Hamilton Writers

2011-12-16T15:29:00.000-05:00

Unofficial NaNoWriMo Write-In - Nov 8th

2011-10-27T23:55:00.004-04:00

Who: Anyone participating in National Novel Writing Month 2011

What: an “Unofficial” NaNoWriMo Write-In

When: Tuesday November 8th at 6:30pm

Where: Chesters - Beers of the World at 60 King St. E. (look for us in the back)

Why: Get your word count up! Get motivated!

How: Bring laptops, notebooks, whatever you want to use to write with. Set word-count goals; participate in word-wars, spend this time writing, writing, writing!

Hope to see you there!

If you’re a member of Hamilton Writers and are participating in NaNoWriMo this year, let me know so I can include your name on this site.

Unofficial NaNoWriMo Write-In - Nov 8th

2011-10-27T15:28:00.000-04:00

18th Annual Hamilton Literary Awards

2011-10-26T16:07:00.000-04:00

The HAMILTON ARTS COUNCIL announces the 18TH ANNUAL HAMILTON LITERARY AWARDS!

WHEN: Monday, November 14th, 2011
WHERE: Theatre Aquarius’ Dofasco Centre for the Arts (the Ron and Donna Patterson Lobby)
190 King William St. West, Hamilton, ON

Reception at 6:30 PM
Awards Ceremony at 7:30 PM
Admission is PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN @ Box Office of Theatre Aquarius

This event celebrates the accomplishments of Hamilton-based writers with awards given in the following categories: Individual Poem, Fiction Book, Non-Fiction Book, Poetry Book and Children’s & Young Adult Fiction Book. Mark the date on your calendar and please RSVP to development@artshamilton.ca or phone (905) 481-3218 and let us know if you will be attending the event.

The nominees are:

FICTION - Book
Trevor Cole for “Practical Jean”
Ed Woods for “Survival” and “The Casino Shuttle”
James King for “Etienne’s Alphabet”

NON-FICTION - Book
David Laing Dawson for “The Adolescent Owners Manual”
Peter Edwards for “The Bandido Massacre”
David Collier for “CHIMO”
Linda Joyce Ott for “Auto Parts”

POETRY - Book
James Deahl for “Opening the Stone Heart”
Gary Barwin for “The Porcupinity of the Stars”
Jeff Seffinga for “All We Like Cats”
R.W. Megens for “The Infinite Ache”
Ed Woods for “Word Crafter Haiku” & “Word Crafter Poems”

YOUNG ADULT/CHILDRENS - Book
Sylvia McNicoll for “Last Chance For Paris”
Deborah Sherman for “The Triple Chocolate Brownie Genious”
Ron Dennis for “Adventures in Shroomville”

POETRY - Individual Poem
David Haskins for “Urban Fox” & “Disposition”
Jeff Seffinga for “Ten Minutes, With Chickadees”,
“My Cat Plays The Mandolin” & “Rose Garden”
Ed Woods for “Hookers”, “Open Door” & “Awake”

http://artshamilton.ca/recent.html

18th Annual Hamilton Literary Awards

2011-10-26T15:24:00.000-04:00

I don't belong here

2011-10-12T15:21:00.001-04:00

Jordan Newman

Why I think it’ll end differently if she can hear
me sing these words I lay to death upon paper,
I have no clue. But in her ear canal I hope for
a home to be found, for these syllable’s
aren’t like all else I’ve ever been able
to do, be wasted beyond doubt; yet for
why I want to wake beside her one more
time before death takes me back to the
realm where we go before and after
our time here, I will never accurately know.
It’s not like that summer fling we were
to share was anything worthy of Roseau’s
theory of romantic genius; or even Poe’s
tragic prose’s could bring to our summer’s
paradise anything other than what it was
to be. We experienced with each other
what ever kind of poison we could land our
hands on. Her moaning wasn’t exactly
a psalm for choirs to hum, but what do I know?
Except her skin was soft and smooth to
the touch. The way her voice crackled and how
she was always grumpy in the morning, ain’t be
an worthy of influencing a poem by even the
most down-and-out poet, let alone an anthology.
Why then is it her that is my muse? Her smile
is far from unique, quite contrary, boarders
on ordinary- so then does most of her beauty.
But it’s just the way she only allows the joy-
fullness of life touch her gentle soul. The way
in which I alone seem to see in her pupil’s,
the heavy loss of time she is meant to share.
So then I should count my lucky stars
that I was one of the men who was picked by her
to spend a summer’s season, let alone, simply
a one night stand. But even if that’s what she
desired from me, it was out of her control,
a deity destined us to have a long standing history.
But I can recall, through the vague haze of memory,
that it wasn’t all beautiful. That if a yellow
car hadn’t chaperoned us to the beach that day
in June or July, would we have ended up together?
I could spend an eternity trying to decipher
the truth behind the spell of which the elixir
of her life’s essence has over me and still be
no closer to the answer, so why do I bother?
I just need to know why it never ended the
way she said, swore, vowed, it would be.
Instead of a record for my birthday, like she
swore she’d go and get me, I received a surprise
like no other! Didn’t see it coming, instead of a
musical gift, it was the termination of our
romantic contract. So now then I am to always be
a vain example of a boy who longs to become, for her,
a man she’d maybe decide would be worthy to share
her life with; and to grow old beside, because it’s rare,
this time we our given on earth, she said. So then I need to be
true to her and show with time that absence grows makes the
heart grow fonder. If this has any truth, then she misses me
like the coast line misses the tide, & the moon, the light of day.

Sexy Spelling Song

2011-05-24T15:18:00.005-04:00

2011-05-12T15:16:00.000-04:00

The Tiny Violin That Went Canoeing

2011-05-12T00:49:00.000-04:00

(this poem is the result of the writing exercise from last night’s meeting)

an escape from proper society and
appropriate conversation she
drifted deeper into that good quiet
nurturing wind in bow - and just
row. and whetted fret and
weathered mahogany skin. alone again.
a broken string pings the current
drifts, leaves behind, artificial sound
human crafted genius is still only
a notion in the scheme of river, wood,
sun, stone, and wind.
she bides her time listening - the
symphony that has been orchestrating this
piece, this song of duality, always.
she will rot well before the curtains close.

M. Houle

About HW

2010-10-11T15:33:00.001-04:00

Hamilton Writers is a resource for literary individuals in the Hamilton, ON area: writers, poets, journalists, editors, publishers, essayists, and all others involved in the literary arts(any and all genres) are encouraged to participate.

Our members range from new to well-published. This group is not the place for writers to show off their list of published works - published or not, we are all writers. We're here to learn from each other and get the benefits that come from being involved in a writer's group.

We want writers to have a place to go to be with their 'own kind' for some light-hearted, laid-back fun; to workshop, discuss, network; to make like-minded friends; and to promote the growth of whichever personal project or goal they choose, whether it be a fun hobby or the pursuit of publication.

Most people find they feel re-inspired and rejuvenated after meetings, giving new energy and motivation to continue on with seemingly stale projects.

We want always to encourage cultural growth in our often over-looked city of arts.

Hopefully, the writers of Hamilton will continue to come out of the wood-works and establish themselves in Hamilton's literary scene.

This is the goal of Hamilton Writers - to help promote, aid, and establish our literary artists.

Thank you for your interest in Hamilton Writers.

Regards,

Marylin Houle,
writer, poet, and founder of Hamilton Writers

HW Meeting - Nov 3/09

2009-11-04T15:57:00.000-05:00

Another good meeting last night included a new, very enthusiastic member!

Not so much beer talk this time, but a pretty interesting dialogue about the popularity of vampire novels and similar supernatural niches - is there really anything original left or are we just beating a dead horse?

Riley got us going with a riddle of sorts - part of a story that is meant to provoke thoughts about who is really morally responsible for what happens to the MC. With no right answer, this made for an interesting debate. The answer that seemed to be the right one turned out to be the least obvious.

Some important questions about copyright, self vs vanity publishing, the need for literary agents, and quite a few other interesting topics were discussed: Do we need to get our work professionally copyright protected before sending it out to agents and publishers? How can you tell if a publisher is going to rip you off? Are vanity publishers baloney?

The writing exercise of the night was a mini word war, courtesy of NaNoWriMo. Many of our members are participating this year, myself included, so I thought it would be fun and productive. A little friendly competition to see who could write the most in ten minutes. The two winners tied at 304 words each ,and I was reminded of why I prefer typing rather than hand-writing - more word output as well as less arthritis pain!

Other than that, we had more talk about the anthology/mosaic project and are trying to come up with a brilliant idea for that ;o) A few people brought stuff to share (I was certainly impressed) and we all left feeling at least slightly more enthusiastic about the next three weeks at our keyboards.

Come out and join us on November 24th, and until then, don't forget that contractions only count as one word ;o)

NaNoWriMo 2009

2009-10-26T19:34:00.001-04:00

National Novel Writing Month is just around the corner - only five days left! Do you know where your main characters are?

If you've never heard of NaNoWriMo (living under a rock?), it's a friendly novel writing competition - but the catch is, you only have thirty days to write it.

Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.

If you make it to 50,000 words or more by deadline, you win. The prize? Having 50,000 words or more under your belt, and bragging rights.

You still have time to sign up so stop making excuses and get 'er done mister!

Any members participating, please let me know - we can form a team, track our collective word count, all that camaraderie. I just decided to participate last week, so don't think it's too late in the game.

See you all on November 3rd.

P.S. It's supposed to be fun!

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/533398

HW Meeting - Oct 13/09

2009-10-15T14:55:00.000-04:00

Six members plus myself came out this Tuesday for the meeting, including Aha Blume - the Hamilton branch manager of The Ontario Poetry Society.

Dave brought his Alphasmart so we could see it in action - it is now at the top of my wish list! The perfect solution to the problem of internet distraction.

He and Aha shared some of their latest work with the group - and Ed gave us a peek at his newly published collection.

The usual banter ensued, along with some discussion of National Novel Writing Month, which is coming in November as well as the CBC Literary Awards.

We had some brainstorming about a Hamilton Writers anthology type project and how that might work with all members being different types of writers (some fiction, some poetry, some essay, some all over the place).

For a writing exercise, we used last month's Writer's Digest prompt, which was: A woman is given the ability to go back in time and change one event in her life. I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack for saying that all the results that were shared afterward were much more enjoyable than 'The Time Traveler's Wife.'

Next meeting, Riley promises to bring us some kind of mysterious exercise - some sort of riddle - looking forward to that.

Other than that, we have this new blog and a new logo is in the works because I think, after seven years, Hamilton Writers should have one.

Great meeting as usual, I hope to see you on November 3rd!