Lynn Knight and Richard Gibbons lead the group in several exercises in bringing our fictional characters to life.

Lynn started the meeting with a sense-memory exercise that actors use to become their characters. There are three steps. First, get relaxed. For those who have done relaxation tapes or subliminal tapes, you are familiar with the process. Sit quietly in a relaxed pose. Release all your tension, breathe deeply and smoothly, and then close your eyes.

Next, feel yourself become one with the character you are having trouble with. Become that character. Then, pick an object precious to that character. Why is it precious? How does it fit with the character and the story? Stay in the relaxed state and let your subconscious do the work.

Do this as an warm up exercise when you sit down at your computer to write. If the writing interferes with the relaxed state, use a tape or voice recognition system so you can keep your eyes closed and let the character flow out of you.

Richard next led the group through several handouts. The first related our protagonist to us as a person. Our various personal qualities should also be found in the character. Who am I? What are my traits? How do other people perceive me? Your character will have similar traits in different proportions.

An important aspect of writing is to identify your audience. Who will read your work? What are their traits? Why are they reading your work?

Richard then led the group into a writing exercise where a situation was given and we wrote a page of a story. There were some outstanding results and everyone found the evening successful and fun.