Writing groups - essential part of my tool kit

Ever sat at your desk and felt the loneliness of writing taking a grip? I think we all have at one time or another. For me it was the early days, way back when I was shy about my writing. I was happy to spend hours writing alone but knew that I wanted, and possibly needed, the interaction and chat of other writers in order to achieve my goals. That's when I joined my first writers' group. I didn't stay for long as the members were very 'clicky' so didn't embrace new folk joining. I stayed for just six months, but hey, it gave me a taste of what I was searching for.

I have to say, there as many different types of writing groups as there are types of writers. The formal group with minutes, subscriptions and constitutions or the informal groups who meet at an agreed time and place - the go with the flow groups. There's pro and cons to both, one size doesn't fit all; I benefited by attending two groups: one formal, one informal.

The formal groups are more focussed upon writing as there's usually a narrow time slot of two hours for each meeting. The formalities helps to discipline the routine of the attending members and focus purely on the business in hand: writing - off topic chatter occurs at the mid-meeting break. The informal groups do as they please, no one person runs or manages the group so each meeting simple happens depending on what essence each member brings to the session. Off topic chatter can go anywhere, the focus can go anywhere too - which can be great or frustrating depending on your specific needs. One huge bonus with the informal group is its free, no subscriptions but the disadvantage is people can drop in and out when it suits.

For the last six years I've attended a local informal group and three years ago choose to travel to a formal group as well, getting the best of both worlds. This week that all changed.  Actually a few weeks ago that all changed.      

For me the greatest part of attending my groups is the interaction and support that is offered. I may not have work to share at sessions, I'll explain why later, but I always look forward to attending to hear what others have produced and hear their news. After a busy day at the 'day job' there's nothing better than kicking back to chat about writing. You have to support each other otherwise what's the point? I know I've spent hours listening to other peoples' work, giving feedback, buying their book and taking time out of my busy life to read and review, attend their spoken word projects taking notes then writing web reviews without charging for my time, even having to research genres that I don't read purely to understand their work and give constructive feedback. You do it willingly, if you believe in your group.

There are a couple of drawback with writing groups - not everyone reads or knows your genre but will freely give you feedback and their opinion. I made an enormous error with my first book, I edited based on feedback then later found my original writing was spot on, so had to undo and rewrite huge sections. I had viewed my fellow members as a reading sample, so felt their view was important - that was another huge lesson learnt.  I simply forgot that none of them write my genre so don't necessarily understand the essential structure. It was my naïve error not theirs. Which is one reason I don't read out current projects, plus the informal group meets in an open bar/lounge so I've been warned about sharing my commercial ideas so openly.  Industry professionals know what is essential to your genre, so follow their advice to the letter.

So why the recent change? Why this indepth reflection? Having spent six years giving of my time and effort I asked one favour of the informal group, which would have taken each member two minutes out of their week. No one could give me those precious minutes. It doesn't sound a lot does it? But to me, as an emerging writer who values their support it was a clear and simple message: my support wasn't there. I know that the next few years are vital to my progress; I know that I need support from others to achieve my dreams. My RNA friends knew I was gutted; they flooded me with similar stories of their own experiences before taking the time to complete the two minute task for me, many of whom I've never even met in real life. As for the informal group - just one person has since contacted me to apologise for being so thoughtless - the rest remain silent. It goes without saying, I've left. I'll still support them, wishing them all well but from afar.

So, after much encouragement by hubby, my next step has been to find a replacement group, a much bigger group in a city centre where I'm hoping the spectrum of publishing experience knows how to support. It's an ultra modern type of writing group with additional web forums and member page log-ins - all very different to me, but fresh and exciting.

The light bulb moment for me has been the realisation of how much I value my writing groups. My advice to any writer is to go and seek; find a local group - chat, enjoy and test the waters - you may find you're missing an essential tool in your writer's tool kit.

Festival of Romance 2014, Leighton Buzzard

Have you ever shyed away from attending a literary or writers' festival? Ever wanted to go but backed out thinking I won't know anyone? Yep, me too in previous years, but this year I have finally made it to the Festival of Romance in Leighton Buzzard. I arrived last night eager to collect my tickets and spot the faces, many of whom I know, some which I don't. But, and here's the beautiful thing about romance writers, you don't have to know anyone, honestly you don't. At times, we may be introvert creatures but we always chat to a friendly face, include another in the crowd and willingly share a bottle of rose!

Last night, I attended an author panel 'Girls' Night In' comprising of Rowen Coleman, Jane Lovering, Mandy Baggot and Jill Steeples - the session was filled with much laughter and humour. Each author spoke openly about their routines, novels, writing desires and next project. The audience welcomed their honesty when answering questions and their encouragement to the unpublished.

I have tickets for:

'Meet the publishers and pitch your novel' at 11am in the library theatre.
A session packed with questions for the panel of publishers - a dozen brave folks pitched their novels and received immediate feedback from the panel. Kate Nash did a superb job of balancing the timings giving everyone chance to be heard.

'An afternoon with award winning authors' at 2:30pm in the library theatre. Liz Fenwick hosted the author panel: Katie Fforde, Carmel Harrington, Tracey Bloom and Fiona Harper - who answered questions regards their writing having each given a reading from their latest book. Sadly, the one hour session simply flew by.

'Romance Readers awards 2014' at 8pm in the library theatre were as follows:

Best Romantic Read - One Step Closer to You by Alice Peterson
Best Historical Read - The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans
Best Short Romance - Taming Her Italian Boss by Fiona Harper
Best Ebook - The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas
Best Author Published Romance - Christmas Yves by Nicola May

A huge congratulations to anyone who was short-listed - that alone is a massive achievement.

Alongside these events there is an open air authors' book stall in the Main Street, so fingers crossed it stays dry and each author sells every book.

I arrived home on Sunday filled with a renewed vigor and lot of memories filled with laughter. Who couldn't laugh when a certain group of ladies are taking photos of non-tattooed arms, some are doing their rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody to accompany the barman playing the piano and finally, guessing the weight of firemans' equipment raises the roof! Thank you for a fab weekend, I'll see you all next year x  

New routines, sharing and lessons learnt

September has finally arrived amidst a flurry of golden leaves and darkening evenings. More importantly for me, the month signals a period of annual change and reflection. First and foremost, the return of the 'day job' after the long summer holidays - this has an enormous impact upon my writing routines and creativity. From this month onwards my routine will revert to weekend writing supported by the slithers of time snatched during each day. It isn't an ideal routine but it's one I can manage alongside the 'day job', enabling me to dedicate a large amount of time and effort during the weekends whilst supporting the momentum with smaller daily sessions. It's essential that I write every day, large or small, it is a must for me.  

Secondly, with the dark evenings fast approaching my hibernating gene kicks in welcoming the long cosy evenings; perfect for additional reading or plotting a new novel. Better still are the weeks leading up to November where I can muse and dream freely in preparation for NaNoWriMo 2014 - this year which I'll be participating in for the third consecutive year.

Thirdly, I usually undertake an inventory of my work for the year so far. A simple spreadsheet that details what I've written, submissions and a general reflection regards the highs and lows of my creativity. Each year I'm surprised by the things I'd created and yet forgotten about - letters, competition pieces and short stories that I meant to edit, rewrite and resubmit but didn't.

This week I took the snap decision to share my writing with another work colleague, I'm always dubious about who I tell due to a previous bad experience, some readers may remember this blog was originally called secret writer for that exact reason. Anyway, a conversation on writing occurred and I just simply couldn't lie or hold back. So I outlined my progress and current project. I was delighted that the news was greeted with genuine enthusiasm and support, which in the long run will help me to succeed by easing the pathway at the 'day job'. It made me smile that secret writer is slowly disappearing and fading into oblivion :-)

Sadly, there are always lesson to the learnt with this writing malarkey. I've always promised to be honest about my writing journey, rarely does this blog contain a negative aspect but today it does. I've had a huge lesson this weekend that I should never assume. What's the saying? Assume makes an ass of you and me - well, it didn't make an ass of me but has left me feeling let down. In our writing worlds we create little networks of writing friends who we assume will assist and support - this week I've found that one tiny group isn't as supportive of me as I have been towards them over the years. It's a realisation that comes out of the blue but hey, it makes you so grateful to those that take a genuine interest in my writing and progress. My RNA friends picked me up, brushed me down and sat me at my laptop to write. I'm sure Helen Phifer, my writing buddy, would have feed me wine and chocolates to aid recovery - sadly, I didn't need the emergency treatment for romance writers! Very rarely do I let others' effect me but today I've been saddened by the realisation, but hey, onwards and upwards.

And finally, I am currently reading Rowan Coleman's 'The Memory Book', which has recently been chosen by the Richard and Judy Book club - I have to say, it is such a beautiful read and I can't stop telling people about it. If you have the chance to read it, especially during these dark autumnal evenings, I promise you won't regret it.


 

Reading: falling in love - again!

As the title suggests, I have an announcement. I, O'Dwyer, have fallen in love with reading for the second time in my life.

The first time was as a tiny imp when my parents took me to our village's local library, which I'm proud to say, remains open. I was given three emerald coloured cardboard tickets - I can still see them as I write this, and was overwhelmed by the idea that I could choose from all those books, lined like soldiers. To cut a long story very short, my love of books began - I devoured whatever I could.  Fast forward through life, there's been an ebb and flow regards the amount of material I have consumed each year but never have I stopped reading books. Though, I've also never stopped breathing, so it figures really.

So why the falling in love, again? Well, nine years ago I decided to study for a psychology degree, and a short time after that decided to stretch my sanity to the limit by studying for an English Literature degree  - yes, alongside the psychology degree study. I know, a moment of sheer madness but hey, I completed both with decent grades! The academic reading that I had to undertake was enormous, and I recognise that I couldn't have contemplated such a feat if I hadn't already been an avid reader, but over six years the constant deadline for reading academic literature meant I hadn't much time to read for pleasure. That luxury had died, everything I read came from my pre-printed study lists filling my free-time between the day job and my writing. Let me add, I still purchased books, I couldn't resist browsing whilst shopping - a girl has to maintain her sanity in whatever form she can but, to leisurely read, consume and while away time reading anything unrelated to my study  had near enough gone. I read the odd one or two new releases, The Ghost House by my friend Helen Phifer was one such read, it took me nearly three months to complete! Shocking but true.

Arrive Thursday, 5th June 2014 my final exam for my English Literature degree. That day finally arrived and on arriving home the very first thing I did was to browse my 'To-Be-Read' bookcase. Yes, not just a pile a bookcase, which as I look across my writing room is crammed full but there's also 32 books piled on the floor in front. Anyway, I picked my first book to read for pleasure. I can't explain how good it felt to know I could take a day, a week or seven months to read the book if I wanted. No one was breathing down my neck regards study deadlines, so began my rediscovery.

Fast forward a few weeks and I am back, head over heels in love with reading but more surprising I'm loving that I'm loving it. I've been on holiday from the day job for five weeks now and I'm proud to say have devoured five books in that time. This week, I started 'Birdsong' by Faulks, I know I must be the only woman not to have read it, but hey, I was busy. I've revisited the 'Goodreads' website and updated my entries on their reading challenge, I've even joined two on-line book clubs. But most of all, I've enjoyed curling up in the armchair, with a fresh cuppa and simply reading. The simple action of turning each page excited to continue to the next has been wonderful.

So, for all the moaning over recent years that my reading habit had been destroyed by my academic study I'm actually pleased to have experienced the situation, and rediscovered my reading habit. To ensure that such joy continues I've have already chosen my next five reads:

Five beauties!

Jill Mansell - Mixed Doubles
Miranda Dickenson - Fairytale of New York              
Hazel Gaynor - The Girl Who Came Home
Rowan Coleman - The Memory Book
Pamela Hartshorne - The Memory of Midnight

Hopefully this little selection will keep me busy into Autumn.

Please feel free to comment or recommend a book, I now have time to read them x



My 'To Be Read' bookcase... and my sax!





Research, Reading and Retweeting

Hi folks, I've had a busy few weeks since the school holidays started so thought I'd drop by to update. Yesterday I spent a fanciful day at Blenheim Palace doing research for a novel - which was a welcome change from my writing room. It was my first visit to Blenheim; it certainly won't be my last. We enjoyed a champagne afternoon tea in the Indian Room which was utterly gorgeous which beat both hubby and I, forcing us to bring a selection of cakes back home. Anyway, after much chomping and slurping we spent a considerable number of hours striding about the corridors and gardens snapping everything that moved. My muse was in her element absorbing everything that could be useful or tangible.

I took a previous research trip to London a few weeks ago - spending the weekend plodding about the capital armed with a camera and dictaphone. This writing lark is all good fun - nothing is ever wasted but stored until required ;-)

Whilst off work I'd promised myself that I'd indulge my love of reading, so far I've managed to read:

Janice Preston's  Mary and the Marquis

Alison May's Sweet Nothing

And am partway through reading: PJ Nash's Triage

My next read will be Louise Marley's A Girl's Best Friend

Which brings me onto retweeting, it's a habit of mine to retweet book links, cover reveals, publication launches and reviews whenever possible. I'm selective I only ever retweet what I believe followers would be interested in. I truly feel we should always support other writers, regardless of our own publishing position - it's better than being one of the green-eyed brigade who seem hell bent on denying the competition any publishing success. Retweet like crazy and help push a novel up the charts - it feels good and authors are eternally grateful.

Time to love and leave you, so enjoy!

RNA conference, holidays and pledges

Good morning folks, I am officially on school holiday. I have six glorious weeks to write and I can't tell you how good that feels. But first, I need to share the delights of the RNA conference from last weekend. Regular followers will know this is one highlight of my year, three days of indulgence amongst my writing buddies. This year was no exception. The location was Harper Adams university in Shropshire, I arrived at 7pm after a busy day at school. As you can imagine everyone else was in the full swing of the event having arrived at 2pm. I soon caught them up :-)

The timetable of talks and events was crammed with interesting ideas, knowledge and experience - always a dilemma regards selecting which workshops to attend, whilst hoping your friends can fill you in on the ones you missed. Anyway, I attended talks given by Hazel Gaynor, Liz Harris, Nina Harrington, Jean Fullerton, Pamela Hartshorne, Alison May, Alison Baverstock, Philippa Ashley and Nell Dixon - all excellent sessions giving an insight into their writing world.

Amidst the writers' talks, the workshops and celebration are the kitchen parties that buzz each evening producing a wealth of blurry photos and endless giggles.

Saturday night gala dinner is always a delight; gorgeous food and scintillating chat amongst the writers. I was thrilled when Janice Preston won the Elizabeth Goudge trophy for the fairy tale themed short story. This is the third consecutive year that the Birmingham Chapter have either won or been placed runner up for this award.

You may remember that at last year's gala dinner four of us made pledges to be completed by this year. All four fulfilled our vows so this year every member of the Birmingham Chapter joined us in making their own pledge, which need completion before the gala at Mile End next year.

In addition to all the fun, there is the serious business of publishing, I was lucky enough to pitch my novel to a publisher, who wishes to see the full manuscript by the end of this year. I had my sights on a specific publisher and am delighted for the opportunity offered.

So, you won't be surprised to hear I'll be writing for the next 45 days! Working my little socks off to ensure my manuscript is the best it can possibly be before school begins again.

I'd best get started, I don't want a moment of freedom to escape me - enjoy!

Camp NaNo, RNA countdown and door signs

Morning world, you find me hard at work in my writing room armed with tea and biscuits. I'm making the most of a quiet Sunday morning to write. The location is now official as my beautiful door sign arrived yesterday, so no longer is this the spare room.

The week has been slightly disappointing for me regards writing; Camp Nano isn't flowing how I'd like it too and my editing hit a brick wall. The Camp Nano feels different because my buddies aren't in it, NaNo usually has me fired up as I feel I'm working in a team, sadly there is only one other that is communicating with me so it feels pretty dire. Regards the editing - that's purely a plodding situation chapter after chapter.

This time next week I'll be at the RNA Summer conference - woohoo, I can't wait! I've booked from the Friday but I won't be arriving till at least six o'clock due to the day job. But once I arrive, boy am I going to make up for lost time :-) It sounds crazy but this conference really is a delight to attend, every year I catch up with my writing buddies and meet a host of new ones. This year is a little special as I have an appointment with a publisher who I am desperate to be signed with. So, fingers crossed for me. Plus, I've entered the Elizabeth Goudge competition to be announced at the gala dinner.

Anyway, enough chatter, this gal needs to crack on and work. Love you loads x