LIT UP! Facebook page for more information.
11 JUNE READING LIST

JoAnne (6/4)
Stace (4/30)
Rosie (6/4)
Kari (4/23)
Glenda (6/4)
Burt (6/4)
Jo (5/28)
Lance (6/4)
Shari (5/28)
Marianna (6/4)
Steve J. (5/28)
Mark H. (6/4)
Jonathan (6/4)
Maddie (6/4)
Casey (6/4)
Donna (6/4)

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