THE BEST-KEPT SECRET

Hi all
As Schmooze Advocate, I am privy to some very interesting email exchanges. See below!

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To:WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Schmooze Topics
Hey Greg, I’ve got the perfect topic for the next schmooze. “Fonts that Sell.” It’ll be GREAT! Picture it. 25 writers sitting around the tables, comparing the merits of Comic Sans to Arial. I can bring in my entire font directory as a visual aid! Am I brilliant or what?
Sara
P.S. I’ll bring chocolate chip cookies

From: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Schmooze Topics
Hmm… that idea is… interesting. But unless someone knows what font the Harry Potter manuscript was written in, I just don’t see how it’ll sustain us for 90 minutes. I think we need something pretty meaty, so people can share their experiences and thoughts. Writers digging into a topic is what a Schmooze is all about. Well, that and hanging out. Right? So what about

“Are Board Books the New Pink?”

Greg

To: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
You’re right about the discussion thing… but I’m not sure board books are really going to appeal to everyone who wants to come Schmoozing. Not that we have to appeal to the entire universe, but what about the Young Adult or non-fiction writers? Maybe we could make it broader? Like “How to Make your First Million in Children’s Books.” What do you think?
Sara
P.S. Snickerdoodle cookies instead? Where do you stand on the cinnamon vs. chocolate issue?

Fr: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
Remember those questionnaires we passed out last year asking for folks to pick topics they’d like? Maybe we should look at the results instead of… you know… us simply deciding in a vacuum? (For the record, I vote NO!)
Mr. G.

To: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
Huh. You mean find a topic that we already know people are interested in?
But that means lots of people will show up. That’s more work for us!
AND
they might have a good time, learn something, and eat ALL of my cookies! Think of the standards we’d have to live up to??? Why would we do such a thing?

P.S. Late breaking idea: chocolate chip pumpkin muffins with a hint of cinnamon.

Fr: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
If you’re bringing those muffins, I vote for “How to do your taxes” as our topic, so I can eat them all. But if you nix that, I noticed that we have some interesting business of writing topics AND some great craft topics on our list… like voice and revision and pacing. I love the craft meetings because I learn a ton, so selfishly, I say we should go for one of them.

Hungry Greg
P.S. Should I bring gruel and brussel sprouts?

To:WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
You know, I think we should keep hush hush about us learning stuff at Schmoozes (not to mention how much we learn preparing for them!). In fact maybe we can come up with an undercover meeting place and a secret knock. I mean really, if people find out that a Schmooze is a great place to learn and to chat with and meet other writers, we’ll have a stampede on our hands! OK, sure, we could handle the extra people, but think of the snack shortage! Whatever we do, let’s at least not advertise these things, okay?
Good. See you on Wednesday!
Sara
P.S. All this chatting has made me hungry! I think I’ll bring all three desserts.

Fr: WestsideSchmooze@hotmail.com
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Schmooze Topics
The Schmooze secret’s safe with me. I’ll just delete this email thread and… hey, what’s “forward to address book” mean?

The Westside Schmooze meets the second Wednesday of every month, September through June (though our February meeting is TBD). Visit us on the web (http://www.scbwisocal.org/schmoozes/westside.htm) for up to date information. Please come on by and say hello to us or to the folks at any other Schmooze.
You’ll be glad you did (even if there aren’t any of Sara’s pumpkin chocolate chip muffins to be had.)