FOUR FUN WAYS OF BUILDING WRITING RESILIENCE

Those who follow me on social media will know I’m delighted to be one of ten authors to receive a Scottish Book Trust New Writers’ Award for 2022, which includes mentoring, a fabulous writing retreat, the opportunity to read before agents and publishers, and more. When I received the all-important phone call, I burst into tears– that is how much this award means to me! 

But as my writing friends also know, this kind of writing recognition hasn’t happened overnight. I have been novel writing for years but lacked the confidence to send manuscripts to agents and publishers. That pesky voice in my head kept sneering that my writing was no good. 

Then the pandemic hit and writing courses I was previously unable to attend, suddenly appeared online. Fed up with berating myself about long form fiction, I gave flash fiction writing a go — with the aim of getting used to writerly rejection! And yes, I’ve received rejections aplenty, but I was amazed to enjoy successes too – longlisted, shortlisted, publication, wins. However, none of this would have happened if I’d given in to those whispers of doubt. And, as sure as rain falls in springtime, those whispers will return. So... 

HOW TO BUILD WRITING RESILIENCE?

 

DEVELOP A NETWORK 

Writing, for the most part, is a solitary activity, but writing friends are IMPORTANT, especially when it comes to helping us bounce back. They don’t have to write in the same genre, or even the same form, but, hackneyed as it sounds, writers’ benefit from belonging to a tribe. Only other creatives truly understand this mad compulsion to keep writing, even when the odds against publication are mountainously high. 

Author friends are also brilliant cheerleaders helping celebrate when things go well – finishing a draft, having a manuscript accepted, signing a film option! (We’ve got to keep dreaming!) Being a part of the Novel Points of View community is fun, checking in with writing friends each week, keeping up with travels (Kath) and hedgehogs (John). I also rely heavily on friendships forged via the Romantic Novelists’ Association, Lifelong Learning Dundee, Retreat West, Aberdeen Writers’ Studio and more (please give your writing friend networks a shout out in the comments). If this all sounds hard work, remember to take things slowly, all you need is ONE loyal friend! 

'A day without a friend is like a pot without
a single drop of honey left inside'
Winnie the Pooh

WRITING WORKSHOPS 

Writing workshops teach us how to strengthen our craft – often by reading and analysing other writers. But how do workshops help build resilience? Well, as well as receiving friendly feedback, tightening prose, which should translate into less rejection, I learn from others’ mistakes, reminding me that no writing is perfect, and that we are all just doing our best. Workshops are also a great way of making friends (see tip 1!) 

Writing Workshops, a great way to make friends
 - both in person and online...

BOOK GROUPS 

Choose the right book group and they are not only interesting as a reader, but are useful for writers too. My group often selects authors that are new to me, discussion is lively and although I mostly enjoy the books chosen, even when I come across a challenging read, I still learn from having spent time with the characters. In short, it’s a fantastic reminder that not all readers enjoy the same style of writing, or put another way, we can’t please all the people, all the time. All I can do is to keep writing and hope that, eventually, my work will find the right home. 

SHAKE THINGS UP – 

TRY A NEW GENRE/ FORM/ PROMPT/COMPETITION 

Remember that pesky internal voice I mentioned? Well, it's still here but I’ve found a way to trick it! I take a break from my work-in-progress and try something new – a new genre/ new form/ new prompt/ new competition. I’m just experimenting, right? There is no reason for the voice to get upset, because I already know that what I am producing is rough, fresh off the press. It doesn’t need to harp on! That way, I write, and my pesky little internal voice gets a rest! 

 I am reminded of the words of Maya Angelou — 

 So, thank you to ALL my beautiful butterfly friends. 

 Happy writing!

Rae x

An End of Year Post! or “How Was It For You?”

I don’t think many of us will look back on 2021 with unalloyed joy! We almost have a duty to look forward to 2022, in the not-very-convincing expectation that it won’t at least be worse!

Personally, my year has been bound by the forced realisation that I’m no spring chicken – no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise. Sadly, my titanium knee has started to degrade, much as I expected. I also have been made acutely aware of how much my energy levels have fallen. To put it in a nutshell, my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went! All this has been coupled with an equally savage falling off with my OHs health. As someone said, “Growing old is no game for cissies!”

One thing that makes it worse is that neither myself nor my OH are in the first flush of youth. Realistically, we don’t have that many years left (not complaining – just do the maths) and that’s two years now of lost and missed opportunities, mostly involving our granddaughter, then family and friends. Still, its no use trying to blame a virus. They are notoriously unsympathetic!

However, and this is the important bit, – NONE of this is going to stop me trying to wring every ounce of joy from every single incident, on every day of the year! I urge you all to do the same.

May All YOUR Tests Be Negative!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch……

Andrew Holgate, Literary Editor of the Times and Sunday Times, produced a list of the Best Books of the Year for “Every Genre”. In so doing he left off the LARGEST genre of all – Romance, in any of its tropes!

Like many friends who write, I was appalled by the pure snobbishness on display. Thankfully, the wonderful RNA strode in to bat for ALL of us authors of romance. Their letter is in the link.(I signed it too)

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/rna-writes-open-letter-sunday-times-after-romantic-fiction-excluded-best-books-roundup-1294270

Andrew Holgate himself seems to have gone to ground since he penned his original article. However, the RNA is made of sterner stuff. Four of their more successful members produced this excellent article:

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/2021/12/love-in-the-time-of-snobbery/

Thankyou to Milly Johnson, Phillipa Ashley, Heidi Swain and Rowal Coleman. Kudos to all! 

The article has garnered support from all quarters, This very readable riposte came through Harper Collins Australia, penned by https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaBrookmn

https://www.harpercollins.com.au/blog/2021/12/15/victoria-brookman-in-defence-of-womens-fiction/

 I also urge you all to keep up the struggle to stop the literary world ignoring what they like to label “Women’s Fiction!” I will continue the campaign mounted by the Romantic Novelists Association to bring the genre – OUR genre - to its rightful place. I also urge any writer whose work can be described as Romance – of any sort, or in any of its multitudinous tropes, to join the Romantic Novelists Association. Together we are stronger!

https://romanticnovelistsassociation.org/membership/

You and I can help by using the hashtag #RespectRomFic on ALL your book-related posts, whether in Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Remember, Caring is SHARING!

💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

To close, for the New Year – 2022 - and still “Next Year” at the time of writing, there is always hope. We have been lucky here in that we haven’t, as far as we know, lost any friends or family to the virus. For that we are truly thankful.

Have a fantastic 2022 ! 

FLASH FICTION TUTORING

Something that constantly surprises me about writing are the unexpected turns that take your work in a whole new direction. As those who have read my last few blog posts will know, this year, for me, has been about shorter pieces. Mostly focusing on both learning about and writing flash fiction. I have even been lucky enough to have pieces published by the likes of the Bath Flash Fiction Award, Retreat West, Cranked Anvil Press, the Romantic Novelists’ Association magazine and Ellipsis Zine (to name a few). 

M:ADE 

So, I was delighted when M:ADE (Moray, Arts, Development, Engagement) asked if I would consider offering a series of flash fiction workshops, working with visual artist, Lynne Strachan of Curious Cranberry, as well as filmmaker, Jason Sinclair of Poppycock Films. The initial hope was that our workshops would be delivered now (in the autumn), but due to the pesky virus, we are now looking towards spring. 

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SCHEME 

However, that initial enquiry was quickly followed by a second, when a young student, interested in developing flash fiction writing as a skill for her Duke of Edinburgh award, asked if I could help. For those outside the United Kingdom, not familiar with the Duke of Edinburgh Award, it is a voluntary scheme for young adults, which helps them develop new interests and talents. 

COULD I TUTOR? 

As an enthusiastic believer in lifelong learning, of course I said ‘yes’ to both... Then the doubt set in. Did I know enough? Who did I think I was offering flash fiction workshops? What if what I offered wasn’t good enough? Or worse, boring! Could I make flash fiction writing fun? 

There was only one way to find out. I set about creating timetables, researching what should be included, remembering the focus of the M:ADE project, as well as the interests of my young Duke of Edinburgh student. The good news is that once I’d pulled material together, I had far more lesson plans than I needed.

A month on, and I love discovering new writers, sharing stories, focusing on writing craft with my Duke of Edinburgh student. Preparing the weekly sessions, hearing a young person’s creative ideas is inspiring. I’m learning loads too! 

WHAT'S NEXT?

So far, these sessions have all been in-person, but over the past couple of years, I’ve attended numerous online workshops and masterclasses. Who knows, maybe one day I will develop an online class too! 

There is still so much I need to explore about flash fiction – writing in different genre, attempting humorous pieces, how to create an anthology and, perhaps in time, write a novella-in-flash etc. It’s a form that encourages experimentation and pushes literary boundaries, meaning it is an exciting community to be a part of. 

That’s the beauty of a creative life, there are always new ways to stretch and grow. So, has your creativity taken you along an unexpected path? And if so, what did you learn? 

Happy creating!

Rae x

The RNA Virtual Conference 2021

 
The Romantic Novelists' Association holds a yearly writers' conference. It's a great opportunity for members of the RNA, both established authors and aspiring writers of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme, to meet up with agents, editors and other industry professionals for talks, workshops and some social networking. There is also an opportunity to book a 10 minute pitching slot with an agent or editor. This is an amazing opportunity for any writer seeking representation or hoping to further their career.

The RNA conference is usually held at a venue suitable to cater for guests travelling from afar.  The University of Lancaster and Leeds Trinity University have both been used in the past. For members of the RNA, the weekend in July is one of the highlights of the RNA's calendar and I have always wanted to go, but due to my business commitments, a weekend away during the summer was not possible. However, in late 2019 things changed on the home-front and I was free to attend, but then Covid struck and everything was transferred to online. It didn't seem the same so I didn't attend in 2020, but this year I made it a priority to find out what the conference was all about, albeit from the comfort of my own home. I saw my attendance to the online event as a precursor to the real one... a sort of dipping my toe in the water before I dived in next year!

I enjoyed the experience, which ran from late Thursday afternoon to Saturday evening. Each talk had a private zoom link and was well attended, with nil technical glitches as far as I was aware, which is a miracle in itself. Below is a summary of my experience with bullet points of the advice I took away from the talks.

Thursday

Practice Makes Pitch Perfect
Approximately twelve (brave) authors pitched their novels to agents Juliet Pickering, Kate Burke and Sian Ellis-Martin from the Blake Friedmann Agency, who subsequently offered feedback. I say brave, as they pitched in front of the audience, whereas pitches are usually private one-on-one meetings. This was an excellent opportunity to see how others do it and put the intense experience into perspective.

The feedback was informative and specific to each pitch but the general advice was:-
Be positive and enthusiastic about your novel.
Be clear about what the story is about.
Don't get bogged down in what emotions you want your story to convey to the reader. Agents are interested in the plot and your ability to write and the emotions will follow but only if the first two elements are there.

Friday

121 Pitches
Those attending had the opportunity to pitch to an agent or editor. Needless to say, the demand for these slots was huge, as was the administration task to sort out the hundreds of requests received. Those lucky enough to be allocated a pitch was provided with a zoom link for the ten minute slot and instructions to submit the first chapter, synopsis and cover letter prior to the event. If the agent or editor liked the premises of the story, saw potential in working collaboratively with the writer and loved the writing style, they could request a full manuscript to assess its potential further. It will be several weeks, even months, before successful pitches become more public, and those writers will be the lucky few. However, all writers will have been given feedback and advice on their submission from a professional in the industry, which is like gold dust in itself.

Saturday

Building a Writer's Resilience
Hosted by author Nicola Cornick, international best selling author, Dinah Jefferies, shared her experience of building resilience and revealed that even best selling writers can suffer from self-doubt, lack of confidence and impostor syndrome.

Below is a summary of the advice given:-
Bad trauma and experience can be used positively by adding authenticity to one's writing.
Take time out and look after yourself. Not all pressures are external, they can be internal too.
Train yourself not to compare yourself to others.
Regarding feelings of jealousy, be aware that we don't really know what is going on in other people's lives.
A writing career is up and down for everyone.
Rejection is hard. Research who you pitch to to reduce the possibility. While waiting don't stress, just write another book to occupy you.
Don't read reviews, you'll only remember the bad ones.

A talk about the role of the agent followed from agent Felicity Trew. It was packed with information and Felicity's enthusiasm for her job shone through.

Screenwriter and senior lecturer, Marie Macneill, walked us through The Proposal film, using the key plot points to show us how to structure your rom com to create movie magic.

Award winning author Fiona Lucas discussed the anatomy of a scene, followed by Rhea Kurien, editorial director of Orion Dash,who explained how digital publishing works.

The weekend ended with author and podcast host, Dorothy Koomson, chatting with Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award winner Beverly Jenkins. Beverly's wise words, delivered in a calm, no nonsense way, was a joy to listen to as she chatted about her life and how, as a youth, she devoured history from the journals of her local library. As a writer, she hopes her books educate readers about the real history of black people, whilst at the same time they enjoy a romantic read. Author of over forty novels, with decades of writing behind her and a deep love of history, Beverly Jenkins knows what she is talking about. "I was black before it became fashionable," she said at one point. This interview is well worth a listen when it is finally uploaded onto The Happy Author podcast. 

I hope I will have the opportunity to attend the RNA conference in person in the future, in the meantime I shall take on board all the advice given and channel it into my writing career for the future. Writing is a continual journey of gaining experience and wisdom, whether its from the research you do, from your own successes or failures, or gaining knowledge from your peers. The RNA conference is one of many opportunities available to a writer The advice may or may not be used, but the trick is not to be too proud, arrogant or stubborn to listen to it in the first place.

As for the partying and social networking... well enjoying a drink (or two)  with other members of the RNA will have to wait until the time we finally meet face to face again.

Victoria Cornwall

The Month Of Love & Hashtags

February... the month of love! Not only do we have Valentine's Day, but we also have the Romantic Novelists' Association's month long celebration of romantic fiction! Now I know this is the last week of February and you may feel it is too late to mention the celebrations, but hashtags have the added benefit of not only following posts and suggestions in real time, but you can also look back on previous social media conversations. So let's not waste any more time... come with me and explore what has been happening in the world of romance...

On 1st February, 2021 The Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) announced the shortlists for their prestigious 2021 Romantic Novel Awards. This event is the only national literary awards to solely focus on rewarding excellence in romantic fiction, so I am thrilled that Daniel's Daughter is a finalist in the Historical Romantic Novel Award category. Yes... that's me, top right in the red cardigan and beads!

The presentations of the awards will be held at an online event on the 8th March, 2021. It will start at 7pm and the awards will be presented by actor and presenter, Larry Lamb. You can watch it live, a link to the event will be posted nearer the time here or on the RNA's Twitter, Facebook Page or Instagram Page.

The sub-genre shortlists and awards are below:- 

The Katie Fforde Debut Romantic Novel Award:
Cow Girl, Kirsty Eyre, HarperCollins UK
The Bookshop of Second Chances, Jackie Fraser, Simon & Schuster
The Silent Treatment, Abbie Greaves, Century, Cornerstone
This Is Not a Love Story, Mary Hargreaves, Trapeze
A New Life for Ariana Byrne, Liz Hurley, Hera Books
The Authenticity Project, Clare Pooley, Bantam Press

The Libertà Books Shorter Romantic Novel Award:
A Will, a Wish and a Wedding, Kate Hardy, Mills & Boon True Love
The Warrior Knight and the Widow, Ella Matthews, Mills & Boon Historical
The Day That Changed Everything, Catherine Miller, Bookouture
Second Chance for the Single Mum, Sophie Pembroke, Mills & Boon True Love
The Return of the Disappearing Duke, Lara Temple, Mills & Boon Historical
Cinderella and the Surgeon, Scarlet Wilson, Mills & Boon Medical

The Romantic Saga Award:
The Girl from the Tanner’s Yard, Diane Allen, Pan
The Variety Girls, Tracy Baines, Ebury
The Ops Room Girls, Vicki Beeby, Canelo
Bobby’s War, Shirley Mann, Bonnier Books UK
The Orphan’s Daughter, Sandy Taylor, Bookouture
Secrets of the Lavender Girls, Kate Thompson, Hodder & Stoughton

The Romantic Comedy Novel Award:
The Garden of Forgotten Wishes, Trisha Ashley, Bantam Press
Someday at Christmas, Lizzie Byron, Hodder & Stoughton
Christmas at the Island Hotel, Jenny Colgan, Sphere, Little, Brown
One Winter’s Night, Kiley Dunbar, Hera Books
Sunny Days and Sea Breezes, Carole Matthews, Sphere, Little, Brown
The Switch, Beth O’Leary, Quercus

The Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award:
The Forgotten Sister, Nicola Cornick, HQ
The House by the Sea, Louise Douglas, Boldwood Books
Death Comes to Cornwall, Kate Johnson, Dash Digital, Orion
The Twins, Jane Lark, One More Chapter, HarperCollins
Escape to the Little Chateau, Marie Laval, Choc Lit

The Fantasy Romantic Novel Award:
Echoes of the Runes, Christina Courtenay, Headline Review
The Start of Us, Hannah Emery, One More Chapter, HarperCollins
The Reluctant Witch, Amelia Hopegood, Independently Published
The Cornish Connection, Amanda James, Independently Published
Someday in Paris, Olivia Lara, Aria, Head of Zeus

The Goldsboro Books Contemporary Romantic Novel Award:
Where We Belong, Anstey Harris, Simon & Schuster
My One True North, Milly Johnson, Simon & Schuster
One Day in Summer, Shari Low, Boldwood Books
Eudora Honeysett is Quite Well, Thank You, Annie Lyons, One More Chapter, HarperCollins
Christmas for Beginners, Carole Matthews, Sphere, Little, Brown
The Little Shop in Cornwall, Helen Pollard, Bookouture
Mix Tape, Jane Sanderson, Bantam Press
The Takeover, T L Swan, Montlake
The Spark, Jules Wake, One More Chapter, HarperCollins

The Goldsboro Books Historical Romantic Novel Award:
Heartbreak in the Valleys, Francesca Capaldi, Hera Books
The Coming of the Wolf, Elizabeth Chadwick, Sphere, Little, Brown
Spirited, Julie Cohen, Orion Fiction
Daniel’s Daughter, Victoria Cornwall, Choc Lit (THIS IS ME!!!)
The French Wife, Diney Costeloe, Head of Zeus
People Like Us, Louise Fein, Head of Zeus
The Lost Lights of St Kilda, Elisabeth Gifford, Corvus
Rags-to-Riches Wife, Catherine Tinley, Mills & Boon Historical
The Skylark’s Secret, Fiona Valpy, Lake Union Publishing

The Sapere Books Popular Romantic Fiction Award
Sing Me a Secret, Julie Houston, Aria, Head of Zeus
Christmas Wishes, Sue Moorcroft, Avon
Sunny Days and Sea Breezes, Carole Matthews, Sphere, Little, Brown
A Perfect Cornish Escape, Phillipa Ashley, Avon
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, Josie Silver, Penguin

The rest of February was spent supporting the allies of romantic fiction as well as promoting its diversity.

Love My Library Week, 1st -7th February
Authors and readers shared their library stories in support of their local library.
Hashtag #LoveMyLibraryWeek

Celebrating Independent Bookshops Week, 8th – 14th February
Authors and readers posted about their bookshop heroes and why they love them.
Hashtag #LoveMyIndieBookshopWeek

Celebrating Diversity in Love, 15th – 21st February
5th February. Authors and readers shared book recommendations written by authors, or feature characters, from the LGBTQIA+ community.
17th February. Authors and readers shared book recommendations which are written by authors, or feature main characters, who have a multicultural heritage. 
19th February. Authors and readers shared book recommendations written by authors, or include main characters, who are living with disabilities/chronic conditions.
Hashtag #RNADiverseLoveWeek

Celebration of romance authors and book bloggers, 22nd – 28th February
22nd February. RNA members of the organisation shared their thoughts on what the RNA means to them.
Hashtag #TheRNAAndMe
24th February, at 7pm. Live Event. Author, book blogger and head of publicity at Bookouture, Kim Nash, interviewed a panel of RNA award-winning book bloggers on the RNA Facebook page. Check out the page as the video might still be there!
25th February. Authors and readers shared their favourite books by independent authors.
Hashtag #RNAIndieAuthors.

I hope you enjoyed this retrospective look back on the Month of Love. Do you know of any other category, group or sub-genre the romance industry should celebrate? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Celebrating 60 Years of the RNA

In the year Penguin Books was found not guilty of obscenity in the Lady Chatterley's Lover legal case, something else significant was happening in the romantic fiction world.

Frustration had been brewing for some time that the romance genre was not being shown the same respect awarded to other genres. It was often felt that romantic fiction writers were seen as the poor relation in the literary world and their readers treated with equal contempt.

Determined to celebrate and promote romantic fiction, and gain the respect the genre deserved, authors Denise Robins, Barbara Cartland, Elizabeth Goudge, Netta Muskett, Catherine Cookson and Rosamunde Pilcher founded The Romantic Novelists Association.

Over the decades, the RNA has grown in author membership. Today it also welcomes publishing professionals, booksellers, book reviewers and writers who are published in other media formats. The widening of their membership is not the only change the RNA has made in recent times, and it is thanks to its ability to constantly evolve that has helped to make it still relevant and popular today.

As well as hosting numerous workshops, talks and networking events, it also organises the Romantic Fiction Awards and the Industry Awards. Although celebrating current authors is important, the discovery of new talent is paramount for keeping the romantic genre thriving. In order to encourage new writers, the RNA runs the New Writers Scheme, which offers advice and support to unpublished writers. Places are limited so my advice is to apply early.

My first RNA event, where I was a finalist in the Joan Hessayon Award.

In recent years, the RNA has launched a range of initiatives and bursaries to encourage membership regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, social background, nationality, income level and disability. These inclusive initiatives helps provide diversity within the association and genre which both members and readers of romantic fiction can benefit from.

Romantic fiction is a wide genre as it includes many sub-categories which can appeal to a wide audience. Yet, arguably, the genre could still be shown a little more respect so the RNA's work is not done yet and they will continue to support and promote romantic fiction.

This year the RNA is celebrating their 60th anniversary and this February they are launching their first ever Romance Reading Month. Below is a brief timetable of what is ahead...

1st-7th February follow the #lovemylibaryweek #romancereadingmonth hashtag on Twitter as authors of romance share their library visits with you.

On the 9th February, the RNA is celebrating LGBQT+ books. So watch out for some great reads online.

A week later, on 14th February, the RNA will officially launch their Romantic Fiction Book Club on Facebook. It is open to readers and authors, so if you enjoy romantic fiction, why not give it a try?

Join in the fun with RNA members on 23rd February and share your review of a romantic read using the hashtag #Dimondreviewday

Finally, on the 23rd February, follow #romancereadingmonth #Iloveromance or/and #RNA60 as authors of romance will be sharing their favourite romantic reads via videoclips and pictures. I've done one, so watch out for it on Twitter or Facebook to see what my recommendation is!

These are only a few of the many events planned for February, so keep an eye out and follow @RNAtweets to join in the fun.

So what benefit have I received from being a member of the RNA? This year, in the 6th decade of the RNA, my 6th novel will be published. The cover reveal was on Tuesday, 11th February and it will be published on 24th March. Here it is!

My career as a traditionally published author began as a direct result of being a member of the RNA's New Writers' Scheme. It was their encouragement and the support from friends I had met through the association, which motivated me to submit my manuscript to agents and publishers again. As a result, I secured my first publishing contract. So Happy Birthday to the Romantic Novelists' Association, and thank you.

So while the Romantic Novelists' Association was taking its first breath in 1960, what happened to the censored book, Lady Chatterley's Lover? As a result of winning the court case, the original version of Lady Chatterley's Lover was no longer banned from public sale. Readers flocked to their bookshops and it ended up selling 200,000 copies in just one day. It has now become a classic.

Although the publicity surrounding the court case helped with the boost in sales, I think we can all agree that the majority of people enjoy a bit of romance in their lives... and escaping into the world of romantic fiction is one of the best places to find it.

By Victoria Cornwall 

IGNITING OUR PASSION by Victoria Cornwall

This week has been a busy time for me. At the beginning of the week I took part in the St.Ives Literary Festival and at the end of the week I was in London attending the Romantic Novelists' Association's Summer Party as I (and my debut novel The Thief's Daughter) was a contender for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award. I enjoyed the events immensely as they both involve my passion for fiction.

Books have always played a major role in my life. My mother read to me as a child until I graduated to being able to read to myself. Like most British children, I learnt to read through the use of the Ladybird's Key Words Reading Scheme which was used by British primary schools throughout the 60s and 70s. Specially designed for children, the 36 small hard-backed, illustrated books used a reduced vocabulary to help children learn to read and, for some, built the foundation of a love for books that would last for the rest of their lives. However, there was one book in particular which turned on a light-bulb in my head and made me aware that reading a book could be quite magical. In other words, it ignited my passion for reading.

Charlotte's Web, by E.B.White was the first book I borrowed from the junior section of my primary school's library, which was quite a memorable occasion in itself. It was also my first novel, again another first. I proudly took it home and devoured every page.  For the first time I felt quite grown-up as I read the story to myself ... no more reading out loud to practice my reading skills for me!

I loved Charlotte's Web. I identified with the setting (I also lived on a farm) and the little heroine called Fern, however this farm was very different to my own. In Charlotte's Web, the animals could speak, had personalities and faced great hurdles. I experienced a range of emotions as I followed Wilbur and Charlotte's story and I still have a vivid memory of holding it in my hand, when I was about to return it to the library shelf, and thinking how amazing a good book could be. It was truly magical and, on that day, my love of books began in earnest.

I asked my fellow contributors on the Novel Points of View blog to share their light-bulb moment and here are the books they shared with me.

Gill Stewart

I’ve chosen Enid Blyton’s ‘Those Dreadful Children’ as my light-bulb book. We had a tattered old hardback edition which I loved and read over and over again. I think what was special about it was that it made me realise that different people saw the same things in different ways. That was a real wow! moment – and a very useful one for a future writer.

In this book, a harum-scarum family move in next door to a prim and proper family. Both sets of children think the others are ‘those dreadful children’. And, as a reader, you can see exactly why they irritate each other so much. But gradually they become friendly and have to work out ways to accommodate each other’s differences. It might be a children’s book, but it probably has a lot to teach adults, too, especially in the current climate!

Linda Mitchelmore

I don’t remember having a light-bulb moment from reading as a child – I used to read so much and my mother took me to the library every Saturday. Woe betide me if I hadn’t read the books I’d selected the week before. Sometimes, I would have to get an extension on the loan and take it out a second time, getting the little card stamped with the date. What I do remember is loving the non-fiction section as much, if not more, than the children’s fiction section which wasn’t very big in those days. There were some books in there where the paper was tissue-paper thin, and crackled when you turned the pages. Leather bound. Of course, as they were in the adult section I couldn’t take them out with my Junior Library card. But I used to linger. I think, on reflection, it was the feel and smell of books that got me hooked. I still use Paignton Library although its moved from its first floor venue in the old Liberal Party headquarters to a swanky new site near the railway station. Cafe on site – what’s not to like!

Rae Cowie

The first books I remember receiving and treating with great reverence were Twinkle annuals, which, to my delight, magically appeared in my stocking on Christmas morning. I adored all their covers, but the one that sticks in my memory showed Twinkle twirling as a ballerina. Long before I could read, I would row up my teddies, who made for a particularly appreciative audience, prop a Twinkle annual in my lap, and compose stories, which vaguely fitted the pictures.

But the two series that really fired my passion for reading, were both written by Enid Blyton – The Secret Seven and The Famous Five. I loved the adventures of The Secret Seven but longed to belong to the Famous Five. Living along the coast of north-east Scotland, our village had both sandy and rocky beaches, a natural stone stairway known as the Giant Steps, a hermit’s cave to explore, a disused railway station, walks in the grounds of an abandoned stately home, woods surrounding a loch and more... If only Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog would visit Cullen – there were so many places for them to discover! Since joining the Famous Five wasn’t an option, I cajoled my best friend to join me on picnics, long cycle rides, hikes to a temple monument which sat atop a local hill – always on the lookout for a Famous Five mystery-style adventure. So perhaps it was no surprise that when I began reading adult fiction, I devoured Agatha Christie's cosy crime. But my heart was still on Kirrin Island, solving mysteries with the Famous Five.

Jennifer Bohnet

Books that gave one the reading bug! I’m afraid I’m going out on a limb here! I can’t remember a time when I didn’t read and neither can I remember the first books I read. The ones I remember are from when I was about ten when the reading bug was already deeply ingrained in me. But I do remember the books that really got my son reading - and also I think influenced him in one of his career choices! It was the ‘Biggles’ series of books by Capt. W.E.Johns. He positively devoured them and the Gimlet stories afterwards. The picture is of half a dozen out of his childhood collection currently sitting in my attic.

Jennifer Young

I used to worry that my favourite ever children’s book was out of print. Maybe it is: you don’t see it in the bookshops any more, which is why I cling so tightly to the tattered old copy (possibly now without its cover) that was mine when I was a child.

The Ghost of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively came out in 1973 and I must have read it when it was new. It’s about James, who moves to the country with his parents and finds himself being plagued by (and taking the blame for the actions of) a ghost disturbed during the renovation of the family’s cottage) and for some reason, it caught my attention.

Penelope Lively wrote other children’s books but they weren’t as good. She wrote acclaimed literary fiction for adults, too, and I’m afraid I didn’t think that was as good, either. It’s so long since I read it that I can’t remember what was so wonderful about it; but I do know that it’s clung in the back of my mind for decades and now, when I think of it, I remember the line drawings, the characters, the snippets of descriptions.

It’s as if by disturbing that memory, the book has come back to haunt me — almost, you might say, like the ghost of Thomas Kempe himself.

***

After a wonderful time at the RNA party (where I also had a chance to meet up with fellow Novel Points of View contributor, Gill Stewart), I am now home ... tired, happy and thoughtful. I have come to the conclusion that although life is a journey, the direction it takes is often decided by, what appears, inconsequential events. In the mid 70's, mine took a direction towards a love for fiction. Oddly, it was a fictional spider, called Charlotte, and a pig, called Wilbur, who pointed the way.

By

Victoria Cornwall

Author of The Thief's Daughter

LIVE FROM LANCASTER...

Excitement is high this week as I’m blogging live from the Romantic Novelists’ Association Conference, which this year is being held in the spacious, leafy grounds of Lancaster University. For those not familiar with Lancaster, it’s a historic city found in the North West of England, boasting a canal and imposing medieval castle. Originally a Roman fort, apparently Lancaster Castle stood as a bastion against the forces of marauding Picts and Scottish clans.

Today, however, this Scot is looking forward to spending a fantastic weekend with friends, as I signed up early to attend the best networking event of the year – the Romantic Novelists’ Association (RNA) Annual Conference.

So what makes the RNA conference so special? For me the answer’s three-fold.

Firstly, year on year the organisers offer a packed programme of talks, lectures, expert panels and

Rae, Gill and Jennifer

workshops by best-selling authors and publishing professionals at the top of their game. What a fantastic opportunity to learn what’s hot (and what’s not) in the business.

Secondly, attendees, whether published or unpublished, may opt for appointments with literary agents and editors, who provide advice/pointers on the first chapter of their novel. Critiquing gold for aspiring writers like me!

Finally, writing’s a solitary occupation, although being part of the RNA means it never truly feels that

way, and so I revel in the chance to meet up with ‘old’ friends – our own Gill Stewart and Jennifer Young are here – and to make new ones too.

So what’s happened so far?

My first choice of workshop was presented by award winning duo Liz Fenwick, who’s highly successful novels are set along the rugged Cornish coastline, and Brigid Coady, marketing professional and winner of the prestigious RNA Joan Hessayon award, who took an insightful look at author marketing, exploring the need to identify your brand, your plan, your goals. I was scribbling wildly - plenty food for thought there…

Liz Fenwick and Brigid Coady
(photo with thanks to Marie Macneill)

Next we gathered to be officially welcomed by Eileen Ramsay, our experienced RNA Chair and Jan Jones, writer and conference organiser extraordinaire.

Welcome over, it was down to business with the first of three industry appointments. Where else could an unpublished writer be granted such an amazing opportunity to have their work read and critiqued by industry professionals?   - Did I mention I love the RNA?

Today, Saturday, is also busy. With such a fantastic line-up of speakers, I feel like a child on Christmas morning, greedy to grab it all, but eventually plumped for sessions that include Alex Brown and her editor, Kate Bradley discussing what it takes to create a commercial novel; a workshop with Fiona Harper, using Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany’s as a case study to ensure the pace of a story keeps zinging along; viewing of a documentary that takes us into the multi-billion dollar romance fiction business in America; speed dating to find a critique partner… a few glasses of wine at the sparkling gala dinner!

With such a crammed itinerary there's little time left to explore Lancaster further but visiting the castle and learning of its legends has given me a taste for the area. Yet again the RNA conference is a winner, and, if the rumours of late night kitchen parties are true (I couldn't possibly comment), then Lancaster is proving to be the perfect location for writers to create tales of their own.