books and cake and book-cakes

It's a busy time of year in the run up to Christmas. Last night I was double booked with writing events. The previous day I'd received a lovely personal invitation, (along with writing group members) from Anthony Quinn https://www.anthonyjquinnwriter.com/ to the launch of his new book in Belfast's No Alibis bookshop. From accounts on social media it was a successful launch and I'm looking forward to reading a copy of 'The Listeners' soon.

My other writing engagement had been in my diary for several weeks. One of my writing friends https://twitter.com/IdreamofNarnia - tweeted this photo yesterday to give a flavour of what was in store.

Not only is she a talented writer- she's also a very accomplished baker. I can confirm that these fabulous book-themed cup cakes tasted even more delicious than they look - well 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' one did. The occasion was a pre-Christmas get-together with some writing friends last night, which was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Cake is a common theme that accompanies many of the writing meetings I go to - whether it's my home baked muffins or coffee shop cakes - but the prize for the best book-cakes this year has to go to Jenny!
Looking back over my writing year, one of the highlights has to be the many catch-ups I've had with fellow writers. Writing is a solitary business so meeting and chatting with other writers is important in supporting each other and learning from each other.
Another common feature in these groups is laughter - always a good barometer of team spirit. There are several times this year I have laughed so much I have cried in the company of fellow writers - usually over the antics we get up to, or the situations we have found ourselves in. And if we wrote some of these down, you wouldn't believe them! - but maybe we will at some point - exploding eggs, evictions etc....

Writers are generally nice people and I feel very blessed to be a part of two separate writing groups where I can now call these like-minded people who share their passion for writing, my friends. But, as another of my writing friends blogged earlier this week,   https://awfullybigblogadventure.blogspot.com/2018/12/on-finding-one-kelly-mccaughrain.html?spref=fb&fbclid=IwAR0ZdXLGQFuUPQDnkv8FvOFUtfzHn-TK_aP9Q5HxaLbsfXaiK6-mIAgyjbM it doesn't always work this way - which is why I feel so blessed to be part of not only one, but two such groups. Our groups are special and I look forward to seeing everyone each time we meet up.
It's also nice to have made new writing friends during the year as new members have joined the group and when my own writing has taken me to other events further afield I've also made new writing friends. So as this writing year draws to a close, thanks to everyone who is a part of these two groups - you know who you are and I look forward to many more writing adventures in 2019!