September 2021 Muse

September 2021
“A man who tells secrets or stories must think of who is hearing or reading, for a story has as many versions as it has readers. Everyone takes what he wants or can from it and thus changes it to his measure. Some pick out parts and reject the rest, some strain the story through their mesh of prejudice, some paint it with their own delight. A story must have some points of contact with the reader to make him feel at home in it. Only then can he accept wonders.” — John Steinbeck, The Winter of Our Discontent

Editor's Note:
The Strathcona Writers Muse is a forum for members of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County to provide an opportunity for members to publish their works. Anything published in our letter is eligible to receive a publishing credit. We accept poems and short stories of 1000 words or less normally but longer pieces can be accommodated if they can be published in parts. We are always in need of new items for each month so don't hesitate if you have something we can put into our publication.
Send submissions to wfscsherwoodpark@gmail.com care of Henry Martell, editor.

Important Dates
Virtual Sharing Meeting online
Next date September 7, 2021
RSVP on the website and the link will be emailed to you prior to the meeting.
https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/event-details/writing-circle-meeting-online-13
Next Board Meeting: September 14, 2021
Newsletter Submission Deadline: September 24, 2021
Monthly online Creative Writing Workshops
Held last Saturday of every month at 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Go to the website to register - click the RSVP and the link will be emailed to you prior to the workshop.
https://www.wfscsherwoodpark.com/event-details/creative-writing-workshop-online-14
Poets in the Park
Poets in the park meets the third Wednesday of every month on-line.
Reply to the link on the WFSC website
www.wfscsherwoodpark.com
Next scheduled meeting Sept 22, 2021
Children's Writing Workshop
Next Meeting Sept 9, 2021
Reply to the link on our Website
www.wfscsherwoodpark.com
This Month's Submissions
Death at the Abandoned Theme Park by Mandy Eve-Barnett
It started out as a harmless dare between friends - it ended up as so much more.
Marcus, Josh, Daniel and Billy had exhausted, in their minds at least, their summer vacation activities. Many hours were spent at the skate park, the local swimming pool, exploring local bike trails and tubing down the river. Even the gaming had begun to lose its allure. They wanted excitement, something new.
Sitting on the river bank, smoking a packet of stolen cigarettes, courtesy of Billy, the four friends watched the flow of water, dotted with canoes, river tubers and the occasional swimmer, some human, some canine.
“Another month of summer vacation and we’re already bored. What the hell?”
“Yeah, you’re right, Marcus, we do the same stuff every year. But what choice is there in this old town, it’s always the same old shit.”
Daniel blew out two smoke rings. After congratulatory whoops from his friends, he said.
“What we need is something new,