First writers' small group in Moresby a great success

BOB CLELAND

LAST SATURDAY, under the auspices of the PNG Society of Writers, Editors and Publishers (SWEP), I introduced an idea to a bunch of Port Moresby writers.

Basically it was this: small groups of writers meet regularly to individually read short examples of their own writing to the group. Then the group, in rotation, offers suggestions, corrections or comments on the piece.

This is a common modus operandi of many writers’ groups throughout Australia and it’s a concept I thought might work well in Papua New Guinea.

Traditionally, both in PNG and elsewhere, it is common to discuss matters in small groups which tend to be very self-disciplined and thus achieve results.

My Scottish ancestors no doubt got together with just the fight leaders and strategists to plan how best to clobber the English on the morrow, just as did the recent ancestors of today’s PNG generations – and for similar reasons!

Family issues, village issues, disciplinary issues and criminal issues were all usually sorted out in small groups before including the rest of those interested.

The venue for this small group of writers was the Moresby Arts Theatre, where a tasty light lunch was provided.

Members of the SWEP committee, notably Ruth Moiam, Steve Ilave and Regina Dorum, had capably arranged invitations to Moresby writers, advertising and a host of other details.

The meeting started with 18 (of 31 pre-confirmed) and an hour and a half later numbers had grown to 25 attentive, passionate, participatory writers, sitting on the near seats in the tiered theatre.

From where I spoke, sitting on the edge of the stage, I could tell by the affirmative nods, the smiles and whispered comments that the idea was being accepted. This was confirmed by several speakers in the open session which followed.

Steven, as an informal chairman, asked everyone to introduce themselves and make what comments they wanted. This was, for me, the most interesting session.

Some people spoke at length and brought up interesting and relevant aspects of the writing scene.

And what a modern, discerning bunch of writers they are – discussing how today’s social media might integrate with their work.

Not for them Twitters and Facebook, which they see as being person-to-person communication, and useful to that extent only.

Blogs? Yes, definitely have a place in publishing, for comparison, for education.

And agreement that for a blog posting and for a blog comment, the writing should be the best the writer can muster.

I was very happy with the day, and most impressed by the ability and good PNG commonsense of those writers.

We enjoyed our light lunch with a can of soft and informal discussion before we all went our various ways.

Thank you again to those competent, friendly SWEP committee members for a job well done.

Comments

[Veronica Marme]

Yes, KJ for our PNG'an readers, book buyers and distributors they can look out for the book titled: Woman of Integrity my Autobiograpy about how God raised me in the wilderness for 20 years at the University bookshop, PAU, Christian Bookshop but they can contact me as the Author directly to place their orders.....And, my E-mail address is: veronicamarme@gmail.com so they can get in touch with me this way or they can call me on my cell phone: (675) 72781597 and office number at NBC-Radio is: 3255233 Ext: 216
Or you can connect with me on my facebook on, do a search on goggle under: Veronica Temai Marme Author's Facebook Account and you will find me there.
Thank you so much.
My Motto for PNG'ans, Friends and Families:
Let's promote PNG'an Authors and Writers........Keep the literary world ALIVE!!!!!

[Veronica Marme]

Thank you so much KJ for your offer to do a book review on my book and to keep your readers informed. I completed all the stages of Post-Production and its going through the Publishing Process now. As I just signed the Contract for Publishing on-line three weeks ago. I got a Production team assigned to my Book Project as my Publishing Consultant advised me two weeks ago. Its very exciting to get my first book self-published because KJ as an Author I'am in total control of the whole Publishing and Marketing processes compared to the traditional Publishers. KJ you don't mind helping me to pass the word around to some of the bookshop owners you know in Australia to order some copies? I would love to see some hard copies on the shelves of Bookshops in Australia. Because a Chapter of my book is about my Life in Australia and being fostered by a Whitewoman who is an English Anthropologist who was a Professor at the University of Queensland Anthropology Department at the time. Her name is aunty Drikore Joan Johnstone. She is currently living in Gosford, North Sydney. I don't know now if she knows that the book is coming out shortly hopefully in June and or July, 2013 this year. Its about 300 pages, paperback with full colour Front and Back Cover Pages. You can order a copy or copies from these on-line bookshops: amazon.com, BARNES & NOBLE.com, Ingram Book Company, BAKER TAYLOR, AbeBooks.com, alibris, half.com, BOOKS.A.MILLION, Powell's Books, CIPA, SPAN and ibpa.

My Author's website would be: www.outskirtspress.com/womanofintegrity

For our PNG'an readers, friends, wantoks, book buyers and distributors Russell Soaba from the University of PNG, Language & Literature Dept. (who was my former Lecturer who knows me as a student quiet well) offered to do the Book Review here. Thank you and we will definitely keep in touch. Thank you very much KJ for allowing me to share on your Blog. Powerful........

[Veronica Marme]

Hi Keith, thank you for your blog 'PNG Attitude'. It's great as we can share important issues about PNG here.

Yes, I met Bob Cleland recently during the SWEP meeting. I'm really pleased to see such a Writers, Editors and Publishers society existing and emerging.

I'm really blessed as I'm one of the passionate writers. I just completed my very first book, manuscript and send it away for publishing on-line for self-publishing.

And, it should be out in the next three months time and I would really appreciate if you can help me sell the copies of the book.

It will be distributed on amazon.com on-line. It's titled: 'Woman of Integrity' and it's really about how God raised me in the wilderness for 20 years before He (God) released my ministry called 'The Great Move of God in PNG Office'.

It's my autobiography, analying myself and knowing who I really am and knowing God's Will and Purpose upon my life. Its going to be a powerful book and I wrote this book for these 3 reasons:

1. To raise funds to build the church and Ministry.

2. As a powerful Evangelism Tool.

3. As my testimony to allow people to know God's Will and Purpose upon their own lives.

Thank you and cheers. This is my first time to read your blog. Keep up the good work and God bless you all.
___________

Keep us informed about the book's progress, Veronica. We'll be happy to review it and let our readers know more about it at the appropriate time - KJ

[Ganjiki D Wayne]

And it was a pleasure meeting you Bob.

[David Gonol]

Yes, we had a wonderful meeting last weekend.

All of us who attended agreed to continue to hold a writers' 'bung' every fortnight.

Our next meeting will come up by the end of this month.
The SWEP Committee will advise of the venue and time of the 'bung'.

Those who are interested should come along with their writings for discussion, etc.

[Michael Dom]

Bob, I'm glad to hear that this meeting went well.

It's unfortunate that some of us could not make it.

Would SWEP send us a members list and locations so that we can all know who and where we are?

It may be possible for other centres to arrange their own writer's groups starting with a few members already there.

Also, I hope we can hear some highlights of the discussion sooner.