There's something really fabulous about spending a weekend with other writers. No-one thinks you're crazy for wanting to write and no-one thinks you're wasting your time. In fact everyone offers complete support and is interested in what you're currently writing.
I had the opportunity this weekend to meet some people I've only ever spoke to online and some people who write work that I totally love. So hello to Gemma Jackson, the minxes Lorraine, Romy and Joanne, everyone who stayed in the fabulous Scots corridor in part 15 of the building, Jane Holland (who has had a gorgeous haircut) and all the other great people I met this weekend.
Special hello to Kate Walker and her lovely husband Stephen, Kate Hardy with the great ipad, Sarah Morgan, Nina Harrington (who told me how she got her writing name) and Anne Fraser. Thank you for your support and great advice you all gave to me over the weekend.
Here's a pic of me looking starstruck with Kate Walker.
I learnt loads at the conference but although all the workshops were great the best part was definitely the socialising with the other writers. I had arranged a 10 minute appointment with the editor I've been working with at Mills and Boon but she actually took me out for a drink later and spent a lot of time talking to me. This week I will get some more revisions from her, she was very enthusiastic about my writing and hopefully I will have good news in the future.
I also had a real shock when Katie Fforde gave me an honorary mention at the Saturday barbeque for the short story I had written with an anniversary theme. I choked on my wine and sat with a smile plastered on my face thinking to myself "I can tell people that Katie Fforde read my story."
However here is a picture of Elizabeth our worthy winner and Jo. Followed by some of the Scots contingent Jenny and Lorna.
Can't wait for next year!