WOWO 25 February 2021

The every popular MUG OF THE MONTH Competition is upon us once again. A spectacular line-up of entries, using the keywords TRACK and TRAIN, have been prepared for your entertainment.

Isn’t it amazing how two little words can spark the imagination? From these common keywords, a myriad of ideas have inspired our members once again to write about a diversity of topics.

Using the latest electronic voting technology, every Write-on member will be allowed ONE VOTE. (Of course, one is not allowed to vote for one’s own entry!) There are ten entries in total for the February competition. The holder of the trophy, ‘MUGSY’, is not allowed to win it two months in a row, so Mary Rose, with great reluctance will sit this one out and arrange to make a virtual presentation of the prized vessel to the February winner. Here is the a list of the entries:

MOTM 01 The Garden in Snow by Jutta Rosen

MOTM 02 Free Way by Nollaig O’Donnell

MOTM 03 Healing by Mary Faherty

MOTM 04 Twin Tracks by Jack Ryan

MOTM 05 Puncture by Anne Murray

MOTM 06 Space by Elizabeth Hannon

MOTM 07 Train on Track by Richard O’Donnell

MOTM 08 That Day by Anne McManus

MOTM 09 The Challenge by Geraldine Renton

MOTM 10 The Craic by James Keogh

After the excitement of Mug of the Month, we hope to have time for more poems, short stories, memories, or extracts from novels.

Here are some of the items you can expect:

POEM: Night Cry by James Keogh

POEM: Djouce by Thomas MacMahon

POEM: Special Daddy by Geraldine Renton

Short Story: The Birthday Present by Anne McManus

Short Story: My First Book by Frank Fahy

If time permits, we may get our first glimpse of the cover of Anne McManus’ new book THE SHORT STORY COLLECTION (working title). Yes. The deadline is fast approaching. Anne’s NEW BOOK will be published in early March 2021. This will be the SEVENTH Write-on Publication since we were founded in 2017.

Members can avail of a very special offer of all SIX previous publications for €30.00 (Publisher’s discount) including post and packaging, delivered straight to your door. To see a list of the titles and view the covers of these books, check under the heading PUBLICATIONS on this website.

Any of our members who have already availed of the discounted books, please write a short testimonial or review about your experience of getting the books delivered and I will post it here next week.

Please note that we have a new ZOOM reference number starting tonight. The number has been emailed to everyone and it is also on our WhatsApp Write-on Group Chat. This number will be in use for the coming weeks so it would be a good idea to store it in a safe place for easy reference every week.

Looking forward to meeting everyone tonight for what will be a pleasant and entertaining session! Good luck to all the Mugsy Contestants! May the best Mug win!

WOWO 18 February 2021

After last week’s exhilarating debut by Jessica Brady, we are delighted to announce that Geraldine Renton will be highlighted this week. Geri, as we affectionately name her (to avoid mixing her up with our other Geraldine!) will present SHE – a very powerful contemporary poem.

Switching genres, she also takes a humorous look at the battle to lay down the ground rules for a recalcitrant canine in her piece entitled DOGGY STANDOFF. We look forward to these two pieces with the promise of many more to come in future sessions.

Once again, a huge debt of gratitude to Anne Murray who works away behind the scenes to help produce our wonderful videos.

This week, we have an abundance of new material. Thank you to our regular contributors and for the other members who write less frequently – you are the engine that keeps the Write-on vehicle motoring every week! If you haven’t written anything in recent weeks, now is the time to start. As you can see from the variety of topics listed below, the world is your oyster when it comes to things to write about. Settle on a topic and let’s see your name on the Menu for WOWO next week!

Here’s What’s On Write-on (WOWO) this week!

POEM: She by Geraldine Renton

POEM: Split Mind by Mary Faherty

POEM: Power by James Keogh

POEM: A Lover’s Day by Thomas MacMahon

POEM: A Lenten Journey by Nollaig O’Donnel

POEM: Cartoon Grandad by Frank Fahy

STORY: Doggy Standoff by Geraldine Renton

STORY: Bridie’s Weather Eye (Part 2) by Anne McManus

BALLAD: A presentation by Frank Fahy of THE CREMATION OF SAM MCGEE – Robert Service

BOOK COVER: A discussion about the Draft Cover for the new book GREEN, WHITE & GREY – herbs, science and outcome in Medicine by Dr Dilis Clare and Tim Morrissey.

WOWO 11 February 2021

Following the wonderful debut short story by Jutta Rosen last week, we have a debutante poet this week. Jessica Brady will be unveiling her very topical poem Our New Reality. It is really wonderful to welcome all of our new members; they bring with them their own experiences of life and they help to revitalise the group with fresh ideas and approaches. Welcome to one and all!

What an exciting line-up we have for you starting at 7:00pm on Thursday 11 February. Of course, some of our authors have remembered that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. There is a hint of romance in the air!

Here is a flavour of some of the items:

POEM: Our New Reality by Jessica Brady

SHORT STORY: St Valentine’s Day Card by Nollaig O’Donnell

POEM: Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses by Thomas MacMahon

POEM: Dress Rehearsal by Mary Faherty

POEM: Hidden Hunger by James Keogh

SHORT STORY: Bridie Goes to Town by Anne McManus

NEW FEATURE: Guess the Celebrity! An interactive writing game to aid Character Descriptions

FIVE MINUTES: An interactive tutorial by Frank Fahy on how to write a complete short story encapsulated into the fewest possible words. Following on from the question: HOW LONG SHOULD A SHORT STORY BE? Frank will demonstrate with words and music, how a complete life history can be revealed without going into unnecessary detail.

NEW FEATURE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS! involving all of the members in an interactive response to the videos on display. Another method of encouraging writing accurately and succinctly.

Plus lots, lots more. Don’t miss this socially distant gathering where anything is liable to happen … AND IT USUALLY DOES!

WOWO 4 February 2021

A new month! It’s February already! Where did January disappear to? Write-on continues with all kinds of writing and with new members! We are delighted to welcome the new members and we hope that you will settle in and enjoy writing with us.

One of our most recent members, Jutta Rosen, has put pen to paper and produced her first work of fiction. It is a short story called ANNIVERSARY. And what a wonderful debut it is. I hope you will all get a chance to see and hear Jutta reading her work on Thursday 7:00pm-9:00pm.

Here’s What’s On Write-on (WOWO) this week:

Story: Anniversary by Jutta Rosen

Poem: Diddle-Dee-Da by James Keogh

Poem: The Two by Ciara Keogh

Poem: Carpe Diem by Thomas MacMahon

Poem: Falling Apart by Anne McManus

Poem: Target by Mary Faherty

Poem: St Bridget by Nollaig O’Donnell

If time permits we will reprise the works from last week as we rushed through a bit due to our guest speaker.

POEM: Lavender Linoleum by Mary Faherty

POEM: Tuam by James Keogh

POEM: Catastray by Nollaig O’Donnell

POEM: Village Blacksmith by James Keogh

POEMFertility by Thomas MacMahon

STORY: The Horse Whisperer by Geraldine Warren

… plus much, much more.

Looking forward to meeting everyone at 7:00pm on Thursday.