Have you ever considered going to a writer’s event and changed your mind?
I forget how many writing events I’ve attended over the years. Some have been high-profile events such as Winchester Writers’ Conference, many have been workshops in village halls and community centres; some have been author talks in bookshops, large and small. I started to develop my writing by attending a writers’ group in a nearby market town. Then there were the adult education classes, the weekend workshops, the literary festivals – and I got something from every single event – even if it was a startling realisation of what NOT to do. I found a myriad of methods to kick-start my writing and a plethora of ways to keep writing. I tried and failed, I kept trying and kept failing – until I met with success.
I still meet with failure and I’ve learned to pick myself up and start again. Oh, the power of editing.
Are you prepared to invest in your writing ?
Lots of writers are afraid to invest in their writing, they regard it as pointless. After all, you can learn almost anything from a book – including how to write one. But nothing can replace talking to real people, networking with others in the same boat as you are. You may find something useful, some small nugget of gold plated information that suddenly sends you rushing back to your work in progress with a clearer eye.
Please don’t think of your writing as not worth it. It is worth it. If you are writing anything at all, it’s great to share your journey with others. I always leave these events feeling more positive and with a renewed energy for my project.