I've got the chatroom organised! Yay. You can click onto it where you post messages and it will say whether anyone else is in the chatroom already.

So if I don't get to make the coffee with Alyson, maybe we could organise a chat. The weekend seems to be the time when most people are available, so if everyone could list their preferred time here, we could work something out. I think a weekly meeting of Project Muse would be great.

I think regular chats about Project Muse will be inspiring. I am looking forward to it. Just name a time and I will be there.

deb

I can't wait! And just think we can chat and drink coffee at the same time! Saturday around this time and all day Sunday's are good for me. Nights too. But I am happy to organise myself around you guys!

HELLOOOOOOOO! !! Only an empty echo. I just visited the chat room to see what it was like and of course I was the only patron there. LOL! Talked to myself for a few seconds, the coffee waiter didn't serve me so I left...says he's waiting for a party to turn up and to came back later...

deb

Well that is good news. We should definatly meet soon. Weekends are good for me. Sunday nights are even better. Im really only free on the weekend.
ps.
The dont serve cream pie at the chatroom, just so you guys know!

Imagine - a cafe with it's own coffee waiter! How perfect is that. I can't wait to try their fare. I hear they make it exactly to your specifications, hot, cool, white, black, with or without chocolate sprinkles on your froth. And each table has it's own laptop! How do you like that?

You can reserve a table too. I picked one out with booth seating and a bay window overlooking the street. The glass in the window is heavily leadlighted and you can hardly see through it but it makes the booth so cosy. It's also got pleanty of leg room so I can either sink right down or tuck my legs up on the long leather bench.

I love the dark carpet and mahogany fittings and the antique lamps overhead. It made me feel l was tucked away in a secret corner of the globe and you can tell the patrons only found the place through word of mouth.

Oh, and bring a jacket, it's a little crisp without the fireplaces lit. Hope to see you all there soon!

What a great name, Alyson. Cafe Muse. And is that waiter cute or what? I found your booth and loved the window. It was all green and red and blue, and I felt like I was from Ennae, looking through it into the illusory colours of Magoria. Very odd but strangely comforting.

So, as for timing, Sunday night is great for me. How about we make a date/time for next Sunday at 7pm?

I'll be there..... can only write it down and wait!
-I spilt coffee on the lap top...sorry! Oh, the cute waiter isnt mad.... no he's just expecting a big tip i suppose!-

Next Sunday at 7:00pm it is. (Is that Brissy time - I'll be in Brissy but Melbourne is on Daylight savings time so...)

The waiter is a doll! But I always have been a sucker for Italians. Tall dark and handsome and all that jazz. I mentioned out booking for next Sunday and he seemed to know all about it already. Our window booth will be set aside for us. Then he brought me a coffee without my even asking and it was made just the way I like it! How bizarre. Seems to be a little magic in the air.

See you Sunday!

I'll be there.

deb

I popped in to Cafe Muse last night to have a look while I did some work. The coffee waiter wasn't there! Did someone take him home for the evening?? (LOL) Anyway, I was totally immersed in my writing, when the scent of hot chocolate curled its way around my nose. I glanced up to see a mug on the table beside me, but no idea of how it got there. The girl behind the counter was busy stacking glasses, so I shrugged and took a sip. Mmmmm, dark chocolate blended with creamy hot milk, and a few tiny marshmallows beginning to melt on the top. There was a hint of something else, that I couldn't quite distinguish. I got back to work, enjoying my mug.

As I got up to leave awhile later, I noticed a mysterious old man seated at the back of the cafe. He glanced at me, and nodded as though we were aquainted. I nodded politely in return, but had no idea who he was. Had I met him before? He looked familiar and yet foreign at the same time.

I left some coins on the counter, and headed out into the night. I'll definitely be back there soon - I like a good mystery, and I've yet to meet the infamous coffee waiter you've all talked about so much. Fi

no cream pie huh? Well I'm not going then, cute waiter or no. Actually, the uni server doesn't allow us to visit chatrooms, besides which my computer would completely blow a fuse. So I'll just go and sit in my own little imaginary cafe, with my imaginary friends and talk to them and order cream pie if I want to

fancy that not serving cream pie....

Just left the cafe and what an amazing sight. No hint of your old man, Fi, but something altogether different. The coffee waiter was there but he was sitting at a table with a bunch of people, young and old, beautiful and bizarre but all fascintating.

Turns out they were all muses! The real thing! Immortals sitting right there at that big round table in the centre of the room, the one that is never set, but at this time is was overflowing with glasses and plates though none of them held anything. As though these 'people' were pretending to down mixer drinks and party nibbles. I had heard that they cannot taste food but it seemed so sad to see it.

And I tried to listen into their conversation but though they were loud and raucous I could not pick out one conversation, one distinct word, the voices and sounds tripped and rippled over one another until it became indecipherable white noise.

The coffee waiter looked up after telling a joke and caught me staring. I swallowed hard thinking maybe he'd strike me down where I sat (who knows, maybe they can produce lightning from their fingertips, I mean they are practically gods!). But he merely smiled that small, barely there smile of his, and turned back to his friends.

Finally I got back to my writing when I got to thinking about Fi's hot chocolate and before I knew it there one was. Hot and creamy with the same little marshmallows! And that 'hint of something else' - I could not put my finger on it. After one sip I looked back to the big round centre table which was suddenly empty - devoid of cutlery and crockery as usual and so quiet and clean it was as though I had imagined the party. I had not even noticed the conversation die down much less seen anyone leave.

It was time for me too to depart and on my way out the coffee waiter held open the door. So many questions sprung into my mind I could not pin down just one to ask. And then he spoke; "You and your friends will be here on Sunday ngiht, no?" he said in a slight Italian accent. "We are all very interested in Project Muse and look forward to watching its progress. If you guys need anything, just ask for Luca," he said pointing at his chest. "I'm here to help."

And then I left.

Amazing!

I walked past the heavy wooden doors of Cafe Muse for a few minutes before I ventured inside. I expected a smokey haze to greet me, but was pleasantly surprised at the cosy dim interior. Music drifted on the air. I hugged myself and felt right at home.
Coloured light slanted across the lush carpet as the afternoon sun washed across the leadlight window. I smiled, one of those golly gee wiz smiles.
The the waiter popped his head around a corner and directed me to our booth. Then I really smiled and thought things that a mum with 5 kids shouldn't be thinking! What a honey of a coffee waiter!

I made my way over to the booth, my boots wading through the carpet and my senses drinking in the atmosphere.
A frothy cappachino was sitting on the table. So was a piece of mudcake. Now that's service!

Sliding into the soft leather bench seat I sighed and thought, "this cafe must havee been designed by someone who knows how to inspire a writer."

Feather light fingers trailed down my arm. I looked up and into the face of a man. My muse. I knew who it was without even asking.
"Finally we can meet face to face instead of just through your writing" He said as he sat down.

Deb, I can't believe you stopped there! You had me really hooked. At least tell me what he looks like. I'm such a sucker for a romance

Helen, you can't come? Arrrg. How can we have a meeting of Project Muse without Helen? Is there no computer you can commandeer on Sunday nights for an hour? Do try.

I'm staying away from the Cafe (which I noticed has really become more detailed and distinct since Fiona and Alyson have visited) and that waiter until Sunday. I know what I'm like. Before I know it I'll be having lunch there everyday, gazing into those dreamy dark eyes and getting no work done whatsoever. However, as for inspiration...

Did you guys decide on a time and date for the next Project Muse chat?

I think we'll try to stick with a regular chat on Sunday nights if that suits everyone - at 7pm daylight saving time - that's 6pm here in Queensland.

Suits me just fine. Can't wait until the next one!

Aaargh!!! I'm sooooooo sorry I missed the chat on Sunday. I was really looking forward to it I had so much fun last week. I think it's jetlag - coming back into daylight savings is really more confusing than you would think. I was either watching 'Popstars' at the time or in bed reading a Le Carre book whilst the boys watched something manly on Foxtel and I completely forgot! How disgusting is that!!!

So what did I miss?

I'll be there with bells on next Sunday - but I have a funny feeling it is the first Collingwood game in Melbourne this year so if we have tickets to that, I may have to beg off. 'Popstars', football, oh what a cultural life I do lead.

Hey All

I went away for the weekend (last minute plan on Saturday afternoon) down to Bulli, which is near Wollongong. On Sunday the weather was too depressing to go to the beach, so we visited a few vineyards instead! I've never been to vineyards before, so it was great fun to have lunch, and then sample the different wines. And don't worry - I only had a few small samples! But we didn't get home til about 8.30 Sydney time due to traffic, and no one was in the chatroom then. Sorry! But it was a fun day! Fi

you would of just missed us then Fi. I left at 8.15 sydney time. I was the first to go, so it would of been a close shave.
see you next time?
the winery's up my way are great. The tours are even better, as it means you can really 'sample' the wines. I live in the hunter valley, what more can you want.
Uni is dangerous also, as there is a on site vineyard.
and we get student discount.....lol

Hey Timna - might have to check out the vineyards up your way soon too! Which uni do you go to? Do they sell port at the uni vineyard?? Craig and I both like port (as does the rest of his family) so we're always on the lookout for new yummy ones. Our favourite one is "Sable", from the Barossa Valley in SA, so we have to buy in bulk to get it shipped over.

As for this Sunday, we'll be away again! I am working Tuesday to Saturday next week, so have got Monday off. I am taking Craig over to the Swiss Grand Hotel on Bondi Beach on Sunday night - my Valentine's present to him. There's a fab site called www.wotif.com that my Mum showed me - you can get great prices on last minute accomodation - up to about 2 weeks in advance. Fi

I used to take the kids to Bulli beach Fi. It is nice down there, once you get over the mountains.



deb

Just had a wonderful chat with Fi and Deb, accidentally found each other! Thanks guys!

It was a buzz - killed a few quiet hours at work! Nice to have a few hours like that for a change! This month has been so busy! Thanks to you too Alyson!

Deb and I really psyched each other up discussing our Cafe Muse stories. I have some great leads to follow up on, and can't wait to get home tonight and continue writing. Fi

Great that you guys got together for a chat and to enthuse each other about writing. That's the best thing about being in a writer's group, getting that consistent support. Way to go!

We really missed you guys on Sunday. Helen looked in for about two minutes - threw a few cream pies and then had to go. Sorry we'll miss you again this Sunday, Fi, but will hope to catch up with Alyson.

May be at the football on Sunday, Louise - first Collingwood game of the season. Depends if we get season passes this week then we can get in free.

I'll be sad if I can't come on because I really look forward to the chat.

Hi All

Have started writing my Country and Western song. It still has the working title "My fridge died so I shot my husband" but that is bound to change as I get further into the process. The lyrics are going well so far and it has the traditional someone done me wrong feel that I was hoping for!!!

I didn't know you wrote songs, Karen! That's GREAT!

I think song writing would be good fun...sort of like poetry with a beat and slide guitars.
I am not a big fan of C&W music, but I love some of the titles. Yours fits right in there with "so I hit my husband over the head with a hammer..." or something like that. I can never remember that one's title but I remember hooting with laughter when I heard some radio jock saying it.

Had a fun chat with Fi and Alyson a couple of days ago. We all just happened to be on at the same time.
Thanks guys!!!


deb

Go Karen! Any sort of creativity is encouraged here and I can't wait to see/hear the result of your traumatic fridge incident. My husband is still busily painting the inside of our house lime green (one room to go - yay!) so he's in the good books. Surprising how a change of colour can affect your mood. I look at it and it's so fresh and clean looking that it makes me smile. I walk around looking at walls smiling.

He thinks I'm mad of course, but that's nothing new.

How did the chat go yesterday?

Alyson, so sorry I didn't answer this sooner but my visits to the messageboard have been a little haphazard this week!

The chat was great, we talked about LisaT's story which had come back from a manuscript assessment editor and the helpful comments she'd received. We also talked about how to prepare a manuscript for submission to a publisher and how to go about submitting it. That was pretty brief because I'd rather wait until we get to the stage of someone actually submitting and talk about it in detail then as the 'rules' often change. At the moment most publishers want a synopsis and the first couple of chapters before they agreed to see the full manuscript. But they do need to know that the manuscript is completed.

So, when anyone is looking like submitting we'll talk about it a whole lot more then.

Can't remember much else, actually. Deb was in and out looking after her kids, Karen came and so did Timna. Was Fiona there last Sunday, or was that the Sunday before? I've got brain drain. Anyone else remember what we talked about.

Thanks Louise - can't wait for the submission guidelines episode of "The Chatroom". Will be at the football again this Sunday (go Collingwood!!!) but will be back in chatroom mode the Sunday after!

Have fun without me!

Hello again,
I just wanted to add to this post to let everyone know that if i get a few hours over the long weekend, hence, i will be sure to make atleast an hour for it - I will write a bit of cafe muse story, including the one, the only entertaining waitor. Though forgive me if it is a little out of order lol. My head sure will be in the clouds this weekend, with the amount of editing i've got in store for myself. I'll be hibenating in my studio, if anyone needs me

Though i will do all in my power to try and make it back on Sunday to chat!

hugs
Kerrie

No hockey this weekend!!! If I am home (and remember!) on Sunday night, I should be able to pop in and chat!!! Yah!! Not sure what I can contribute as I'm not writing, but I'll be happy just to read everyone's updates and advice (storage for future reference) Fi

That would be great to see you both! Doesn't matter that your not writing Fi, you are as much a Muser as the rest of us, you clever little website girly you! It would be so good to have you there. We chat about junk as much as writing so its fun.

And Kerrie, I can't wait to hear how your editing goes.

Well, we had another interesting and varied chat. Timna, Deb, Fiona and Nancy were there when I arrived, although Fi had to leave for a barbeque next door not long after. Then Helen arrived tossing cream pies in all directions and shortly thereafter guest_5 arrived and after a minute in the room, posted Nancy privately that he'd like to cyber. He left shortly thereafter (the joys of an open chatroom). Then Kerrie arrived and Timna had to leave.

We talked about lots of 'stuff' but the most writerly thing was manuscript assessment. I mentioned that I'd been checking out Driftwood Manuscript Assessment as they seemed very professional. They keep everyone anonymous (authors of the manuscripts and the assessors) so there's no backlash either way, and they don't tell you fluff. They give praise where it's due but they do tell you what you're doing wrong. Some writers can't take that, but Driftwood are gaining a good reputation among publishers who are apparently sick of getting unpublishable manuscripts sent to them all the time.

If anyone is interested in Driftwood, just email them and ask for some information (in particular their newsletter which I found very interesting) and see what you think. Your manuscript needs to be as good as you can get it before you send it in (or you're wasting your money), but from what I've heard they're worth the money.

Thanks for that info Lou. That's a great topic. Deb and I were chatting about it the other night and I didn't even think of it as a Sunday chat topic! How clever. I'll note down 'Driftwood' as I know MS assessor's are very expensive and if you're not sure if they are any good it's not an easy decision.

It is an interesting topic, particularly when you think you're close to publication standard. You really want to hone your work to catch that editor's eye.

But the value of an assessment is only as good as the assessor who makes it, so even though Driftwood seem to be very professional and the director apparently reads each assessment before she passes it on, it's still contingent on the assessor they chose being:

A. good at assessing strengths and weaknesses
B. familiar with the proposed genre and what's currently being published
C. able to be frank enough to help the writer without sabotaging their self-esteem

That last is the hardest, because everyone reacts to criticism differently. But Driftwood have a policy of not 'fluffing' the client, so at least you do get some helpful advice, hopefully couched in a way that doesn't hurt too much

It sounds like a lot of money to pay but if you want professional help, it's worth the outlay. And in most small business you need to outlay for expenses before you reap any income. If it helps you get a contract with a publisher, it's certainly money well spent.

Just posting to bring this baby to the surface of the board - This is where and why the Case Muse project came from - all those years ago!

I find great your idea to bring it into the daylight again. How the time runs....... When we want to celebrate an anniversary of the message board? Lol.

Timna, how lovely to recap on those memories.  And it was two years ago!  Feels like two months.  Then again, a lot has happened since then.  Anyway, I've found my Cafe Muse story (4000 words) and printed it out.  Will post it to you on Monday, Timna, so let me know if it doesn't arrive.  I'm getting quite excited about the prospect of us getting an anthology together.  Of course, we have no publisher yet but one thing at a time.  First, the quality stories!

So anyone out there who'd like to contribute a well-written short story based on the Cafe Muse we invented here two years ago, please contact Timna for any further details and the address to post it to.

I can't believe it's been two years since we got all excited about our 'chatroom'. You're right, Lou.... This thread does bring back memories.

deb

Thanks for bumping up this post!! I can't believe how many forgotten memories just resurfaced! And it was great to put dates to a few events too. I've got goosebumps from reminiscing!!

Sigh... Cafe Muse! What a lovely place!! And it's amazing to me that with a little bit of co-conspiring we all started our Project Muse stories with such grand plans! It's a shame I haven't been writing, especially when I read this post and remember all those lovely ideas I thought up but still haven't written about.

I know I will be busy when I'm travelling, but maybe without my daily internet connection, I'll find another outlet for writing - even just a travel journal. Just need to stay away from webdesign for a while - it's great fun, but it takes up sooo much time!!

Well, this is a pet project of ours, but i need those stories people to make it a reality.
See the cafe muse thread for details.
(Ps. got your story Lou)