The September meeting This month’s warm-up exercise was a short critiquing practice. Everyone teamed up to read three short pieces and give constructive, specific feedback. There was a surprising degree of consensus about what worked well and what could be improved. We also decided that it would be useful to have the opportunity to re-write the prompt pieces at a future writing session – duly noted! You can read the pieces we looked at and decide what you think. What would

1 October: Hektoen Essay Contest Open to writers 18 years and older, essays 500-1,600 words, theme: ‘Hospitals of Note: focussing on the history of a particular hospital’. Entry: FREE. Prizes: $5,000 $2,500 (USD). 9 October: Silver Quill Written Competition Open to all, poetry, no size limit, and theme: ‘have a very good rhyme and meter/rhythm and be original with an Australian theme’. Entry: Adults $10, Junior FREE. Categories are: Serious, Humorous, Novice, and Junior. Pr