The next meeting of the Amelia Writing Group will be March 13 at 6:00 p.m.
Writing Prompts for March 13th
1, It was a beautiful day so I decided to take a walk into the woods behind my house.
2. A funny thing happened on my way ………………………………
3. A reporter arrives in town and asks odd questions.
4. They had nothing to say to each other.
Five Words
Little boy, cart, torn page, market, green
Have fun!
Mr. Bisig, the founder of College and Beyond, speaks at the Amelia Branch on February 21 about taking the ACT/SAT. He’s spoken about a number of college issues over the years, appearing locally in the Business Courier, Cincinnati Magazine, and Simply Money. Call 752-5580 to register for the program.
Question: Do ACT and SAT scores play into scholarship amounts more than academic record?
Dan Bisig: Test scores are just one of the items taken into consideration for scholarships. When added to the GPA in particular, the higher the test score, the greater the eligibility for more scholarship dollars. However, please realize that some scholarships also factor in a number of other items including the curriculum a student has taken compared to the available school options, extracurricular activities and maybe even an essay. Bottom-line – Do your homework!
Q: How important are ACT/SAT scores when applying to college versus academic record or extracurricular activities?
DB: Once again, test scores are just one component of the admissions process for many colleges. The more selective the college, the greater the emphasis that is placed by Admissions Officers on ALL of these items (including essays) when they select their incoming freshman class.
Q:Is there a practice test online or in a study guide that you recommend?
DB: First, it is important to realize that every student has their own way of preparing for tests. Ask them, “What have you found to be the best way to study and prepare for a tough test?” There are many available options: some may need a tutor, others group sessions, maybe a Prep Book or a focused computer program.
2. Write a memory related to a holiday.
3. List 50 things you’ll never do.
4. Write about a day in the life of an old wedding dress.
5. Take two people who dislike each other and stick them in the back seat of a cab. Write their dialogue or lack of it. Let us see their body language, feel the emotion.
Five Words
Benefit, arrow, flight attendant, crumpled paper, globe
Have fun! See you all on the 28th.
Join us at the Milford-Miami Township Branch on Saturday, February 18 at 10:30 AM for the Cincinnati Art Museum program, Gods and Goddesses. A volunteer docent will give a presentation examining how polytheistic religions have been reflected and expressed throughout time in the art of many cultures.
Explore more on your own:
The next meeting of the Amelia’s Writer’s group will be on February 14th. Rudi will present notes from a discussion on Stephen King’s “On Writing” during the first half.
At the last meeting the group came up with the following guidelines for giving and receiving feedback.
Giving Feedback
1. Be respectful of group members and genre topics
2. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
3. Begin with positive feedback and then constructive feedback.
4. Avoid repeating comments that have already been presented.
5. Be specific and back up with examples.
Receiving Feedback:
1. Ask for specific feedback, if wanted.
2. Listen to feedback and avoid commenting.
3. Write down comments and ask for clarification later.
Williamsburg Creative Writing Group
Prompts for the week of February 9th 2012
Prompt
We will call this week’s prompt, create a scene. We will all be writing from one prompt. I want you to take us there, let us see it, smell it or even taste it. Remember to create the scene for us. This can be a real experience or a totally fictitious one. You be the creator.
One evening at the mall…
Five words
Create a short story using these five words:
Benefit, cistern, essence, curdle, fox
HAVE FUN!
The Amelia Library Writer’s Group will meet the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 6:00 p.m. The next meeting is January 24th.
Laura will bring in suggested guidelines for receiving and giving criticism for writing groups she got from a class. We will then write up the guidelines for the group.
Writing Prompts for January 24th
1. If I were a superhero, I would be……and my powers would be …..
2. “What is one of the funniest things that has ever happened to you? Retell the event as completely as you can.”
3. Write about a good thing gone bad.
4. A special anniversary is coming up and you’ve decided to go all-out to celebrate. The only thing is, this is an anniversary of something unusual and there’s only one other person who knows what it’s about—and he’s uncomfortable celebrating. Write this scene.
5. Use your own prompt.
Five Words - cannibal, snow day, world, green, wood
Cake pops? What are those, you ask? Well, if you have not been fortunate enough to try these little creations, let me tell you about how wonderful they are!
In a nutshell, here is the description of a cake pop. Crumbled up cake mixed with icing, formed into bite sized balls, on a lollipop stick (hence the name, cake “pops”). Typically dipped in chocolate and decorated in a variety of creative ways!
Register for the program, “Cake Pops” with Fantasy in Frosting, at the New Richmond Branch Library. It’s Tuesday, February 7th, from 6 – 7:30 pm. This program has limited space, so be sure to sign up soon by calling the branch, at 513-553-0570.
Williamsburg Creative Writing Group
Prompts for the week of January 12th, 2012
Prompt
We have all done wonderful job writing about things, places and imaginary people. I think it is time for us to explore ourselves. Let’s see what we find.
What have been some high points in your life?
What do you do for fun?
How would you describe what kind of person you are?
How have you changed or grown in the last six months?
Five words
Create a short story using these five words:
Attorney, marmalade, factory, quarter, earth worm
HAVE FUN!
The 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is taking place now, from 2011 – 2015. The Ohio Historical Society has created the website, Ohio Civil War 150, where you can learn about Ohio’s part in the Civil War, browse photos from their collection, and find Civil War events taking place in your area.
The New Richmond Branch Library and Historic New Richmond are working together to present four Civil War-themed programs in 2012.
The first in the series is scheduled for March 20, 2012, at 6:30 pm. The Longest Raid, with Mr. Lester Horwitz, and his Pulitzer Prize nominated history of Morgan’s Raid. The Longest Raid focuses on Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s thousand mile ride through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio in July of 1863.
You can visit The Longest Raid, or find a copy of the book in our catalog. You can also browse our entire collection of Civil War items.
Upcoming topics in our civil war series include:
Be sure to check CCPL’s event calendar for future programs at all branches.