Writing is a fairly solitary occupation – well, depending on your definition of solitary.
I do spend a lot of time sitting at my desk talking to imaginary people in my head. When I put it like that, it does sound a bit strange – but you know what I mean (I hope).
But this week was very different – and involved the things that are most important in a writer’s life – readers, book bloggers (otherwise known as wonderfully enthusiastic readers), other writers, librarians, readers and learning things. And Readers – did I mention readers?
It started last weekend with a meeting of the London chapter of the Romantic Novelists Association. The meeting was led by the fabulous Sue Moorcroft, who talked about short stories and how they can help a writer’s career.
I write short stories. In fact, you can read some of them here, but have lately let that side of my writing slide. Too Busy – that’s my excuse. Sue gave me a push in the right direction – and I AM going to find more time for short stories.
But the day wasn’t just about short stories – it was about learning something new, or rediscovering something lost. I want every book I write to be better than the one before. I really think it’s important to make time for what HR departments call ‘professional development’. One book or twenty – there’s always something new to learn.
My second outing was to the Hoddesdon Library for the Hertfordshire Libraries Litfest 16.
What a lovely afternoon it was – a full house of readers joining myself and my author chums Jean Fullerton and Liz Harris for afternoon tea to talk about – you guessed it – books.
Meeting readers is a constant joy. It reminds me of why I do what I do. It doesn’t matter if they’ve never read my books – a shared love of reading is more than enough to allow us to connect. If there was ever any doubt of that, all you had to do was listen to the volume of the chatter over the clinking of tea cups.
I love and support libraries, and Hoddesdon Library did a great job hosting this event. (The biscuits were particularly nice ).
One of the audience came up to me later and said she had taken my book out from the library. She sounded apologetic because she hadn’t bought a copy, to which I say – don’t be. Borrowing books from libraries keeps them alive… and libraries are among the most important places in any community.
And the third event of my week was at the Book Blogger/ Author Shenanigans in London – another event for people who just love books. Book bloggers are wonderful. They love reading and not only that – they love to share. They can help spread the word about an author’s books and they encourage others to join in, pick up a book and see if reading works for them. That is priceless.
It was great to meet the bloggers who have reviewed my books, and my friends’ books and have given me some suggestions for new authors I want to read. The noise level in the pub where we met was possibly so far off the scale it might even have been illegal … That says it all really.
Next week – I’m off on a writing retreat – the other end of the writers activity scale. Along with a small group of writer friends, I’ll be tucked away by the side of the Thames, getting down to the serious business of writing a new book.
And after this week, I am in just the right frame of mind to write up a storm.
