Wednesday, August 27, 2008

27/08/08 Mailer 6: Meeting on Friday

Hi everyone,

Don't forget: this week's meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, August 29. We will meet in Room 29 at 12.30 pm as usual.

Agenda

Reading writing about reading

Yes, seriously. I thought it would go well with all the discussions we've had on writing about writing. Reading is an art too.

Suggestion by Manasa

Will tell you on Friday.

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Please note that no one offered to make posters, not even once in a while. You guys are awful. :(

And yay! Our tests are over. Now I can look forward to an even bleaker existence filled with assignments, quizzes, oh and a joyless film production!

Cheers,
Aditi

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

18/08/08 Meeting 5

Hey everyone,

I'm too tired and unfortunately very busy this week, and will not be saying much about the previous meeting. In brief, we talked about critique and how we react to it, what we expect of it, etc. Then, after Prasanna ma'am's reading, the discussion to the relationship between age/experience and writing.

There are two things I need:

1. Writing to be sent in for the blog. You can submit pretty much anything by the 24th. I'm not extending the deadline because as time goes by, I'll have to spend more time on my film project. My personal blog is a mess as is. Also, if I don't get enough material by the 24th, I will scrap the idea. I don't care how much time we've spent labouring over this. It's not worth anyone's time to upload anything if we don't have anything substantial to put up.

2. Someone to make posters. These are basic, non-fancy posters to be put up on Fridays so that people remember to come for the Monday meeting. It's way too much work for me to do every week. All you need is A4 sheets, a sketch pen or marker, cellotape and a pair of scissors. Two posters every week. One on the notice board opposite the canteen, the other on the board outside the English department. More than one person can volunteer and you'll can rotate. I'll tell you what to write on it. Anyway, you've seen my posters before and they're pretty ordinary.

The next meeting will be on Friday, August 29. Same place, same time. Let's have this as an open-to-all reading club meeting. Someone please volunteer to bring in stuff to read.

We can start the writing club next week.

Best,
Aditi

Saturday, August 16, 2008

16/08/08: Mailer 5: Agenda for next meeting

Hi everyone,

Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 18 in Room 29 and 12.30 pm as usual. Nehdiya, from the Dramatics Association, will most probably be joining us to tell us about the theatre script they want.

Agenda:

What is critique?

Reading by Prasanna ma'am

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Can't think of any news to tell you. There will be a poetry reading at Reliance Time Out on the 23rd. Nothing spectacular, if you ask me. It's all this Unisun engineered stuff, who, incidentally, are publishing three of my poems in their anthology. I'm quite upset about it. It's my fault for sending them in the first place. What did I know back then?

A disgruntled
Aditi

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

11/08/08 Meeting 4

Hi everyone,

Just an update about what we did last time.

Vote on the blog title

Finally, we arrived at a clear winner: "Ink Noise". For anyone who needs to know, I voted for "Mulitcoloured Sock" and now feel rather lonely without it. But yay democracy, etc. I will be creating this blog soon and I expect you to start contributing soon. There's a long weekend ahead, so try getting some writing done. As of now, I only have an entry each from the three I PyEJs. Please don't have me guilt-trip you all into submitting something. The deadline is August 24. The theme for anyone who needs it as "voices", and all kinds of artforms are acceptable, as long as they are wordpress-friendly.

Reading by Sristi of II PyEJ

Srishti read us one of Ayn Rand-inspired poems, which explored two different interpretations of narcissism. I'm a little disappointed with the lack of helpful feedback. We seem to be going off on tangents, and I wonder if Srishti profited from our discussion at all. Sristi, feel free to criticise our distracted ways -- we deserve it.

Attendees

Sana, Vibha, Srishti, Neha, Asawari, Anisha, Bhagya, Madhavi, Nikhita, Tharindri, Manasa, Prasanna ma'am and Aditi

*

For the next meeting, can we have someone read some prose? Please contact me and let me know by Friday. Email works, but if you're using the phone, please call me at 9880779207. Don't text me because I won't be able to reply. Something's wrong with my phone and the Airtel people are being very useless. I'm considering experimenting with using certain four-letter words next time I meet them to see if it'll get any work done.

*

Does anyone here write plays for theatre? If not, is anyone interested in trying? The Dramatics Association is in need of an original script for a production of theirs, so it's a good opportunity for you guys. Will give you Nehdiya's number if you're interested.

*

Here's the poem by Kenneth Koch that I was talking about: To Psychoanalysis.

*

Right. That's it for now. Happy Independence Day.

Cheers,

Aditi

Sunday, August 10, 2008

10/08/08 Mailer 4: Lit Assn Meeting tomorrow!

Hi everyone,

Sorry, I should've sent this earlier. We are definitely having our meeting tomorrow at 12.30 pm (or as soon as you manage to buy lunch) in Room 29.

Our agenda is as follows:

Final vote on blog title

Reading by Srishti (II PyEJ)

Fictional letters
(if we have the time)

*

I'd also like to congratulate the following for placing in lit events this year.

MCC @ 60

Poetry Writing
First place: Archana S - III PyEE
Second place: Tharindri - I PyES

Short Story Writing
First place: Neha Mujumdar - II PyEC
Second place: Nikitha - I PyEC

Freshers' Week


Creative Writing
First place: Anisha Raisurana - I PyEE
Second place: CS Bhagya - I PyeJ

Cul Week

Complete the story
First place: Asawari Ghatage - I PyEJ
Second place: Madhurambal - I HEP
Third place: CS Bhagya - I PyEJ

Literary Quiz
First place: Sneha Sikand and Padma S - III PyEC
Second place (tie): Asawari Ghatage and CS Bhagya - I PyEJ
Greeshma and Annie K - I PyEE

Haiku and Limerick Contest
First place: Danielle D'Silva - II PyEC
Second place: Deepa Jacob - II PyEC
Third place: Sonal - II PyEC

*

Haiku for you to muse on:

O snail
Climb Mount Fuji,
But slowly, slowly!

Having slept, the cat gets up,
yawns, goes out,
to make love

A bath when you're born,
a bath when you die,
how stupid

-- Kobayashi Issa

*

See you tomorrow,

Aditi

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

04/08/08 Meeting 3

Hi everyone,

Here is a brief version of our third lit meeting in case you missed it. The numbers had decreased, unfortunately; on the other hand, Prasanna ma'am joined us, which was a lot of fun. In fact, a certain first year emailed me and said she had a hangover after the meeting -- it was that good. (Blatant hint: attend meetings more often, you slacker folk. :P)

The blog

We voted on the title of the blog. Favourites were Multicoloured sock, Ink Noise and Rapid Eye Movement, but to be truthful, I'm not very satisfied with the vote. It's all over the place and there's no clear winner. Can we do this again properly? Please? I'd really like to start up the blog, to generate hype, as they say.

Also, please submit work. Currently, I have one piece of digital art and two poems. Please send in more stuff. Remember: the deadline is August 24 and the theme is Voices, for anyone who needs it.

Quotations read out by Prasanna ma'am

Ma'am read us a bunch of quotations by writers on writing, which sparked off a good discussion.

Reading by Sushmita (III PyEE)

Sushmita joined us at the last minute and talked to us about the workshop she attended. She read out a poem of hers as well.

Attendees

Vibha, Namratha, Sushmita, Bhagya, Madhavi, Asawari, Srishti, Sana, Greeshma, Archana, Manasa, Prasanna ma'am and Aditi

*

In other news, cul week is killing me. I'm so happy this is the last of contests until Cul-Ah. And for that, I'll ask for volunteers. Right now, it's better if you participate. But we don't participate during Cul-Ah, so I can make you guys sit at the desk while I check out the food stalls -- like my seniors made me do.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Lit Quiz (Aug 7, Thursday; GJB - 2; 11.10 am) and the Haiku and Limerick Contest (Aug 8, Friday; GJB stretch; 11.30 am).

Oh! I just remembered, here's the Auden poem I was telling you about: How Dirty Is That Auden Poem That Was Too Dirty for the 'Times Book Review'? Before you open the link, I should say that if you're the sensitive sort or religious or both, don't click on the link. Also, if you worship Auden.

I recently had a few poems at Pratilipi. It's a bilingual mag, and my first Indian publication (of note). It was nice being asked to submit to them. I believe Anjum Hassan is in there with me; I haven't had the time to read through fully. Anyway, here are the poems: Walk into the Sound. Comments are welcome. :)

Best,
Aditi

Friday, August 1, 2008

01/08/08: Mailer 3: Lit Assn: Meeting; Reading with Shashi Deshpande

Hi everyone,

Before I get to the meeting, I'd like you to know that there is a reading happening tomorrow, Saturday, August 2, at Reliance Time Out (Cunningham Road) at 3.00 pm. It is not so much a reading as a dramatic performance of one of Shashi Deshpande's stories and an extract from one of Anil Abraham's plays. Both writers will be there and we can interact with them and stuff. This is an excellent opportunity, so do come. Hope to see you there.

Monday Meeting: August 4

I expect the same level of enthusiasm and attendance. I know some of you can't make it (due to other commitments), but otherwise try to come. Bring your lunch, etc.

The meeting will be held in Room 29, during the lunch break, as usual.

The agenda is as follows:

Reading by Sushmita (III PyEE) followed by a discussion

Reading by Vibha (III PyEJ) followed by a discussion

Voting on blog title

Some of the titles suggested till now are: REM (as in "Rapid Eye Movements"), Parrhesia and Multicoloured Sock. I also thought of Litter Box (although you may not want your writing thusly demeaned), Ink Noise (based on my present love for Don DeLillo) and Thusly (which is a word I like to think I invented).

Let's also vote on whether or not we want to open up our submissions to the rest of college you know -- the lazy folk who don't bother attending our meetings. Oh! And what about asking some of our lecturers to submit?

As for the submissions, I'm happy to say I've already received two. Submissions shall be open till midnight, August 24, which gives you about three weeks to send in work. If you need an extension, you can bring your convincing arguments to the meeting on Monday. :P

Cul Week

Any last minute registrations for the Lit Quiz and questions relating to the contests will be dealt with.

Have a good weekend, everyone. I hope someone manages to get tickets for The Dark Knight. I didn't, but no matter: I just found a lovely poem to read. It's by Sybil Ruth, winner of this year's Mslexia Poetry Competition: A Song of Jean.

Cheers,
Aditi