Friday 19 June 2009

Writing Buddies - A Successful Meeting Indeed!


Our third meeting at Borders and we had to breathe in to fit us all around the table! There were five new writers to welcome, three professionals and two aspiring. It is great to see that news of our little group is spreading.

The talk over the mugs of coffee ranged from the sad demise of the semi-colon to the fate of those who succumb to the flattery of some of the more unscrupulous vanity publishers. Tessa Warburg told us about her book launch and how pleased she had been with the way it was handled at Waterstones and Julia Painter was congratulated for her win in the recent Write-Invite competition (see previous blog entry). How to cope with distance learning students with poor English formed a major part of the decision at one point. Several of those sipping coffee today were tutors who had not visited Africa or India, where many of the students came from, and they sought advice on the kind of English being taught there. It was interesting to note that there was enough experience around the table to be able to offer advice. Dee Williams told us of how she started the first of her nineteen novels and the trials and tribulations she went through to get it to a publishable standard.

In all, there were fourteen writers present, representing both fiction and non-fiction, brand new and nervous to seasoned veterans. It is really good to see that Writing Buddies is becoming so popular.

Our next meeting is on Friday 3rd July at 2pm at the Borders Bookstore in Southampton, when we will be welcoming Simon Whaley with a cuppa. You are welcome to join us.

4 comments:

  1. Hi Penny

    I would like to say a big thank you for the warm welcome and wonderful afternoon. Initially I was very nervous, but as someone said, 'We all started the same way'. Thank you all as I start my journey.

    Donna

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  2. Hi Donna,
    It was great to meet you and I hope we see you again. We knew you were nervous and appreciate that you took the plunge and joined us. We have all been at that stage, so know what it's like. Now you are not alone! It's great that you enjoyed the afternoon.
    Best wishes
    Penny

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  3. Another good session - well worth the investment in time. Thanks so much for organising and for being so enthusiastic. See everyone in 2 weeks time.
    Julia

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  4. I am so glad that you feel the sessions are a good time investment, Julia. I know that a whole afternoon is a long time away from the desk, but, I think it is worth it for the networking, contacts and sheer diversity of writing related subjects we discuss. I am enthusiastic and I appreciate everyone who takes the trouble to come along and join in.
    Penny

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