First Things First

Hello, Herders! The Richland Public Library will not be open on May 11, so here we are – the second month in which we are staying home and staying safe, protecting ourselves, our families, and neighbors from the spread of coronavirus. I hope all is well with all of you.

Introductions and Your Great News

I know we may need to recalibrate what constitutes “great news” – but let’s continue to celebrate our collective good news. What great things have you got to share? Let me know! I’ll start – since my story about a measles outbreak includes references to current events, I was stumped how to proceed with the coronavirus sweeping the world. And then Lenora Good sent me an article pointing out that measles vaccination programs are going to suffer because of the coronavirus – and just like that! I’m back on track. Thanks, Lenora!

What’s your great news?

Discussion

When last we met in person, Jess asked for discussion of exposition and backstory, and suggested that we all bring examples of exposition that work for us – or not – to our next meeting. Last month, I pulled together an outline to consider for exposition. I’ve added to it, with more reading, and input from Betsy Dickinson and Diana Langner – thanks! Check it out and let me know your thoughts. If you have additional examples, please share them and we’ll make this a living document. You can find it here: Exposition.

I’m not sure about our “discussion” for next month – let me know if you have something you’d like to learn more about. As for next month, I’ve been plotting our Tri-Cities coronavirus epi curves. I think there’s a possibility it might be ok to meet in person in June, if the library has opened. Or we might consider meeting outside. We’ll see as the time gets closer.

I plan to send a little survey out to ask your thoughts about our meetings going forward. Specifically, if the library is open, are you likely to come to meetings there or not? Would you be willing to try a video conference format? What videoconferencing tools do you use? Do you use share spaces like slack or Microsoft teams? If not, are you willing to try? We’ll figure out how we can keep sharing and encouraging each other somehow!

Speaking of surveys…

Marketing and Community Engagement

The Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia has circulated a survey, the “AFMC Literary Arts Planning Survey.” AFMC has been involved in the Rivers of Ink Conferences in the past. You can find more information here: http://artsfoundationmc.org/2020-afmc-literary-arts-survey. The survey closes on May 25, 2020.

Next Meeting?

• June 8, 2020