Writing Round Up

It's been a busy month with several enjoyable writing related meet-ups over the last few weekends. They started off with our SCBWI Ireland zoom session when we had the pleasure of welcoming Ashwin Chacko as our guest. He was an inspiring speaker and it was good to reconnect with SCBWI members across Ireland again. That weekend also involved catching up with some writing friends for afternoon tea. It was lovely to spend time together again sharing our news.

Last weekend I met up with local children's writers and Illustrators at our Belfast SCBWI social. It was good to meet some new faces and to welcome some more familiar faces as we spent the morning in Waterstone's cafe sharing news, experiences, ideas and tips. It's great being part of this supportive group and lovely to be back meeting in person.

Later that day I caught up with Jo and Chris in The Secret Bookshelf. Although they'd been rushed off their feet all day (it was the first day of Independent Bookshop Week) we had a good chat, including discussing some exciting plans (more news about those in due course) and I left with a bag full of books including a goody bag.

Yesterday I was back with my writing pals in Coney. Over summer berry muffins and coffee we shared our news, made plans and worked hard under Maddie's guidance.

The writing exercises were difficult because they really made us think about how we tend to describe objects and how we can improve our writing craft in this area.

And the added bonus of beautiful sunshine made this a perfect way to spend a morning. For a bit of fun, I totalled up the number of people in the writing community I've connected with directly so far this month. I was surprised that the total was as high as 77. I feel very fortunate to know 77 other writers, illustrators and creatives and privileged that I am part of a number of groups which are nurturing and supportive.

Independent Bookshop Week

It's time to support your local independent bookstore. 

Yesterday Independent Bookshop Week kicked off and I paid a visit to my local bookshop. They are such Aladdin's caves with treasures waiting to be discovered in every nook and cranny. As well as having a lovely chat with The Secret Bookshelf 's owners Jo and Chris, I came away  with a goody bag and a few more books than planned (nothing new there!)

I also treated myself to a 'blind date with a book'  - you can select a wrapped up book based on the hand written description 

not knowing the author or title. I did have a go at guessing some but was stumped with this one so I picked it.

When I returned home I couldn’t wait to open it - it was like receiving an unexpected present. It's been added to the TBR pile, while I'm currently reading this fabulous YA book written by one of my writing friends. 

I missed Jenny's book launch at our local bookshop a couple of months ago so was really glad to catch up with her yesterday to get my copy signed.

There are loads of events on throughout this week at local independent bookshops - check them out - you won't regret it.

Bank holiday sunshine

It's another bank holiday weekend  - the third this month and even better that the sun has been shining so we can get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather.  The long weekend got off to a fine start yesterday when I was back with my writing pals at Coney Island. 

Over homemade blueberry and ginger muffins and coffee we caught up on each other's news (and there's always lots to catch up on) and watched boats heading out on adventures on a sea sparkling in the sunshine.

We did some writing exercises to keep those creative minds ticking over, shared some of our work and received helpful feedback. After catching up on more news over lunch we departed buzzing with inspiration and ideas and enthused and supported on our writing projects. 

We didn't leave empty handed - I'm now the proud owner of some back issues of The Author which I've been dipping into. There are some interesting articles about contracts, which I'm finding very useful. The weather is looking good for the rest of the long weekend so you're likely to find me in the garden reading these magazines with my coffee and a wee bun.

Coney beach, far away in time

Earlier I had a lovely Bank Holiday Saturday morning with my writing pals at Coney, including Maddie and muffins. While the mist was enveloping Belfast and heavy rain was making driving difficult on our way there, the sun was shining at Coney. Often it feels like a magical, mythical place and today was special.

Armed with freshly baked blueberry and ginger muffins I made my way to Coney to meet up with my writing pals. As we scoffed goodies and coffee we caught up on each others' news - some very exciting! 

Maddie had some challenging writing exercises for us today, which really made us think. All of these exercises are invaluable in improving and honing our work. Along with the encouragement and support from fellow writers, time spent at Coney is always special.

I always come away from this writing group enthused and invigorated for my writing and today was no different.

And knowing I'll be back at Coney beach someday will help sustain the momentum until then.

World Book Night Eve

On the eve of World Book Night I'm planning on spending some time over this wet weekend getting caught up on the books I'm currently reading. I'm loving all three books so choosing which one to read will be difficult. What are you reading?

A turn in the weather has forced me back indoors after some gorgeous sunshine earlier in the month when I was able to read and write outdoors again. It definitely felt like spring was on the way. And it definitely feels like things are getting back to normal again. It's hard to believe that three years ago we were confined to our gardens.

Over the last few weeks I've been back at the theatre a couple of times catching two superb productions at Belfast's Grand Opera House. The Ocean at the End of the Lane based on Neil Gaiman's novel was amazing and Titanic the Musical was brilliant. It was lovely to get back to first class theatre in person again.

And this week I took part in a networking event hosted by NI Screen's Ulster Scots Broadcasting Fund getting to meet other creatives and hear what they're working on. It was lovely to be back meeting people in person again. Now to get on with some writing......

Lucky ducks

There was still a substantial amount of snow lying yesterday when I set off to meet up with my writing pals in Coney.

While we'd made Plan B preparations (meeting virtually by Zoom) due to the weather, it was good that a milder day was melting the snow. Driving down to Coney we saw the countryside in a new light - alongside dirty piles of slush, there remained untainted drumlin slopes and of course the majestic Mournes still covered in a blanket of snow. It. was beautiful. But any snow at Coney was long gone by the time we arrived. 

We were welcomed by a blast of icy briny air - deinitely blowing away any remaining cobwebs.

The morning flew in as we talked about projects we're all working on, provided feedback to each other and I shared some insights from the recent SCBWI virtual winter conference.

Fuelled by blueberry muffins and coffee we worked and watched the wildlife through the window.  Ducks flying past in formation reminded us we are lucky ducks to be part of this supportive writing group.

Belfast, Brussels, New York

It's been great to spend time doing some of my favourite writerly things over the past couple of weeks and really good to get back to more in-person events. Zoom meetings definitely still have their place in shrinking the world and making opportunities accessible anywhere.

Last weekend it was great to meet up with local writers in Belfast at our SCBWI social - the first time we've had a get together for three years. It was lovely to see familiar faces again over coffee and a cake. Even though we've kept in touch online, it's not the same as meeting together. It was good to hear what everyone is working on and how we've managed to keep writing (or not) since we last met up.

While it's great to get back to the way things were pre- pandemic, there are definitely some advantages to online meet-ups. One evening during the week I was able to take part in a SCBWI online webinar with a literary agent based in Brussels. 

And yesterday I was able to attend the SCBWI winter virtual conference in New York. It was a wonderful opportunity to hear the speakers and while not quite the same as a trip to the big apple, I didn't need to worry about flight connections, jetlag or lost luggage 😀.

Yesterday morning I took part in a poetry workshop in Belfast as part of the LookNorth Festival. Again it was lovely to be at an in-person event with other local writers. There is energy in a room you can't capture on a Zoom call. Ably led by local poet Maureen Boyle we had a very enjoyable morning inspired by art.

I can see the benefits of both the in-person and the zoom meetings and hope this hybrid approach will be the way forward. How else could I have arrived in New York from Belfast on time?

In between on a busy but thoroughly enjoyable writing day, I managed to #squeezeinaread - even if only for a little time.