Review of the Meeting of 5th May 2026 by Piers Rowlandson.
Nine members were present and Lesley Pardoe was in the chair.
Apologies from Johnathan and Neill.
The meeting was slow to get going, so while we waited, Lesley and Janet discussed the merits of the MA in Creative Writing that Chichester offers. Johnathan and Christian are taking it at present. It involves a lot of work! Plenty of writing, which is then critiqued in a most helpful way and in great detail. We went on to discuss viewpoint.
Sharon reminded us that there is a Summer Market in Midhurst on 1st August and a Street Party on 29th August. This is a chance for CWC members to sell their books. A stall costs £15 or £25, depending on whether it is inside or outside.
Barbara asked if anyone was interested in visiting the Cathedral Library, going backstage at CFT or hearing from the owner of the Christian Book Shop. No decision was made.
Lesley led a lively discussion about names. Names have meaning and associations for the reader and it is as well to bear this in mind when choosing a name. David Lodge has a chapter on choosing names in The Art of Fiction. Names come and go in terms of what's fashionable. If one is writing a story set in Wales, Lesley suggested a range of names and if the story is set in Mediaeval times, there are some wonderful names to choose from. In China and indeed in England, it was a census of the people that provided an impetus to the use of family and clan names. Doomsday Book is an example. Later trades gave rise to family names like Gardener or Butcher. Avoid names like Annette Curtin or Justin Time!
I have added Lesley's notes to the Chat Room.