Writing Friends

Writing tends to be an isolated occupation, especially when it stops being a hobby and becomes serious. When I wrote Melody for Lizzie, I spent many years writing on my own, sending the novel off to agents and publishers, but never really knowing if it was any good. I had won a short story competition run by the Sunderland Echo newspaper, so I knew that I could write well - but a novel? When it was finally taken up by a small publisher, New Era Writers Guild, I was naturally delighted. But then the whole pattern started again. I didn't know anyone else who wrote with a view to being published, and felt cut off.
     I had just moved to a village in County Durham when I met a successful novelist at a library talk. She treated me like a fellow writer, which really boosted my confidence, and she offered to take me to a meeting of the northern chapter of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

That was in 1999. It was wonderful to meet other people who were serious about writing, and penning the sort of books that I myself loved to read. The group encompassed those who'd had many books published, people like myself with a small amount of success but were wanting to build on that, and also aspiring novelists who weren't published yet. I learned about the RNA's New Writers' Scheme, which is well worth joining for those who are not yet published. For a modest fee, they get all the benefits of the organisation, along with an assessment of their work by an experienced writer with a critique. By this time, being a published author, I wan't eligible to join as a new writer, but I was wishing that I had known about it in the years when I was scribbling away with no contact with other writers. Places on the scheme are limited, so it's necessary to join up quickly in January if interested. If this appeals to you, you can find out more about it at the website of the Romantic Novelists' Association. Authors who have been published are eligible to join as full members, as I did.
The best aspect of being a member is that you get to mix with people with wide experience, and that evthe most successful authors are friendly and generous with their advice. Going to meetings  keeps the inspiration flowing, and spurs me to keep writing when other aspects of life threaten to take over. There are chapters in most parts of the country now, though I do travel for nearly two hours to the Northern Chapter meetings because the other writers have become friends. Above is a photo of some of us at our meeting near Harrogate in June, enjoying some rare sunshine before having our meal and meeting inside. In July I shall be attending the annual conference of the RNA in Sheffield, where I can indulge in a whole weekend of talks, networking and writing chat! In between events we keep in touch via an email group, which is great for those who cannot travel to the meetings.

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Interaction with other writers is good for anyone who enjoys being creative with words. There are many writers' groups around the country, either writing courses, writers' circles, or creative writing classes. If you're aiming for publication, you will want the type of group that gives you constructive criticism, so you will have to judge carefully if a particular group is right for you. But whatever you do, keep writing, and exchanging ideas - something is bound to bear fruit in the end!